ACID RAIN: WE EVEN REGONICE WHEN IT HAPPEN

Last Sunday , It was rainy day . I like to play outside with my friends during rain fall.
We splashed the water to everywhere. We swam in the field like we in the pool . All our cloth is
wet and dirty . After 30 minutes we having fun with playing heavy rain , my mother ask us to
come inside because we are in cold .

The next day . my hand and my eye is so itchy and also my body temperature is increase.
My mother took me to the hospital to check up my health condition . The doctor said the rain
that I was play yesterday was being polluted by the gas of the factory behind it . So the doctor
give me the medicine to cure my dieses and a few advice to me.

On that day, I will never play outside during rainy day because now days, the rain is no
healthy or neutral anymore. That’s why, I saw many fish and frog was died on the lake beside it.
Oh!, so pity I don’t want died like that frog. But how acid rain happen and how to resolve this
pollution? let us discus the topic together. Hope all of you will enjoy reading my assignment.

INTRODUCTION

Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, i.e. elevated
levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It has harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and
infrastructure through the process of wet deposition. Acid rain is caused by emissions of
compounds of ammonia, carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur which react with the water molecules in the
atmosphere to produce acids. Governments have made efforts since the 1970's to reduce the
production of sulfuric oxides into the Earth's atmosphere with positive results. However, it can
also be caused naturally by the splitting of nitrogen compounds by the energy produced by
lightning strikes, or the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere by phenomena of volcano
eruptions.

Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen

oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is
measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline,
and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar)
has been measured in rainfall in New England.

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 HISTORY OF ACID RAIN.

Since the Industrial Revolution, emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides to the
atmosphere have increased. In 1852, Robert Angus Smith was the first to show the relationship
between acid rain and atmospheric pollution in Manchester, England.[4] Though acidic rain was
discovered in 1852, it was not until the late 1960s that scientists began widely observing and
studying the phenomenon. The term "acid rain" was generated in 1972. Canadian Harold Harvey
was among the first to research a "dead" lake. Public awareness of acid rain in the U.S increased
in the 1970s after the New York Times promulgated reports from the Hubbard Brook
Experimental Forest in New Hampshire of the myriad deleterious environmental effects
demonstrated to result from it.

Occasional pH readings in rain and fog water of well below 2.4 have been reported in
industrialized areas. Industrial acid rain is a substantial problem in Europe, China, Russia and
areas down-wind from them. These areas all burn sulfur-containing coal to generate heat and
electricity. The problem of acid rain not only has increased with population and industrial
growth, but has become more widespread. The use of tall smokestacks to reduce local pollution
has contributed to the spread of acid rain by releasing gases into regional atmospheric
circulation. Often deposition occurs a considerable distance downwind of the emissions, with
mountainous regions tending to receive the greatest deposition (simply because of their higher
rainfall). An example of this effect is the low pH of rain (compared to the local emissions) which
falls in Scandinavia.

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HOW IT HAPPEN?

"Acid rain" is a popular term referring to the deposition of wet (rain, snow, sleet, fog and
cloudwater, dew) and dry (acidifying particles and gases) acidic components. A more accurate
term is “acid deposition”.

Distilled water, once carbon dioxide is removed, has a neutral pH of 7. Liquids with a pH less
than 7 are acidic, and those with a pH greater than 7 are bases. “Clean” or unpolluted rain has a
slightly acidic pH of about 5.2, because carbon dioxide and water in the air react together to form
carbonic acid, a weak acid (pH 5.6 in distilled water), but unpolluted rain also contains other
chemicals.[1]

H2O (l) + CO2 (g) → H2CO3 (aq)

Carbonic acid then can ionize in water forming low concentrations of hydronium and carbonate
ions:

2 H2O (l) + H2CO3 (aq) CO32− (aq) + 2 H3O+ (aq)

Acid deposition as an environmental issue would include additional acids to H2CO3.

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HOW IT CAUSES ?

"Acid rain" is a broad term used to describe several ways that acids fall out of the
atmosphere. A more precise term is acid deposition, which has two parts: wet and dry. 

Wet deposition refers to acidic rain, fog, and snow. As this acidic water flows over and
through the ground, it affects a variety of plants and animals. The strength of the effects depend
on many factors, including how acidic the water is, the chemistry and buffering capacity of the
soils involved, and the types of fish, trees, and other living things that rely on the water. 

Dry deposition refers to acidic gases and particles. About half of the acidity in the
atmosphere falls back to earth through dry deposition. The wind blows these acidic particles and
gases onto buildings, cars, homes, and trees. Dry deposited gases and particles can also be
washed from trees and other surfaces by rainstorms. When that happens, the runoff water adds
those acids to the acid rain, making the combination more acidic than the falling rain alone.

Prevailing winds blow the compounds that cause both wet and dry acid deposition across
state and national borders, and sometimes over hundreds of miles. Scientists discovered, and
have confirmed, that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the primary causes of
acid rain. In the US, About 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx comes from electric power
generation that relies on burning fossil fuels like coal.

Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other
chemicals to form various acidic compounds. Sunlight increases the rate of most of these
reactions. The result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

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HOW DO WE MEASURE ACID RAIN?

Acid rain is measured using a scale called "pH." The lower a substance's pH, the more
acidic it is. Pure water has a pH of 7.0. Normal rain is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide
dissolves into it, so it has a pH of about 5.5. As of the year 2000, the most acidic rain falling in
the US has a pH of about 4.3.

Acid rain's pH, and the chemicals that cause acid rain, are monitored by two networks,
both supported by EPA. The National Atmospheric Deposition Program measures wet
deposition, and its Web site features maps of rainfall pH (follow the link to the isopleth maps)
and other important precipitation chemistry measurements.

The Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) measures dry deposition. Its web site
features information about the data it collects, the measuring sites, and the kinds of equipment it
uses

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EFFECT OF ACID RAIN ON :

HUMAN HEALTH

In the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides become sulfate and nitrate aerosols,
which increase morbidity and mortality from lung disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis, and
impacts to the cardiovascular system.

SURFACE WATER

Acidic surface waters decrease the survivability of animal life in lakes and streams and in
the more severe instances eliminate some or all types of fish and other organisms.

FOREST

Acid deposition contributes to forest degradation by impairing trees' growth and

increasing their susceptibility to winter injury, insect infestation, and drought. It also causes
leaching and depletion of natural nutrients in forest soil.

MATERIALS

Acid deposition contributes to the corrosion and deterioration of buildings, cultural

objects, and cars, which decreases their value and increases costs of correcting and repairing
damage.

VISIBILITY

In the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides form sulfate and nitrate particles,
which impair visibility and affect the enjoyment of national parks and other scenic views.

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AQUATIC SYSTEM

Although pH levels vary considerably from one body of water to another, a typical pH
range for the lakes and rivers in the United States is six to eight.

Low pH levels kill fish eggs, frog eggs, and fish food organisms. The degree of damage
depends on several factors, one of which is the buffering capacity of the watershed soil—the
higher the alkalinity, the more slowly the lakes and streams acidify. The exposure of fish to
acidified freshwater lakes and streams has been intensely studied since the 1970s. Scientists
distinguish between sudden shocks and chronic (long-term) exposure to low pH levels.

Sudden, short-term shifts in pH levels result from snowmelts, which release acidic
materials accumulated during the winter, or sudden rainstorms that can wash residual acid into
streams and lakes. The resulting acid shock can be devastating to fish and their ecosystems. At
pH levels below 4.9, damage occurs to fish eggs. At acid levels below 4.5, some species of fish
die. Below pH 3.5, most fish die within hours. (See Table 7.2.)

Gradual decreases of pH levels over time affect fish reproduction and spawning.
Moderate levels of acidity in water can confuse a salmon's sense of smell, which it uses to find
the stream from which it came. Atlantic salmon are unable to find their home streams and rivers
because of acid rain. In addition, excessive acid levels in female fish cause low amounts of
calcium, thereby preventing the production of eggs. Even if eggs are produced, their
development is often abnormal. Over time the fish population decreases while the remaining fish
population becomes older and larger.

Increased acidity can also cause the release of aluminum and manganese particles stored in a
lake or river bottom. High concentrations of these metals are toxic to fish.

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TABLE 7.2

Generalized short-term effects of acidity on fish

pH RANGE EFFECT
6.5–9 No effect
6.0–6.4 Unlikely to be harmful except when carbon dioxide levels are very high (1000 mg I 1)
5.0–5.9 Not especially harmful except when carbon dioxide levels are high (20 mg I 1) or ferric ions are present
4.5–4.9 Harmful to the eggs of salmon and trout species (salmonids) and to adult fish when levels of Ca 2, Na and Cl are
low
4.0–4.4 Harmful to adult fish of many types which have not been progressively acclimated to low pH
3.5–3.9 Lethal to salmonids, although acclimated roach can survive for longer
3.0–3.4 Most fish are killed within hours at these levels

SOIL and VEGETATION

Acid rain is believed to harm vegetation by changing soil chemistry. Soils exposed to
acid rain can gradually lose valuable nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and
become too concentrated with dissolved inorganic aluminum, which is toxic to vegetation. Long-
term changes in soil chemistry may have already affected sensitive soils, particularly in forests.
Forest soils saturated in nitrogen cannot retain other nutrients required for healthy vegetation.
Subsequently, these nutrients are washed away. The EPA reports that nitrogen saturation has
already been found in a number of regions, including northeastern forests, the Colorado Front
Range, and mountain ranges near Los Angeles, California. The same effects have been reported
in Canada and Europe. Nutrient-poor trees are more vulnerable to climatic extremes, pest
invasion, and the effects of other air pollutants, such as ozone.

Acid deposition can cause leafy plants such as lettuce to hold increased amounts of
potentially toxic substances like the mineral cadmium. Research has also found a decrease in
carbohydrate production in the photosynthesis process of some plants exposed to acid conditions.
Research is underway to determine whether acid rain could ultimately lead to a permanent
reduction in tree growth, food crop production, and soil quality. Effects on soils, forests, and
crops are difficult to measure because of the numerous species of plants and animals, the slow
rate at which ecological changes occur, and the complex interrelationships between plants and
their environment.

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AUTOMOTIVE COATINGS.

Reports of damage to automotive coverings have been increasing. The general consensus
within the automobile industry is that the damage is caused by some form of "environmental
fallout"—the term used in the automobile industry. Automakers suspect acid rain damage to
automobile paint, especially to many newer models that have clear protective overcoats.
Chemical analyses of the damaged areas of some car finishes have showed elevated levels of
SO5, implicating acid rain.

The auto industry began using clear-coat finishes in the mid-1980s. Although the new
high-gloss paints look better, complaints are mounting over marred surfaces, especially on dark-
or metallic-colored cars in the northeastern and southeastern United States. Automakers believe
that when acid rain falls on autos the moisture evaporates, leaving a permanent blemish caused
by sulfuric acid and nitric acid—the composition of acid rain. Some car dealers now offer
optional protective sealants at added expense to buyers. Higher-priced cars often include
protective sealants in the purchase price.

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PREVENTION METHOD

Technical solutions

In the United States, many coal-burning power plants use Flue gas desulfurization (FGD)
to remove sulfur-containing gases from their stack gases. An example of FGD is the wet
scrubber which is commonly used in the U.S. and many other countries. A wet scrubber is
basically a reaction tower equipped with a fan that extracts hot smoke stack gases from a power
plant into the tower. Lime or limestone in slurry form is also injected into the tower to mix with
the stack gases and combine with the sulfur dioxide present. The calcium carbonate of the
limestone produces pH-neutral calcium sulfate that is physically removed from the scrubber.
That is, the scrubber turns sulfur pollution into industrial sulfates.

In some areas the sulfates are sold to chemical companies as gypsum when the purity of
calcium sulfate is high. In others, they are placed in landfill. However, the effects of acid rain
can last for generations, as the effects of pH level change can stimulate the continued leaching of
undesirable chemicals into otherwise pristine water sources, killing off vulnerable insect and fish
species and blocking efforts to restore native life.

Automobile emissions control reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides from motor vehicles.

International treaties

A number of international treaties on the long range transport of atmospheric pollutants

have been agreed e.g. Sulphur Emissions Reduction Protocol under the Convention on Long-
Range Transboundary Air Pollution.

Emissions trading

In this regulatory scheme, every current polluting facility is given or may purchase on an
open market an emissions allowance for each unit of a designated pollutant it emits. Operators
can then install pollution control equipment, and sell portions of their emissions allowances they
no longer need for their own operations, thereby recovering some of the capital cost of their
investment in such equipment.

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CONCLUSION

Water moves through every living plant and animal, streams, lakes, and oceans in the
hydrologic cycle. Fertilizer helps stimulate the growth of algae because of the amount of
nitrogen in it. The Roman monuments cost the Romans about $200 million for acid rain repairs.
There may be no clear answer to the acid rain problem. Automobiles are the main source of
nitrogen oxide emissions, and utility factories are the main source for sulfur dioxide emissions.
The interaction between the water droplets and the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and also
from chlorine, which comes from the salt in the sea, gives rain an average pH of about 5. Marble,
limestone, and sandstone

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ENCLOSURE :

EFFECT OF ACID RAIN

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REFERENCE:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_rain

http://acidrainissues.zoomshare.com/3.html

http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/whatcauses.html

www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/acid_rain.shtml

www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-1148092.htm

Solomon,E.P.L.R Berg & D.W Martin, Biology (7th ed ), Thomson Learning, Inc,2002

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CONTENTS:

TITLE : PAGE

1.INTRODUCTION 1

2.HISTORY OF ACID RAIN. 2

3.HOW IT HAPPEN? 3

4.HOW IT CAUSES ? 4

5. HOW DO WE MEASURE ACID RAIN? 5

6.EFFECT OF ACID RAIN 6

7. PREVENTION METHOD 10

8.CONCLUSION 11

9.ENCLOSURE 12

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 BIOLOGY ASSIGMENT

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NAMA : MUHAMMAD AZLEEN BIN ISMAIL

NO. MATRIX : MS0917653612

TUTORAN : S2T3

PENSYARAH : PN AZRINA BINTI

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