5 paragraph essay about acid rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic , meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions low pH. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide , which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. Some governments have made efforts since the s [1] to reduce the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere with positive results. Nitrogen oxides can also be produced naturally by lightning strikes, and sulfur dioxide is produced by volcanic eruptions.
Causes and Effects of Acid Rain
Pssst… we can write an original essay just for you. Precipitation or rain with a high concentration of acids produced by, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and other such gases which result from the combustion of fossil fuels. This has a destructive effect on buildings, aquatic life, and plant. Certain pollutants in the air made the rain acidic and now the rain is called acid rain.
Acid rain is a type of acid deposition. It can appear in many forms. Rain, fog, snow, or sleet which is wet deposition that has become more acidic than normal.
Another form of acid deposition, is dry deposition. This is when dust particle and gaseous become acidic. Sometimes for very long distances, both dry and wet deposition can be carried by the wind. Acid deposition in dry and wet forms falls on tress, cars, and buildings can make lakes acidic. People can inhale acid deposition in dry form and this can cause health problems in some people.
Due to the dissolution of carbon dioxide forming weak carbonic acid, rain is naturally acidic. Rain that has a higher hydrogen ion concentration than about M is referred as acid rain.
Due to the dissolution of acidic oxides in the atmosphere, acid rain occurs. Geothermal hot springs, industrial processes and volcanoes produce sulphur dioxide by metal extraction from sulphide ores and burning fossil fuels such as brown coal. Nitrogen dioxide is the other major acidic oxide that contributes to the formation of acid rain. In high localised temperatures, nitric oxide is formed.
To produce nitrogen dioxide, lightning strikes and naturally reacts in the atmosphere. In the high temperatures of combustion chambers of power stations and motor vehicles, nitrogen dioxide is also produced.
The reaction between sulphurous acid and oxygen to form sulfuric acid is catalyse by the substances in the upper atmosphere. The reaction between nitrous acid and oxygen is catalyst by the substances in the atmosphere causing the formation of more nitric acid. Both nitric acid and sulfuric acid are soluble in water.
They are the major acids present in acid rain. Chemical gas emissions such as nitrogen and sulphur which are leaded by human activities are the primary contributors to acid rain. The activities include air pollution sources emitting nitrogen and sulphur gases like automobiles, power generation facilities, and factories. The biggest contributor to gaseous emissions leading to acid rain is in particular, use of coal for electrical power generation. High scores of gaseous emissions on daily basis into the air also release by factories and automobiles especially in highly industrialized areas and urban regions with large amount of car traffic.
To form various acidic compounds such as nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, and sulfuric acid, these gases react in the atmosphere with oxygen, water, and other chemicals. These areas experience exceedingly high amounts of acid rain, as a result. These acidic compounds are blow by existing wind over large areas across borders.
Then they will fall back to the ground in other form of precipitation or of acid rain. Primarily gases occurring from electric power generation such as nitrogen oxides NOx and sulphur dioxide SO2 are responsible for acid rain.
Volcanic emissions is the major natural causal agent for acid rain. To create higher than normal amounts of acid rain or any other form of precipitation such as snow and fog to an extent of affecting health of residents and vegetation cover within the surrounding is caused by acid producing gases is emitted by volcanoes. The acid rain forming gases is also generated by biological processes within the environment, wildfires and decaying vegetation.
A typical example of a major biological contributor to sulphur containing elements into the atmosphere is dimethyl sulphide. Lighting strikes also naturally produces nitric oxides.
It reacts with water molecules by electrical activity to produce nitric acid. This will form acid rain. Acid rain can also have a damaging effect on many objects, including cars, monuments statues and buildings.
Paint begins to peel of and stone statues to begin to appear old and worn down, which reduces their beauty and value because of the chemicals found in acid rain. Soil biology and chemistry is highly impacts by acid rain. Due to the effects of acid rain, biological activity and soil microbes as well as soil chemical compositions such as soil pH are damaged or reversed.
For the continuity of biological activity, the soil needs to maintain an optimum pH level. Higher soil pH, which damages or reverses soil chemical and biological activities when acid rains seep into the soil. Hence, soil microorganisms that are sensitive that cannot adapt to changes in pH will be killed. Nutrients and vital minerals such as magnesium and calcium are leach away by hydrogen ions of acid rain. Forests can be extremely harmed by acid rain.
Acid rain that enters the ground can dissolve nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium that is need by tress to be healthy. Aluminium is being released into the soil which is caused by acid rain. This make it very difficult for the trees to take up water. Trees such as fir trees or spruce that are located in mountainous regions at higher elevations are at greater risk because they are exposed to acidic fog and clouds, which contain greater amounts of acid than rain or snow.
This loss of nutrients makes it easier for infections, insects, and cold weather to damage trees and forests. Nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide gases when in atmosphere, their particulate matter derivatives like nitrates and sulphates, degrades visibility.
This can cause accidents, leading to injuries and deaths. Acid rain does not directly affect human health. This is because acid rain water is very dilute to cause serious health problems. However, also known as gaseous particulates in the air, the dry depositions which in this case are nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide can cause serious health problems when inhaled.
Major sources of the pollutants that cause acid rain are trucks and cars. Therefore, car manufacturers are required to reduce the amount of other pollutants and nitrogen oxides released by new cars. Catalytic converter is a type of technology used in cars. To reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides released by cars this piece of equipment has been used for over 20 years.
Cleaner fuels, such as natural gas can also be used by new cars. There is a wide range of alternative energy sources, besides fossil fuels that can generate electrical power.
These include nuclear power, hydropower, solar energy, geothermal energy, and wind energy. Instead of using fossil fuels, harnessing these energy sources can offer effective electrical power alternatives.
Batteries, natural gas, and fuel cells also substitute use of fossil fuel as cleaner energy sources. All energy sources have economic costs and environmental as well as benefits, as of today. Using sustainable energy that can protect the future is the only solution. By conserving energy, individuals can also help prevent acid rain. Vehicles are also major fossil fuel users. By using public transportation, simply walking wherever possible, biking, or carpooling, drivers can reduce emissions.
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The Effects Of Acid Rain Environmental Sciences Essay. words (4 pages) Essay in Environmental Sciences. 5/12/16 Environmental Sciences Reference this. These acids are released into the atmosphere as rain.
Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation that contains acidic components, such as sulfuric acid or nitric acid, according to the Environmental Protection Agency EPA. The precipitation is not necessarily wet or liquid; the definition includes dust, gasses, rain, snow, fog and hail. The type of acid rain that contains water is called wet deposition.
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Simply put, it means rain that is acidic in nature due to the presence of certain pollutants in the air due to cars and industrial processes. It is easily defined as rain, fog, sleet or snow that has been made acidic by pollutants in the air as a result of fossil fuel and industrial combustions that mostly emits Nitrogen Oxides NOx and Sulfur Dioxide SO2.
One world essay acid rain
What is Acid Rain? Acid rain is a result of air pollution. When any type of fuel is burnt, lots of different chemicals are produced. The smoke that comes from a fire or the fumes that come out of a car exhaust don't just contain the sooty grey particles that you can see - they also contains lots of invisible gases that can be even more harmful to our environment. Power stations, factories and cars all burn fuels and therefore they all produce polluting gases.
Essay on Acid Rain
Smith in from his studies of air in Manchester, England. The widespread occurrence of acid rain was recognized only in Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, i. What we call acid rain is the oxides of sulphur and nitrogen originating from industrial operations and fossil fuel combustion, the major sources of acid forming gases combine with the water in the air. Acid forming gases are oxidized over several days by which time they travel several thousand kilometres. In the atmosphere these gases are ultimately converted into sulphuric and nitric acids. This acidic mixture then falls as rain, sleet, mist or snow or as solid flakes. Hydrogen chloride emission forms hydrochloric acid. These acids cause acidic rain. Rain water is turned acidic when its pH falls below 5.
Commencing from the first time I heard about it in the years of my elementary, I have always had a keen interest in this oddly named rain. One would think any type of rain is beneficial to all natural living forms, but with my discovery of acid rain it seems not.
The elevated levels of ions of hydrogen that land on the ground along with rainwater are what we all refer to as acid rain. There are many reasons for this phenomenon which have been studied by researchers over a long period of time. The acid rain is considered harmful not just for plants but for human life and other living beings as well.
Acid Rain: Causes, Effects and Solutions
Look no further than ProfEssays. You simply place an order with the writing instructions you have been given, and before you know it, your essay or term paper, completely finished and unique, will be completed and sent back to you. Acid-Rain organisms on land can be very bad because when it is cold the Acid-Rain fall onto the street and freezes up. While, usually, the acid concentrations are not high, it may create potential damage to the historical entities, the aquatic lives and the natural vegetations around. These criteria focus on their luck, tulane students mature and induct children into a single meeting to satisfy site constraints and or a collection of essays and outlines of other students in writing. This rain is known as acid rain. Acid-Rain can effect not only water and water environments but it can effect land. Acid rain is accumulated in our clouds and in our atmosphere. Also a good introduction backed by strong thesis statement is precondition to attract the readers. By decreasing the use of cars, trucks, factories an such that are one of the main causes to air pollution will help reduce the risks of acid rain and its damages to the enviorment. Acid forming gases are oxidized over several days by which time they travel several thousand kilometres. We want skyscrapers to work in, electricity to give us light and cars to get us from point A to point B. We do not exceed the time limit we promised to deliver the paper.
What is Acid Rain?
Acid Rain. Great amount of pollution from cars, factories and an overabundance of garbage is overwhelming the modern society. The immense amounts of sulphur dioxide emitted into the air causes high levels of acid in the atmosphere. When this sulphuric acid is absorbed into moisture in the air, poignant rainfalls can be damaging to the external environment. Lakes, air and ecosystem the world over are being destroyed by acid rain. Acid rain is killing lakes and decreasing the number of inhabitants in these fresh water bodies.
