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Acid rain is precipitation with a pH below 5.2, mainly caused by human activities that emit sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Learn how acid rain forms, how it affects the environment and human health, and how it is measured and regulated.
- History
Acid rain - Pollution, Effects, Solutions: Modern...
- Effects on Human-Made Structures
Acid rain - Corrosion, Damage, Prevention: Acid deposition...
- Lakes, Rivers, Effects
Acid rain - Lakes, Rivers, Effects: The regional effects of...
- Forests, Mountains, Ecosystems
Acid rain - Forests, Mountains, Ecosystems: In the 1970s and...
- 2-Min Summary
acid rain, Any precipitation, including snow, that contains...
- History
- How Is Acid Rain formed?
- Effects of Acid Rain
- Conclusion
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Acid rain is a product of the chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that is released with water, oxygen, and other chemicals into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide readily dissolve in water and can be carried several miles by the wind. After traveling for a long distance, the two compounds become part of rain, sleet...
Animals
In aquatic settings such as the ocean, lakes, streams, and marshes, the ecological effect of acid rain is evident due to the danger it presents to fish and wildlife. As it flows through the soil, acidic rainwater can leach aluminum from clay soil particles and flow into streams and lakes. The more acid that is introduced into the ecosystem, the more aluminum is released. Although some plants and animals can endure acidic waters and direct measures of aluminum, others are acid-sensitive and wi...
Plants
Dead or dying trees are common in areas affected by acid rain. Acid rain leaches aluminum from the soil and the aluminum may be detrimental to plants and animals. The rain also eliminates minerals and nutrients from the soil that trees need to grow. At high altitudes, acidic fog and clouds might strip nutrients from the foliage of trees, leaving them with brown or dead leaves. This can cause difficulties in the absorption of sunlight, which makes trees fragile and less likely to endure freezi...
Nature depends on balance, and although some rain is naturally acidic, with a pH level of about 5.0, human activities have thrown this balance off. Ordinary precipitation reacts with basic chemicals or non-acidic materials which are found in air, rocks, soils, streams, and lakes. These reactions usually neutralize natural acids. However, if rain be...
Acid rain is caused by the chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that is released into the atmosphere by human activities. Learn about the effects of acid rain on plants, animals, and the environment.
Learn about acid rain, a type of precipitation that contains harmful acids due to air pollution. Find out how acid rain is formed, what are its effects on the environment and human health, and how to prevent it.
- 4 min
May 7, 2024 · Acid rain is any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid, that fall to the ground from the atmosphere. It results from the emissions of SO2 and NOX from burning fossil fuels, vehicles, industries and other sources.
Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). Most water, including drinking water, has a neutral pH that exists between 6.5 and 8.5, but acid rain has a pH level lower than this and ranges from 4–5 on average.
Feb 3, 2023 · Acid rain is any form of precipitation with high concentrations of sulfuric and nitric acids, caused by human-made emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. It affects soil, plants, water bodies, buildings, and human health, and can be reduced by regulating emissions, using renewable energy, and planting trees.
Feb 28, 2019 · Acid rain is any form of precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids, caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. It can harm aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, human health, and buildings, and can be reduced by setting air-quality standards.
