Acid Rain

Acid Rain
By: Priscilla Velez

What is acid rain?

Acid rain is any form of precipitation, such as snow or rain, that contains excessive amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. Acid rain may also exist in other forms such as fog and mist. When acid rain reaches the earth, it threatens bodies of water, forests, human health, and even architecture.

How is it formed?

Natural processes, such as the eruption of volcanoes, emit chemicals that result in acid rain. However, these natural processes emit very minimal amounts of these particular chemicals. The greatest culprit in the formation of acid rain is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants, factories, and automobiles. The combustion of fossil fuels releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides combine with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere, chemical reactions occur, and the end result is the formation of acidic compounds such as nitric and sulfuric acid.

What are the effects of acid rain?

1. Forest Damage: Acid rain significantly contributes to the destruction of forests in several different manners. Acid rain tends to dissolve the essential nutrients and minerals that are used by trees, preventing trees from absorbing them for critical processes. In addition, acid rain causes the release of toxic substances, such as aluminum, into soil. Acid rain also tends to cause physical damage to a tree’s leaves and branches. The loss of nutrients and damage to trees causes trees to become much vulnerable to cold temperatures, insects, and disease. Acid rain may even hinder a tree’s ability to successfully reproduce. Although all trees are susceptible to harm by acid rain, trees located in high elevations are the most threatened. This is because trees in high elevations are surrounded by fog and clouds, which may contain much more acidic levels in comparison to acid rain itself. Whether or not acid rain affects the soil of a forest depends on both the thickness and composition of the forest’s soil. Forests with particularly thick soil are better able to buffer acidity caused by acid rain as opposed to forests with thin soil.

2. Surface Waters and Aquatic Environments:  Acid rain can flow into bodies of water such as lakes, streams, and marshes. The entrance of acid rain into a body of water may decrease its pH levels, and cause it to become more acidic if the body of water is unable to buffer the acid rain. When waters become more acidic than normal, the end result may be the creation of an unstable environment that threatens the survival of particular aquatic organisms. The survival of an aquatic organism in increased acidity depends on its capacity to withstand acidic conditions. For example, frogs are able to withstand a pH of 4.0, whereas clams succumb to a pH of 6.0. Acid rain releases substances, such as aluminum, into bodies of water, which are toxic to aquatic organisms. Fish are particularly susceptible to harm by acid rain. Acidic conditions may cause fish to develop stress, which might make it difficult for them to compete for survival. Fish may also be killed from a decrease in pH levels and an increase in aluminium levels. Acidic waters may threaten food chains and biodiversity as well. When a certain species or several species disappear as a result of acidic conditions, not only does biodiversity decrease, but other species may lose their food supply.

3. Human Health: Acid rain does not directly harm human health, although the chemical pollutants responsible for acid rain pose a threat to human health. Sulfates and nitrates may cause visual impairment. When inhaled, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides may cause or worsen respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis.

4. Material Damage: Acid rain causes metals to become corroded. Paint and stone become deteriorated as a result of acid rain. The damage to materials by acid rain leads to maintenance costs and decreased values.