• Subject: Environmental

sciences

• Course code:CHM-300

• Semester: 3rd

• Section: EA

• Topic: Chemistry of acid rain

• Submitted by: group #4

• Submitted to: Mam Hafiza Noreen

Chemistry
of
Acid rain
 Contents of this presentation
 Introduction
 Causes/sources
 Formation/chemistry
 Chemical reactions
 Affected areas
 Effects on environment
 Preventive measures
 01
Introduction
Lets star with its definition
 Acid rain

Acid rain is rain polluted by acid

that has been released into the
atmosphere from factories and other
industrial processes. Acid rain is
harmful to the environment.
 Types
Dry Wet
deposition deposition
 02
Causes
 Sources / Causes of Acid Rain

Both natural and man-made sources are known to play a

role in the formation of acid rain. But, it is mainly caused
by the combustion of fossil fuels which results in emissions
of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Natural sources
1. The major natural causal agent for acid rain is
volcanic emissions.
2. Decaying vegetation, wildfires and biological
processes within the environment also generate acid
rain forming gases.
Man-made sources
1. Factories, power generation facilities, and automobiles.

2. Burning of fossils fuels

 03
Formation
 04
Chemical
reactions
 Chemical reactions

• Sulphur dioxide reacts with oxygen & water to form Sulphuric acid
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) + 2H2O (l) → 2H2SO4 (aq)

• Nitrogen dioxide reacts with oxygen & water vapors

4NO2 (g) + O2 (g) + 2H2O (l) → 4HNO3 (aq)

• Nitric oxide (NO), which also contributes to the natural acidity of rainwater, is
formed during lightning storms by the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen, two common
atmospheric gases
 05
Affected areas
What Place in the World Receives the Most Acid Rain?
• Acid rain is responsible for severe environmental
destruction across the world and occurs most
commonly in the North Eastern United States, Eastern
Europe and increasingly in parts of China and India
 06
Effects on
Environment
 Effects of acid rain on plants
• It effect plant growth due to toxification of soil. It takes away
soil nutrients causing stunted growth. Block stomatal pores of
leaves.

Effects of acid rain on soil

• Acid rain damages soil biology . Microbes not able tolerate low
pH and die Upper fertile layer of soil is affect as essential
nutrients are leached away from soil
Effects of acid rain on buildings
• Causes extensive damage to buildings, structural materials of
marble ,limestone, slate etc.
 07
Control measures
 Control measures
1. Clean combustion technologies
2. Using pollution control equipments
3. Replacement of coal by natural gas or renewable energy resources
4. Liming of lakes and soils ‘
5. Formulate the policy framework for reduction of sulfur dioxide and
other acid rain causing gas emissions.
6. Support a set of subproject that promote cleaner production, reduce acid
rain and air pollution, improve the environment.