What Is Acid Rain?

Acid rain is rain consisting of water droplets that are unusually acidic because of atmospheric pollution - most notably the excessive amounts of sulfur and nitrogen released by cars and industrial processes.

Acidity itself is determined based on the pH level of the water droplets. PH is the scale measuring the amount of acid in the water and liquid. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 with lower pH being more acidic while a high pH is alkaline; seven is neutral. Normal rain water is slightly acidic and has a pH range of 5.3-6.0. If pH of rain is less than 5.3, then it's acid rain..\

What are the causes?

Acid deposition can occur via natural sources like volcanoes but it is mainly caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide during fossil fuel combustion. When these gases are discharged into the atmosphere they react with the water, oxygen, and other gases already present there to form sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid. These acids then disperse over large areas because of wind patterns and fall back to the ground as acid rain or other forms of precipitation.

What are its effects?

There are many problems and effects caused by acid rain. Acid rain can cause buildings, statues and bridges to deteriorate faster than usual. Another problem is it harms thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams worldwide. It disrupts lake ecosystems and kill wildlife in affected lakes, rivers and streams. Acid rain also damages soil and the tree roots in it. When soil is acidified, tree roots are damaged, leaving them not able to draw in enough nutrients to support the tree. When acid rain falls on trees, it makes their leaves turn brownish-yellow and the tree can no longer carry out photosynthesis properly. Another problem is it will harm people when they breathe in smog, acid rain in one of its many forms.

What can be done ?

Acid rain can be prevented by reducing emissions that come from the mining industries, burning of fuels for electrical power generation, oil operations, and reducing fuel emissions from cars and trucks. Reduce our use of products that produce chlorofluorocarbons that are released into the atmosphere by actively conserving the use of your air conditioning. Become energy wise by conserving energy through the use of fluorescent lights, closing off rooms you do not use, and use washers, dryers, and dishwashers only when full. Last but not lease please recycle packaging and other disposable products.


Source: about.com, ask.com
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