Acid rain : Causes, Effects, solution

 

What is Acid Rain: Causes, Effects, Solutions?

1. What is Acid Rain?

• The acid rain is a form of precipitation which may be fog or snow in which excessive acid like sulphuric or nitric acids are present.
• The rainwater with a PH of less than 5.5 is called acid rain.
• It can be harmful to plants, aquatic animals and human beings.
• The two gases which are mainly responsible for causing acid rain are Oxides of Sulphur (SO₂) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NO₂).
• When SO₂ and NO₂ are present in access amount in the atmosphere mixes or reacts with rainwater, they form sulphuric acid and nitric acid, respectively. These acids decrease the PH value of rain to less than 5.5 and make it acidic.

2. Causes of Acid Rain

The essential reasons for acid rain are as follows:

• Burning of fossil fuel
• Exhaust from automobiles
• Volcanic eruption

3. Sources of Acid Rain

(a) Sulphur

(i) Natural sources:

• Seas and oceans,
• Volcanic eruptions,
• Biological processes in the soil

(ii) Man-made sources:

• Burning of coal 
• Petroleum products
• Smelting of metal sulfide ores
• Industrial production of Sulfuric acid

(b) Nitrogen

(i) Natural sources:

• Lightening,
• Volcanic Eruption and
• Biological Activity

(ii) Anthropogenic sources:

• Forest fires
• Combustion of oil, coal, and gas

(c) Formic Acid

(d) Other Acid

4. Effects of Acid Rain

• Effects on plants: Acid rain erodes the waxy coating of plants damages the vegetation.
• Effects on soil: Acid rain makes the soil acidic and infertile.
• Effects on aquatic animals: Acid rain decreases the PH level of water bodies below 5.5 and makes them acidic. Results in the death of marine animals.
• Effects on Monuments and Buildings: Acid rain reacts with the marble and other elements on the outer wall and makes them dull and yellowish (Ex - Tajmahal).
• Surface and groundwater also get affected.

5. Solutions for Acid Rain

• Reducing the burning of fossil fuels.
• Use of eco-friendly measures in the automobile industry.
• Plantation of trees.
• Spreading awareness through various means.