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Acid Rain
Where in the World?
Acid rain is mainly a problem in developed countries, especially those with a lot of power stations which emit toxic gases.
• The countries which burn a lot of fossil fuels
• UK• North America• Europe
• Countries in Asia which are developing very fast and industrializing.
• China• India• Japan• Trade winds blow the toxic gases which create
Acid Rain from the UK to:• Norway• Sweden• Germany• Scandinavia
Causes of Acid RainAcid Rain primarily consists of two
compounds: 30 % nitric acid (chemical formula: HNO3) 70 % sulphuric acid (chemical formula:
H2SO4).
Primary Pollutants of Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide:
• Coal powered power stations• Exhausts from cars, trucks and other vehicles• Industries • Burning of Fossil Fuels
ImpactsBiosphere (Plants and Animals):
Acid Rain dissolves all the nutrients and the useful minerals for the tree to live and grow.
• Toxins (aluminum), clog the roots of the trees so they cannot soak up water to grow and to live.
• Acid clouds drain the nutrients from the leaves of the trees and plants whilst removing the wax layer which protect the leaves.
• Weakens the process of photosynthesis.• The lack of nutrients enables the plant/tree to
weaken, making the trees prone to diseases and insects which could kill them.
ImpactsLithosphere (rocks
and soil):• Acid rain dissolves
marble, ruin many famous statues and loses their features
• Buildings and houses are ruined
• Ancient monuments can never be replaced
• Repairing the damages costs billions of dollars.
Impacts
Atmosphere:
• The sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gases, causes respiratory diseases.
• asthma • chronic bronchitis. • Tiny Particles cause difficulty in breathing
for humans and animals.• This can also lead to permanent lung
damage
ImpactsHydrosphere:
• Once a pH of 7 (neutral) can fall to 4-5.
• Many fish are poisoned and die due to the acidity of the water.
• The food chain is completely interrupted. The animals which are not affected by the acidity die due to starvation.
• Humans and animals can become ill if eating a fish which is filled with toxins.
• The aluminum in the soils due to Acid rain destroys the marine plant life.
Impacts
Man:• Respiratory problems and lung damage. • Low visibility - traffic accidents.• Illnesses such as cancer, which lead to
the deaths of many lives. • Farmers can be become unemployed as
the crops are not well nourished • Companies need to pay millions of
dollars to repair any building damages due to the acid rain.
Solutions
Short Term
• Limestone to neutralize the acid to decrease acid levels
• Use public transport or carpool to reduce the emissions from the car exhaust.
• “Catalytic converters” change the toxic gases into less polluting gases which reduces risk of lung illnesses.
Solutions
Long Term:This is an international problem• countries need to make agreements.• Sulphur and nitrogen gas emissions
should be reduced • Decrease of burning of fossil fuels.• Alternative energy sources