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Acid Rain Acidification ......................... 1 The pH scale

Ocean Acidification ................................. 5 The pH scale is a measure of how
acidic or basic (alkaline) a solution is.
Acid Rain Acidification It ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is
neutral. Page
Acid rain refers to any precipitation A pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH
(rain, fog, mist, snow) that is more greater than 7 is basic. |1
acidic than normal (pH of less than 5.6. It is based on hydrogen ion
[pH below 7 = acidic]). concentration in an aqueous solution.
Acid rain is caused by atmospheric pH values decreases as hydrogen ion
pollution from acidic gases such as levels increases.
sulphur dioxide and oxides of
A solution with pH 4 is ten times more
nitrogen emitted from burning of fossil
acidic than solution with pH 5, and a
fuels.
hundred times more acidic than
It is also recognized that acidic smog, solution with pH 6.
fog, mist, move out of the atmosphere
Whilst the pH range is usually given as
and settle on dust particles which in
0 to 14, lower and higher values are
turn accumulate on vegetation as acid
theoretically possible.
depositions. When rain falls, the acid
from these depositions leak and form Acidic gases and their emission
acid dews.
sources
Acidic gases Source
CO2 (Carbon dioxide) Fossil fuel burning, industrial process, respiration.
CH4 (Methane) Paddy fields, wetlands, gas drilling, landfills, decomposition of
animals wastes and carcasses.
CO (Carbon monoxide) Biomass burning, Industrial sources: smelting of iron ore,
Biogenesis, Plant isoprene's.
SO. (Sulphur oxides) Fossil fuel burning, power plants, smelting of metal sulfide ores,
industrial sources, industrial production of sulfuric acid in
metallurgical, chemical and fertilizer industries volcanoes, seas
and oceans, decomposition of organic matter.
NO. (nitrogen oxides) Fossil fuel burning, lightening, biomass burning, forest fires,
oceans, power plants.
Formic acid (HCOOH) Biomass burning due to forest fires causes emission of formic
acid (HCOOH) and formaldehyde (HCHO) into the atmosphere.
Large fraction formaldehyde gets photo oxidation and forms
formic acid in the atmosphere.
Carbonic acid (H2CO3) Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide dissolve in water (water
vapor) to form carbonic acid.
Q1. Acid rain is caused by the pollution Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides
of environment by of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur in
atmosphere can cause acid rains.
a) carbon dioxide and nitrogen
b) carbon monoxide and carbon Both b) and d) are correct. But d) has
dioxide more influence than b)
c) ozone and carbon dioxide
d) nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide Answer: d) nitrous oxide and sulphur
dioxide
Explanation:

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Types Of Acid Deposition gases (like NH3) to produce H2SO4

"Acid rain" is a broad term referring to
a mixture of wet and dry deposition
(form of deposition material) from the
atmosphere.
Wet Deposition
(sulphuric acid) and HNO3 (nitric acid)
by oxidation.
Acid rain containing ions of sulfate,
nitrate, ammonium and hydrogen
falls as wet deposition. Page
|2

If the acid chemicals in the air are

blown into areas where the weather is
wet, the acids can fall to the ground in
the form of rain, snow, fog, or mist.
As this acidic water flows over and
through the ground, it affects a variety
of plants and animals.

Dry Deposition

In areas where the weather is dry, the

acid chemicals may become
incorporated into dust or smoke and
fall to the ground through dry
deposition, sticking to the ground,
buildings, vegetation, cars, etc.
Dry deposited gases and particles can
be washed from these surfaces by
rainstorms, through runoff. This runoff
water makes the resulting mixture
more acidic.
About half of the acidity in the
atmosphere falls back to earth through Credits:
http://www.eoearth.org/files/185201_185300/185228/precip-
dry deposition. chem.jpg

Chemistry of Acid Rain

Six basic steps are involved in the
formation of acid rain:

The atmosphere receives oxides of

sulfur and nitrogen from natural and
man-made sources.
Some of these oxides fall back directly Harmful effects of acid rain
to the ground as dry deposition, either
close to the place of origin or some Acid precipitation affects both aquatic
distance away. and terrestrial organisms. It also
Sunlight stimulates the formation of damages buildings and monuments.
photo-oxidants (such as ozone) in the
atmosphere. Effects on humans
These photo-oxidants interact with the
oxides of sulfur and nitrogen and other Acid rain affects human health is a
number of ways.

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The obvious ones are bad smells, decrease the rate of decomposition.
reduced visibility; irritation of the skin, The nitrate level of the soil is also
eyes and the respiratory tract. found to decrease.
Some direct effects include chronic The impact of acid rain on soil is less in
bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and India; because Indian soils are mostly
cancer. alkaline, with good buffering ability. Page
Some indirect effects include food
poisoning vis a vis drinking water and Effects on aquatic life |3
food. The pH of the medium is very
An increase in the levels of toxic heavy- important for metabolic processes of
metals like manganese, copper, aquatic organisms.
cadmium and aluminium also Eggs or sperms of fish, frogs and other
contribute to the detrimental effects on aquatic organisms are sensitive to pH
human health. changes.
Effects on soil Acid rain kills their gametes affecting
the life cycles and productivity. Death
The exchange between hydrogen ions or their inability to increase in
and the nutrient cations like potassium numbers causes severe ecosystem
and magnesium in the soil cause imbalances.
leaching of the nutrients, making the Acidic lake waters may kill
soil infertile. This is accompanied by a bacteria/microbes/planktons and the
decrease in the respiration of soil acidic lakes become unproductive and
organisms. life less. Such acidic and lifeless
An increase in ammonia in the soil due ponds/lakes adversely affect fisheries
to a decrease in other nutrients and livelihood.
Naturally acidic lakes Anthropogenically acidified lakes
Brown to yellow colour caused by Very clear water caused by reduced primary
humic substances productivity
Concentrations of dissolved Dissolved organic carbon concentrations are low.
organic carbon are high while Whereas the transparency is high.
transparency is low
Low pH but well buffered. Poorly buffered
Abound with aquatic life. Some of the more sensitive taxa, such as blue-green
algae, some bacteria, snails, mussels crustaceans,
mayflies and fish either decrease or /are eliminated.
Effect on terrestrial life Absorption of these toxic metal ions by
plants/microorganisms affect their
Acid rain damage cuticle of plant metabolism.
leaves resulting etiolation (pale and weak) Acid rain can directly affect the eggs
of foliage. This in turn reduces and tadpoles of frogs and salamanders
photosynthesis. that breed in small forest ponds.
Reduced photosynthesis accompanied It has been postulated that acid rain
by leaf fall reduces plant and crop can indirectly affect wildlife by allowing
productivity. metals bound on soils and sediments to
Acidic medium promotes leaching of be released into the aquatic
heavy metals like aluminum, lead and environment, where toxic substances
mercury. Such metals when percolate may be ingested by animals, like birds,
into ground water affect soil micro that feed in such an environment.
flora/fauna.

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Other indirect effects of acid rain on and an increase in fungal disease in

wildlife are loss or alteration of food aquatic life and forests.
and habitat resources.
Effects on forests
Effects on micro organisms
Acid rains kill vegetation and causes
pH determines the proliferation of any severe damage to the forest landscape. Page
microbial species in a particular
Effect on buildings, monuments and |4
environment and the rate at which it
can produce. materials
The optimum pH of most bacteria and Many old, historic, ancient buildings
protozoa is near neutrality; most fungi and works of art/textile etc. are
prefer an acidic environment, most adversely affected by acid rain.
blue-green bacteria prefer an alkaline Limestone and marble are destroyed by
environment. acid rain. Smoke and soot cover such
So after a long run of acid rain, objects. They slowly dissolve/flake
microbial species in the soil and water away the surfaces because of acid
shift from bacteria-bound to fungi- fumes in the air. Many
bound and cause an imbalance in the buildings/monuments such as Taj
micro flora. Mahal in Agra have suffered from acid
This causes a delay in the rain.
decomposition of soil organic material,
Material Type of Impact Principal Air Pollutants
Metals Corrosion, tarnishing Sulphur Oxides and other acid gases
Paints and organic Surface erosion, discoloration, Sulphur dioxides, hydrogen sulphide
coatings soiling
Textiles Fading, colour change Nitrogen oxides, ozone
Leather Weakening, powdered surface Sulphur oxides
Rubber Cracking Ozone
Trigger Effect of Acid Rain on Aluminium
Pollutants Acidified waters are known to leach
substantial amounts of aluminium
A low pH of the rainwater and
from watersheds.
subsequent increased acidity in the
Even at relatively low levels, aluminium
environment can trigger off or
has been implicated in dialysis
aggravate the effects of certain harmful
dementia, a disorder of the central
pollutants.
nervous system, which may be toxic to
Mercury individuals with impaired kidney
function.
Methyl mercury and related short chain
alkyl mercurial compounds are most Cadmium
dangerous to humans, as they
Cadmium can enter the drinking water
accumulate in edible fish tissue.
supply through corrosion of galvanized
Although acid deposition may not
pipe or from the copper-zinc solder
increase the production of methyl
used in the distribution systems.
mercury, it may increase the
A decrease in water pH from 6.5 to 4.5
partitioning of methyl mercury into the
can result in a fivefold increase in
water column.
cadmium and could cause renal
The use of lime has helped in reducing
tubular damage.
the mercury levels in fish.

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Lead
Foetuses and infants are highly
susceptible to drinking water lead
contamination.
High blood lead levels in children (>30
mug/ Ml) are believed to induce
biochemical and neurophysiological
dysfunction.
However, lower than normal blood
levels of lead can cause mental
deficiencies and behavioural problems.
Asbestos
Asbestos in natural rock can be
released by acidic waters.
Acid Rain Areas
They are concentrated in the
industrialized belt of the northern
hemisphere.
They are often upland and/or
mountainous areas, which are well-
watered by rain and snow.
Due to the abundance of water, they
possess numerous lakes and streams
and also have more land covered with
vegetation. Being upland, they often
have thin soils and glaciated bedrock.
Many parts of Scandinavia, Canada,
the North and Northeast United States
and Northern Europe (particularly West
Germany and upland Britain) share
these features.
Across the Atlantic there are number of
acid rain hot spots including Nova
Scotia, Southern Ontario and Quebec
in Canada, the Adirondack Mountains
in New York, Great Smoky mountains,
parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the
Colorado Rockies of the US.
In India
In India, the first report of acid rain
came from Bombay in 1974. Instances
of acid rain are being reported from
metropolitan cities.
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In India, the annual SO2 emission has
almost doubled in the last decade due
to increased fossil fuel consumption.
Lowering of soil pH is reported from
north-eastern India, coastal Karnataka
and Kerala, parts of Orissa, West Page
Bengal and Bihar.
|5
Indicators
Lichens serve as good bio-indicators
for air pollution.
In the variety of pH around 6.0, several
animals, those are important food
items for fish decline. These include the
freshwater shrimp, crayfish, snails and
some small mussels.
Acid Rain Control
Any procedure that shall reduce,
minimize, or halt emission of sulphur
and nitrogen oxides into the
atmosphere shall control acid rain.
Use of low sulphur fuel or natural gas
or washed coal (chemical washing of
pulverized coal) in thermal plants can
reduce incidences of acid rain.
Buffering - the practice of adding a
neutralizing agent to the acidified water
to increase the pH is one of the
important control measures. Usually
lime in the form of calcium oxide and
calcium carbonate is used.
Ocean Acidification
Ocean acidification has been called the
evil twin of global warming and the
other CO2 problem.
Ocean acidification is the ongoing
decrease in the pH of the Earth's
oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon
dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
An estimated 3040% of the carbon
dioxide from human activity released
into the atmosphere dissolves into
oceans, rivers and lakes.
To achieve chemical equilibrium, some
of it reacts with the water to form
carbonic acid.
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Some of these extra carbonic acid
molecules react with a water molecule
to give a bicarbonate ion and a
hydronium ion, thus increasing ocean
acidity (H+ ion concentration).
Checking CO and CO2 emissions and
controlling pollution are the only
means to reduce ocean acidification.
Other contributors
Acid rain can have a pH between 1 and
6 and has impact on surface ocean
chemistry. It has major effect on ocean
acidification locally and regionally but
very small globally.
Eutrophication leads to large plankton
blooms, and when these blooms
collapse and sink to the sea bed the
subsequent respiration of bacteria
decomposing the algae leads to a
decrease in sea water oxygen and an
increase in CO2 (a decline in pH).
Effects of Ocean Acidification
Oceans are an important reservoir for
CO2, absorbing a significant quantity
of it (one-third) produced by
anthropogenic activities and effectively
buffering climate change.
The uptake of atmospheric carbon
dioxide is occurring at a rate exceeding
the natural buffering capacity of the
oceans creating new problems in the
form of ocean acidification.
1. Increasing acidity depresses metabolic
rates and immune responses in some
organisms.
2. Other chemical reactions are triggered
which result in a net decrease in the
amount of carbonate ions available.
This makes it more difficult for marine
calcifying organisms, such as coral
(calcareous corals) and some plankton
(calcareous plankton), to form biogenic
calcium carbonate.
3. Commercial fisheries are threatened
because acidification harms calcifying
organisms which form the base of the
Arctic food webs.
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4. Acidification could damage the Arctic
tourism economy and affect the way of
life of indigenous peoples. A major
pillar of Arctic tourism is the sport
fishing and hunting industry.
5. Increasing acidity accentuates coral
Page
bleaching as corals are very sensitive to
changes in water composition. |6
How ocean acidification effects
calcifying ability
Seawater absorbs CO2 to produce
carbonic acid, bicarbonate and
carbonate ions.
The carbonate ions are essential to the
calcification process that allows certain
marine organisms to build their
calcium carbonate shells and skeletons
(e.g. hard tropical corals, cold water
corals, molluscs, crustaceans, sea
urchins, certain types of plankton,
lobsters, etc.).
However, increase in atmospheric CO2
levels lead to decrease in pH level,
increase in the concentration of
carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions,
causing a decrease in the concentration
of carbonate ions.
Thus carbonate ions are less available
and calcification is therefore harder to
achieve, and may be prevented
altogether.
Saturation horizons
Deep, cold ocean waters are naturally
under saturated with carbonate ions
causing the shells of most calcifying
organisms to dissolve.
Surface waters are oversaturated with
carbonate ions and do not readily
dissolve shells of calcifying organisms.
The saturation horizon is the level
below which calcium carbonate
minerals undergo dissolution.
Those organisms that can survive
below the saturation horizon do so due
to special mechanisms to protect their
calcium carbonate from dissolving.
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As ocean acidification causes this
horizon to rise vertically (upwelling) in
the water column so more and more
calcifying organisms will be exposed to
under saturated water and thus
vulnerable to dissolution of their shells
and skeletons.
Impact of Ocean Acidification on
Cloud Formation
2) The growth and survival of coral reefs
will be adversely affected.
3) The survival of some animals that
have phytoplanktonic larvae will be
adversely affected.
4) The cloud seeding and formation of
Page
clouds will be adversely affected.
|7
Which of statements given above is / are
correct?

a) 1, 2 and 3 only
The majority of sulfur in the b) 2 only
atmosphere is emitted from the ocean, c) 1 and 3 only
often in the form of dimethylsulfide d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(DMS) produced by phytoplankton.
But in acidified ocean water, Explanation:
phytoplankton produce less DMS. This
reduction of sulfur may lead to We have already learnt that ocean
decreased cloud formation, raising acidification decreases the calcifying
global temperatures. ability of corals, calcareous plankton,
Some of DMS enters the atmosphere crustaceans etc. It also adversely affects
and reacts to make sulphuric acid, cloud formation and cloud seeding. So
which clumps into aerosols, or Options 1, 2 and 4 are correct.
microscopic airborne particles. Answer: d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Aerosols seed the formation of clouds,
which help cool the Earth by reflecting
sunlight.

Artificial Cloud seeding

Cloud seeding is the process of

spreading either dry ice, or more
commonly, silver iodide aerosols, into
the upper part of clouds to try to
stimulate the precipitation process and
form rain.
Since most rainfall starts through the
growth of ice crystals from super-cooled
cloud droplets in the upper parts of
clouds, the silver iodide particles are
meant to encourage the growth of new
ice particles.

Q2. The acidification of oceans is

increasing. Why is this phenomenon a
cause of concern?
1) The growth and survival of calcareous
phytoplankton will be adversely
affected.

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