Yap Pui Teng (5C)

Acid Rain

Today, acid rain has become one of the world’s leading environmental
problems. Acid rain can be defined as precipitation with elevated amounts of
harmful acids. Though it can occur due to volcanoes and lightning strikes, the
major cause of acid rains is the release of high levels of harmful gases by
factories and automobiles. The harmful gases cause serious ecological damage,
affecting all living life on Earth.

When sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide is released from factories,

electric power stations and motor vehicles, they subsequently dissolve in
atmospheric water vapour. Once in the atmosphere, the pollutants combine with
moisture to form acid rain. The acid rain is collected in a cloud and will be
released when it rain, which is acid rain. It falls in the form of sulphurous acid,
sulphuric acid, nitrous acid and acid nitric. When acid rain falls to the ground, it
is absorbed by the soil dissolves many mineral salts and washes them into rivers
and lakes. This releases poisonous chemicals, including aluminium, which are
normally insoluble, harmless and causes water pollution. Acid rain flowing into
rivers and lakes upsets the ecological balance of the ecosystem by destroying
many species of living organisms such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, fishes
and other aquatic animals. Other than that, acid rain falling on plants changes
the colour of their leaves from green to purple and causes the leaves to die. Acid
rain not only affects plant and wildlife but also invariably impacts human
beings. The acidity in the rain will contribute to visibility degradation and harm
public health. Moreover, it also accelerates the decay of building materials and
paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of
our nation's cultural heritage.

Looking at some of the above acid rain effects, it is evident that, if we do

not avail some acid rain solutions it can lead to serious environmental crisis.
The governments of various countries should wake up and take some strong
measures to prevent it. Every individual should try to reduce the pollution in a
bid to make our earth a safer and cleaner place.