A Brief Note on Causes of Acid Rain

Acid rain is made up of water droplets that are extremely acidic due to pollution in the atmosphere, most notably excessive sulphur and nitrogen emissions from automobiles and industrial activities. Because it includes other types of acidic precipitation (such as snow), acid rain is also known as acid deposition. There are two types of acid deposition: wet and dry. Any type of precipitation that removes acids from the atmosphere and deposits them on the Earth’s surface is known as wet deposition. In the absence of precipitation, harmful particles and gases adhere to the ground via dust and smoke. Even though it is dry, this type of deposition is hazardous because rain can carry pollutants into streams, lakes, and rivers. The pH level (amount of acidity or alkalinity) of the water droplets is used to determine acidity. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with a lower pH indicating acidity, a higher pH indicating alkalinity, and seven indicating neutrality.

Acid Rain Components

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are gases that naturally occur in the atmosphere of the Earth. Acidic compounds are formed when these gases combine with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the environment, such as mild sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Rain combined with these oxides is part of a natural equilibrium in nature that nourishes plants and aquatic life. Human activity, on the other hand, can increase the amount of acid-forming substances in the air, which can be detrimental to both humans and the environment.

The other key components of acid rain are nitric oxide and nitric dioxide. These nitrogen oxides, like sulphur dioxide, ascend into the atmosphere and are oxidised to generate nitric acid in clouds. These processes are also catalysed by iron, manganese, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide in extremely contaminated clouds. 

Acid deposition occurs when sulphur and nitrogen oxides, as well as hydrocarbons, are transferred into the air. Gases and particulate matter are taken into the atmosphere, where they combine with moisture and other pollutants to generate acid deposition, both dry and wet.

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide is major cause of Acid Rain

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions combine with water molecules in the atmosphere to form acids, resulting in acid rain. Since the 1970s, certain governments have worked to minimise the amount of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide released into the environment. Due to widespread research on acid rain beginning in the 1960s and widely broadcast information on its hazardous consequences, these efforts have had beneficial results. Acid rain is mostly caused by anthropogenic sulphur and nitrogen compounds, but nitrogen oxides can also be formed naturally by lightning strikes, and sulphur dioxide is produced by volcanic eruptions.Forests, freshwaters, soils, microorganisms, insects, and aquatic life-forms have all been found to be negatively affected by acid rain. Acid rain lowers tree bark durability in ecosystems, making plants more vulnerable to environmental stressors including drought, heat/cold, and pest infestation.

Acid Rain Contains Nitrogen ions and sulphur (That is released from volcanic eruptions)

Water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulphur (sulphur dioxide (SO2) (high-temperature volcanic gases) or hydrogen sulphide (H2S) (low-temperature volcanic gases), nitrogen, argon, helium, neon, methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen are the main components of volcanic gases. Oxygen (meteoric), hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen bromide, sulphur hexafluoride, carbonyl sulphide, and organic compounds have also been discovered in volcanic gases. 

Mercury, halocarbons (including CFCs), and halogen oxide radicals are examples of exotic trace chemicals. The amount of gases produced varies greatly from volcano to volcano, as well as with volcanic activity and geological setting. Water vapour is consistently the most abundant volcanic gas, accounting for more than 60% of total emissions in most cases. Carbon dioxide is responsible for 10 to 40% of all emissions. At convergent plate borders, volcanoes erupt.

What are the causes of Acid rain?

• Though most acidic precipitation is currently caused by man-made pollutants, natural calamities can still play a role. Volcanoes, for example, can generate acid rain by releasing pollutants into the atmosphere.

•  These pollutants can be swept around the world via jet streams and transformed into acid rain thousands of miles away from the volcano. Sulfur trioxide was released into the air after an asteroid purportedly wiped out the dinosaurs.

• When it hits the air, it is converted to sulfuric acid, causing acid rain to fall.Acid rain can also harm soil composition by depleting elements like calcium and magnesium.

Conclusion

Acid rain is made up of water droplets that are extremely acidic due to pollution in the atmosphere, most notably excessive sulphur and nitrogen emissions from automobiles and industrial activities. Acid Rain Components, Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are gases that naturally occur in the atmosphere of the Earth. Acidic compounds are formed when these gases combine with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the environment, such as mild sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Human activity, on the other hand, can increase the amount of acid-forming substances in the air, which can be detrimental to both humans and the environment.