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Acid rain
Acid rain is a broad term, it refers to any form of precipitation (rainfall or snow) that contains acidic components, in high proportions. These so-called acidic components mainly refer to sulfuric and nitric acids.
What causes it?
Acid rain forms when sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gases are emitted into the atmosphere. The air currents in the atmosphere then transport the gases and they react with spare oxygen molecules to form nitric and sulfuric acids. These acids then mix with water vapour molecules in the atmosphere and clouds, and then fall to the ground as snow or rain.
Acid rain can be formed by natural sources, including the production of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide from volcanic eruptions and de-gassing. However, as expected the largest source of these gases is from human production, including the burning of fossil fuels. In fact, roughly 66% of sulphur dioxide, and 25% of nitrogen oxide come from the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity.
Other sources include vehicles, machinery and waste from the manufacturing and oil industries.
How does it affect us?
Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide are transported by wind and air currents over long distances, and across borders, this means acid rain can form anywhere and is therefore a global problem we all face. The most greatly affected regions are those that are aquatic. Acid rain is harmful to fish and aquatic wildlife as it affects the pH of the water, a lower and more acidic pH prevents fish eggs from hatching.
Acid rain also kills trees and acid-sensitive plants, the acid rain leads to leaching of the aluminium in soil which is harmful to plants, and some animals. The rain also leaches other minerals and nutrients that trees and plants rely on to grow. This sadly means that acid rain leaves a trail of dead and dying trees wherever it forms. It can also travel in fog; it reacts with the water vapour molecules and is transported through the lower atmosphere. This fog can strip trees of their leaves and nutrients,
making it impossible for them to photosynthesize or grow.
Acid rain does not just affect earth’s vital ecosystems, it also impacts humans and our materials. When acid rain falls over towns and cities it lands on statues, buildings and other manmade structures and it starts to corrode the metal, stone, and paint. The outer layer of these manmade structures becomes stripped away, leaving them more vulnerable to future damage. While the pH of acid rain is too high still to create direct damage to human skin, it does have a series of indirect effects. Mainly due to the presence of the toxic chemicals sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which have been linked with reduction in air quality and the occurrence of breathing related issues such as asthma and bronchitis.
What causes it?
Acid rain forms when sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gases are emitted into the atmosphere. The air currents in the atmosphere then transport the gases and they react with spare oxygen molecules to form nitric and sulfuric acids. These acids then mix with water vapour molecules in the atmosphere and clouds, and then fall to the ground as snow or rain.
Acid rain can be formed by natural sources, including the production of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide from volcanic eruptions and de-gassing. However, as expected the largest source of these gases is from human production, including the burning of fossil fuels. In fact, roughly 66% of sulphur dioxide, and 25% of nitrogen oxide come from the burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity.
Other sources include vehicles, machinery and waste from the manufacturing and oil industries.
How does it affect us?
Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide are transported by wind and air currents over long distances, and across borders, this means acid rain can form anywhere and is therefore a global problem we all face. The most greatly affected regions are those that are aquatic. Acid rain is harmful to fish and aquatic wildlife as it affects the pH of the water, a lower and more acidic pH prevents fish eggs from hatching.
Acid rain also kills trees and acid-sensitive plants, the acid rain leads to leaching of the aluminium in soil which is harmful to plants, and some animals. The rain also leaches other minerals and nutrients that trees and plants rely on to grow. This sadly means that acid rain leaves a trail of dead and dying trees wherever it forms. It can also travel in fog; it reacts with the water vapour molecules and is transported through the lower atmosphere. This fog can strip trees of their leaves and nutrients,
making it impossible for them to photosynthesize or grow.
Acid rain does not just affect earth’s vital ecosystems, it also impacts humans and our materials. When acid rain falls over towns and cities it lands on statues, buildings and other manmade structures and it starts to corrode the metal, stone, and paint. The outer layer of these manmade structures becomes stripped away, leaving them more vulnerable to future damage. While the pH of acid rain is too high still to create direct damage to human skin, it does have a series of indirect effects. Mainly due to the presence of the toxic chemicals sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which have been linked with reduction in air quality and the occurrence of breathing related issues such as asthma and bronchitis.
What can we do?
There are ways to reduce the production of acid rain, and there has already been success in their reduction, here are a few tips of how you can help:
1. Reduce your vehicle pollution: this is one of the simplest and easiest tips. By reducing the number of trips, you take in your car you massively reduce the amount of harmful chemicals being released. Try reducing the number of single person car trips you take or try an alternative method of transport such as cycling, walking, or taking the train.
2. Recycle and do not burn your waste: in some homes people burn their waste, including plastic, to get rid of it more easily. Try recycling your plastics instead so that they can be re-used, and those toxic fumes will not be released from the burning.
3. Switch your fuel/energy: an excellent way to have an overall positive impact on our environment and prevent acid rain formation is to switch to renewable energy. By switching to solar, wind or even water energy you can make a huge difference.
4. Turn your appliances off/control your usage: try to use your electrical appliances less! This could be anything from turning off your lights, to hand washing your clothes rather than using the washing machine. Every little reduction in energy consumption helps.
5. Plant trees! Here at Become Carbon Negative we offset carbon emissions by planting trees. These trees would also replace those damaged or killed by acid rain.
There are ways to reduce the production of acid rain, and there has already been success in their reduction, here are a few tips of how you can help:
1. Reduce your vehicle pollution: this is one of the simplest and easiest tips. By reducing the number of trips, you take in your car you massively reduce the amount of harmful chemicals being released. Try reducing the number of single person car trips you take or try an alternative method of transport such as cycling, walking, or taking the train.
2. Recycle and do not burn your waste: in some homes people burn their waste, including plastic, to get rid of it more easily. Try recycling your plastics instead so that they can be re-used, and those toxic fumes will not be released from the burning.
3. Switch your fuel/energy: an excellent way to have an overall positive impact on our environment and prevent acid rain formation is to switch to renewable energy. By switching to solar, wind or even water energy you can make a huge difference.
4. Turn your appliances off/control your usage: try to use your electrical appliances less! This could be anything from turning off your lights, to hand washing your clothes rather than using the washing machine. Every little reduction in energy consumption helps.
5. Plant trees! Here at Become Carbon Negative we offset carbon emissions by planting trees. These trees would also replace those damaged or killed by acid rain.
