Acid rain or Acid deposition is a very broad term that includes rain, snow, hail or any form of precipitation with acidic components. While discussing about acid rain, we need to discuss in detail what acid rain is, evolution of the term, causes, how acid rain is measured, harmful effects of it on plants, aquatic life, birds, and humans and measures to prevent.
What is acid rain?
Acid rain is a type of rain with high levels of hydrogen ions. It is unusually acidic. When any type of fuel is burnt, different type of toxic chemicals are produced. All these get absorbed into the atmosphere gets mixed with minute droplets of water from the clouds and react to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. When rains fall from these clouds, they fall as tiny acid droplets which have weak acid contents, which are commonly known as acid rain.
Evolution of the term acid rain
The term acid rain was developed by a scientist named Robert Angus Smith in 1870 in Manchester. By 1920’s, there was tremendous increase in the emissions from acidifying pollution particularly in the northern hemisphere in North America and Europe. By 1970’s this started spreading to Scandinavian countries which had harmful effects on trees and fresh water. Later on it was noticed that these pollutants that are hazardous is being transported from one polluted country to the other through the atmosphere. This became a media issue in the early 1980’s. By this time most of the countries started noticing changes in the wildlife, population of fish and trees. Most of the research was done in North America and Europe. Thus acid rain is an issue of international importance and a global concern.
CAUSES OF ACID RAIN
The main cause of acid rain is human activities. When fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil are burned, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and other harmful gases are produced. Sulphur dioxide is a harmful gas released by both human and natural process. It is a colorless gas with and irritating smell and taste. It is used in many industries for prevention of bacterial growth, chemical processes, solvent extraction and refining. Coal fired power stations are the major source for emission of sulphur dioxide. Fossil fuel burning stations, oil burning and emission from locomotives and ships are other sourced of sulphur dioxide. Some of the sources of nitrogen oxide are chemical inputs of agriculture, combustion of fossil fuel and combustion of gasoline in automobiles. A natural source of nitrogen oxide is lightning and volcanic eruptions. Both sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide rise up very high to the atmosphere. As they rise up the temperature rises and sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide reacts with oxygen, hydrogen and water droplets to form weak acids. Finally this falls down as rain, snow or hail along with these weak acids thus forming acid rain.
HOW IS ACID RAIN MEASURED?
Acid rain is measured through pH test by pH (potential for hydrogen) scale. This test determines the concentration of hydrogen ions in a liter of fluid and its acidity. This instrument has a scale that goes from 1-14. The smaller the number in pH scale the more acidic which means that hydrogen ions are more. Pure water has ph 7 which means it’s neutral. Unpolluted rain has ph value of 5.5-6. This is because of the mixing of carbon dioxide in it which makes it slightly acidic. The acid content or pH value of a few are listed below-
- battery acid : ph 0
- sulfuric acid : ph 1
- lemon juice : ph 2
- orange juice : ph 3
- acid rain : ph 4
- banana : ph 5
- milk : ph 6
- pure water : ph 7
- sea water : ph 8
- baking soda : ph 9
- milk of magnesia : ph 10
- ammonia : ph 11
- soapy water : ph 12
- bleach : ph 13
- drain cleaner : ph 14
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN
- On plants : Acid rain affects plants in a very adverse way. It affects different plants differently. It affects all types of vegetation including crops. Young shoots and roots are adversely affected as it stops the growth of the plants. The protective soft waxy upper layer of the leaf will get completely destroyed due to acid rain. As a result absorption of sunlight, evaporation process and nutrient conversion is affected so thus yield is reduced. The plants also find it difficult to survive severe conditions like heavy rainfall, storms and drought. Acid rain also damages forest and other vegetation. When acid rain gets absorbed to the soil, it takes away the nutrients if the soil making it infertile. The ability of the soil to absorb water decreases thus making it dry.
- On aquatic life : Acid rain is a threat to the aquatic life. If the ph level or the acidity is below 5, the fishes die. The calcium levels and the reproductive ability of the fish decreases due to acid rain. As a result the bones become weak and deformed resulting in death. The sensitivity of the eggs produces and young fishes decline. Thus, this decreases the population of different species of fish resulting in there extinction.
- On birds : Acid rain has affected the bird population to an extent. Certain bird studies conducted have proved the extinction of certain species of birds around the globe. The breeding habits have considerably declined. The calcium levels have also decreased so the eggs become unhealthy.
- On humans : Acid rain also affects mankind. Constant exposure weakens the immunity of the human body. We breathe the sulfur dioxide particles in the atmosphere which can cause chronic lung disorders like asthma and bronchitis. Toxic substances are even absorbed by drinking water that we consume. This can be fatal to humans and can cause lung damage and congestion leading to death.
Measures (methods) to prevent acid rain
Simple and small steps can be adopted to reduce and prevent acid rain-
- use of alternative mode of transportation or use more of public transport, car pooling system and of course walk more and be healthy.
- reduce the use of air conditioners, use lights and fan only when needed and reduce the use of home appliances to conserve energy.
- reduce the use of non renewable source of energy and use more of renewable source like wind energy, water energy and solar energy.
- use of coal which has low sulfur content.
To summarize, acid rain is an issue of global importance. The ecosystem, flora, fauna and even humans can be saved from many issues of acid rain is controlled. Simple steps can be taken to subside the severity like not burning gasoline, fossil fuels, reducing the use of automobiles thus reducing air pollution. Awareness programs can be regularly conducted which educates the people about the ill effects of acid rain. The younger generation and children should be made part of the awareness program. Thus the severity of acid rain can be lowered which will definitely benefit the upcoming generations.
