ACID RAIN

Introduction:

Acid rain is basically wet deposition of acids in rain or snow that is of low pH on to the surface of
the earth. However, rain water is naturally acidic due to the carbonic acid rain is an environmental
hazard brought about by pollution. Pollution of the environment especially air and water pollution
result in formation of acid rain.

Formation and Causes of Acid Rain:

Acid rain occurs in two ways. Wet deposition occurs when there is a precipitation and raindrops
deliver the acidic components to the earth’s surface whereas dry deposition occurs when no
precipitation occurs and the pollutants stick to plants and the earth surface. Air pollution causes
the accumulation of chemicals in the atmosphere. These chemicals form chemical reactions that
react with water and oxygen in the atmosphere and form acid rain. Gases that are oxides like
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide form reactions with oxygen and water and form acids. These
chemical reactions increase with the increase in air pollution by human or natural activities.
Natural activities like the eruption of volcanoes or hot springs in geothermal result in the release of
Sulphur dioxide to the atmosphere while lightning strikes cause a release of nitrogen oxide to the
atmosphere. Human activities especially industrialization, combustion of fuels and emission of
greenhouse gases to the atmosphere also contribute to the accumulation of oxides in the
atmosphere which result in acid rain formation. Air pollutants have greatly increased the formation
of acid rain and the effects have affected the health of living things on the surface of the earth.

Effects of Acid Rain:

Acid rain affects both animate and inanimate components of the environment. Plants and animals
are mostly affected health wise because of the direct interaction. Plants get scorched and growth
is impaired because acid rain also affects the soil pH by acidifying it. Animals, including humans
consume acid rain when harvested which affects their health negatively especially through heart
and lung problems. Acid rain is deleterious to aquatic animals like fish because acidic water flows
to water bodies. Inanimate objects like buildings are also negatively affected. Buildings and
bridges made of stone, steel or sand are corroded by the acids.

Prevention of Acid Rain:

Reduction of pollutants released to the atmosphere will prevent acid rain formation. The industries
will have to ensure that filtration of gases before release to the atmosphere is done. There is a
technical method of flue-gas desulphurization that helps in preventing emissions of Sulphur
dioxide and compounds to the atmosphere. The adherence to air quality agreements that have
been put in place is important. Government effort in gaseous emissions control programs will
enable the regulation of pollutants released to the atmosphere therefore acid rain formation will be
reduced.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, acid rain is an environmental hazard that is caused by acidic components that
accumulate in the atmosphere. Acid rain has both deleterious and adverse effects to the
environment. The control of air pollution will result in reduction of acid rain formation.