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Acid rain, often known as acid deposition, refers to any type of precipitation that contains acidic components like sulfuric acid or nitric acid. Dust, gases, rain, snow, fog, and hail are all included in the concept of precipitation, which does not have to be wet or liquid. Wet deposition is a type of acid rain that contains water. Dry deposition refers to acid rain that is generated from dust or fumes.
Rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it contains high levels of hydrogen ions, is known as acid rain (low pH). The pH of most water, including drinking water, is 6.5-8.5, whereas acid rain has a pH of 4-5 on average. The pH of acid rain decreases as it becomes more acidic. Acid rain has the potential to harm vegetation, aquatic animals, and infrastructure.
Definition of Acid Rain
“Acid rain, also known as acid deposition, refers to any kind of precipitation that contains acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that falls to the ground wet or dry from the atmosphere. Acidic rain, snow, fog, hail, and even dust are examples.”
The emission of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are both components of smog and acid rain. Sulphur dioxide is produced when coal and oil are burned. It has a strong odour. Power plants are the primary sources of SO2. It causes plants to lose a lot of water.
This air contaminant lowers plant quality and reduces plant production. Crop yields are declining. When sulphur dioxide interacts with other pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen, fluorides, and so on, it becomes much more toxic.
When power plants burn fossil fuels like coal to generate electricity, they release the bulk of sulphur dioxide and a significant amount of nitrogen oxides. Automobiles, trucks, and buses also produce nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide into the air. Acid rain is caused by these substances.
Acid Rain Is Harmful to Animals, Plants And The Monuments
Acid rain is likely to harm a wide range of animals and plants. As a result, the food web as a whole is harmed. Insects that consume phytoplankton have less food to eat now, and they start to perish as a result. Acid rain-affected landscapes are messed up with dead or dying trees. Aluminium is leached from the soil by acid rain. Aluminium may be wasteful to both plants and animals. Acid rain also uses up the soil of minerals and nutrients that trees require to thrive.
Acid rain corrodes metal and erodes the materials that make up buildings and monuments, causing them to decay. Architects utilised sturdy materials like limestone, marble, steel, and brass to withstand the elements.
Nitrogen And Sulphuric Compound Wastes Unethically
The burning of fossil fuels, as well as unethical waste disposal procedures, are all examples of unethical waste disposal.
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are both oxidised before reacting with water to produce sulphuric acid and nitric acid, respectively. The acid generation reaction will be clarified by the following reaction:
2SO2 (g) + O2 + 2H2O → 2H₂SO4
4NO2 (g) + O2 + 2H2O → 4HNO3
Acid Rain Prevention
- For home use, purchase or install renewable energy.
- Switch to lawn mowers and edgers that are powered by batteries or electricity.
- Make the switch to an electric fireplace or stove (not gas or wood-burning)
- Invest on an electric barbecue (not gas or wood)
- Reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emitted into the atmosphere.
- Fuels that are less polluting should be used.
- Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) is a process that removes sulphur from flue gases.
- Make use of renewable energy sources.
Conclusion
In this article we studied that, Acid rain, also known as acid deposition, is a general phrase that refers to any type of precipitation that contains acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid, and falls to the ground in wet or dry form from the atmosphere. Electricity generation without the usage of fossil fuels is a fantastic way to avoid acid rain. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power can still be used. Because they emit far less pollution, renewable energy sources aid in the reduction of acid rain.
