Acid Rain

'Acid rain' is an umbrella term which is used to cover a number of different pollution process. It is used to describe all
precipitation - rain, snow, fog, dew and dry acid deposition - which are more acid than normal. Acid rain forms when
oxides of sulphur and nitrogen combine with atmospheric moisture to yield sulphuric and nitric acids which may then be
carried long distances from their source before they are deposited by rain.

Pollutants that cause acid rain

(1) When fossil fuels such as high-sulphur coal, oil and natural gas are burned, chemicals like sulphur dioxide and
nitrogen oxide are produced. These chemicals react with water and other chemicals in the air to form sulphuric
acid, nitric acid and other harmful pollutants like sulfates and nitrates. These acid pollutants spread upwards
into the atmosphere, and are carried by air currents, to finally return to the ground in the form of acid rain.
(2) Acids also result from natural causes such as vegetation, volcanoes, lighting and geyzers.

Effects or impacts of Acid Rain

(1) Intense sulphur dioxide causes death of many kinds of trees Particularly conifers and other vegetation.
(2) Acid rains dissolve and wash away nutrients in the soil which Are needed by plants.
(3) Acid rain indirectly affects plants by removing nutrients from the soil in which they grow.
(4) Acid rain affects trees more directly by creating holes in the wary
(5) Coating of leaves, causing brown dead spots which affect the
(6) Plant’s photosynthesis,
(7) Farm crops are affected by acid rains.

Control measures to stop acid rains

(1) The best way to stop the formation of acid rain is to reduce the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
into the atmosphere. This can be achieved by using less energy from fossil fuels in Power plants, vehicles and
industries.
(2) Switching to cleaner burning fuels is also a way out. For instance, using natural gas which is cleaner than coal or
using coal with Lower sulfur content.
(3) Installing scrubbers to reduce smoke-stack emission, thoughExpensive would be economical compared to the
losses due to damage done to lakes, forests, monuments, food production, and so on.

Ozone
Ozone is highly reactive pale-blue gas with a penetrating odour. It is an allotrope of oxygen, made up of three atoms of
oxygen. It is formed when the molecule of the stable form of oxygen (O³) is split by ultraviolet radiation or electrical
discharge. Ozone is a naturally-occurring gas found in very small traces in the earth's atmosphere. Ozone is formed by
the action of sunlight on oxygen.

Ozone layer is a protective thin band in the stratosphere (above troposphere) that shields the earth from the harmful
ultraviolet rays coming from the sun.

Depletion of the Ozone Layer

Ozone depleter is a chemical that destroys the ozone in the stratosphere, Most ozone depleters are chemically stable
compounds containing chlorine or bromine, which remain unchanged for long enough to drift up to the upper
atmosphere. Man-made emissions of CFCs occur mainly in the northern hemisphere, with about 90% released in
Europe, Russia, Japan and North America. Gases such as CFCs that are insoluble in water and relatively unreactive are
mixed throughout the lower atmosphere and rise from the lower atmosphere into the stratosphere; winds then move
this air poleward. The CFCs damage ozone layer.
Effects or Impact of Ozone Depletion
The depletion of ozone layer allows more UV-B radiation reaching The earth surface. It has been estimated that a 5
percent loss of ozone Results in a 10 percent increase in UV-B radiation. UV radiations from The sun can cause the
following:

(1) A variety of health problems in human including skin cancers, eye cataracts and a reduction in our natural
immunity towards many diseases.
(2) UV radiation can be damaging to microscopic life in the ocean which form the basis of the world’s food chain.
(3) The elevated level of UV radiation damages nucleic acid in the living organisms.
(4) UV radiation inhibits photosynthesis in plants and phytoplankton, Which, in turn, affects the whole food chain.
(5) UV radiation may even affect the global climate. The increase in intensity of sunlight may include global warming
that melts the ice caps at the poles. If this happens, the sea level will rise from a few centimetres to a few
metres. The low-lying areas will come under water. It is an ecological disaster. However, the economic centres
are always located along the coast. Hence, flooding can lead to great economic loss.

Steps to protect the ozone layer

Avoid any fire extinguishers that contain halons, which have bromine in them. Instead, use carbon dioxide, water, or dry
chemical extinguisher. Although foam packing is CFC-free, some products contain hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs),
which, while far less damaging to the ozone layer, could contribute substantially to global warming. Hence, avoid them
and re-use non-disposable packing.

International efforts to protect ozone layer

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) established the principles for reducing
greenhouse gas emission at the Earth Summit, held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992.

An international conference held in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997,Has specified the commitments of different
countries to mitigate climate Change. This Protocol required countries to take appropriate measures to Reduce their
overall greenhouse gas emission to a level of at least 5 percent Below the 1990 level by the commitment period 2008-
2012.

India is concerned about the ozone problem and signed the Montreal protocol in 1992. Strict measures have been taken
in the country to phase out ozone depleting substances.

These measures include a ban on trade in ODS, licensing the important export of ODS, and a ban on the creation of new
ODS-production facilities. The ozone cell at the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government Of India, is the Indian
national nodal agency coordinating all matters relating To the Montreal Protocol.

A major towards reducing the use of ozone depleting substances was taken by Godrej Industries Ltd., a leading
manufacturer of refrigerators in India. Godrej is now manufacturing eco-fridges, or environment-friendly fridges under
the brand name ‘Pentacool’.