Environmental+Effects+of+Acid+Rain



Rain is naturally acidic (ph5.65) due to the pressenceof carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that can dissolve to form carbonic acid. When it becomes more acidic than this has a massive environmental impact.

Stone and Buildings: Any rock that contains calcium carbonate such as limestone or marble will react with acids to form soluable salts, water and carbon dioxide. They are eroded.

Water: Fish and other aquatic life are very sensitve to acidity. They cannot live in water below a certain PH.

Plant Life: Increased acidity in the soil mean tha plants are not able to gow or do not grow properly.

Drinking Water: Increased acidity can lead to lung problems and irratation of the throat. Also the acidity can cause reactions with metal pipes than increase the level of metal ions in the water, leading to diseases like Alzheimers.

To reduce the effects of acid rain on the environment the following procedures have been proposed: 1. Removing sulfur dioxide from coal emissions using fluidized beds. 2.Removing nitrogn dioxide from petrol combustion by using catalytic converters. 3.Using more renewable forms of energy. 4. Making power stations and cars more efficient so that they use less coal and petrol. 5.Encouraging the use of public transport in high population density reduces the emissions of these gases. 6.Adding calcuim oxide base (lime) to soil or water to neutralize the acid.