Acid RainSahana Kanabar

How is Acid Rain formed?

Acid Rain is formed when pollutants from power plants are released into the air. The sulfur dioxide an nitrogen oxide gases that are released into the air react with the moisture in the atmosphere. It then becomes sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which comes down in various forms.

What is Acid Rain?

Acid rain can take many forms such as soot, ash, sleet, hail, snow and smog. Rain is the most common form. The acid in the cloud comes down in the various forms due to weather conditions. It is harmful to people and the environment.

Effects on Buildings

Acid rain has a slow corrosive effect on buildings. Everything deteriorates faster than usual. Material such as limestone and marble would also erode. Many sculptures of monuments have been destroyed over time due to acid rain.

Effects on Bodies of Water

Especially in lakes when there is acid rain the acidic levels in the water rise. This can disturb the ecosystem within that body of water. It can also run into streams, which then flows into the soil.

Effects on Plants and Soil

Acid rain damages tree roots and the soil around it. It disrupts food chains and kills off wildlife. The tree roots can’t draw in enough nutrients. The rain turns leaves brownish-yellow so the tree can’t get food through its roots or photosynthesis.

Effects on Humans

When acid rain is in the form of smog if it is inhaled it can be harmful. Fish that live in affected water harm people indirectly. Water that is acidic enough will react with copper or lead pipes which is very harmful.

PreventionIf power plants switched their fuel sources to natural gas, oil or renewable energy sources it wouldn’t emit sulphur dioxide. Most of the preventions involve reducing the amount of sulphur in the coal.

Bibliography "Kids Corner." ENVIS-Environmental Information System. Indian

Institute of Tropical Meteorology. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. <http://envis.tropmet.res.in/kidscorner/acid_rain.htm>.

"Acid Rain : Preventions." Acid Rain : Causes. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://acidrainissues.zoomshare.com/3.html>.

SanGreya. "Week 43: Whatever Happened to Acid Rain?" Productive Thing of the Week. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <http://sangreya.blogspot.com/2011/11/week-43-whatever-happened-to-acid-rain.html>.