ACID

DEPOSITION


By: Arianne Dela Cruz

EL
 Definition

 An environmental problem that implies different
phenomena such as an acid rain, acid fog and acid
mist; thereby implying both wet and dry
precipitation.
 It is a combination of chemical and atmospheric
phenomenon that happens when gases such as
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide form acidic
compounds.
 Generally, acid deposition is a phenomenon mostly
known as the acid rain.
“Acid rain a larger problem in Asia:
Study” by Teerin Julsawad (July 17,2013)

 “Worsening air pollution as a result of economic
expansion is leading to higher acidity in rainwater
in cities across Asia, according to a study.”

 "Overall, the situation is not yet as grave as in the US and

Scandinavia and [elsewhere in] Europe, where acid rain
destroys the ecosystem. Still, the increasing acidity shows a
possibility of destruction on that scale," Supat, coordinator of
the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET)
said.
 Causes

 Natural causes: Volcanic emissions and biological processes
 Some rains are naturally acidic with pH of 5.0. Precipitation
reacts with non-acidic materials such as alkaline found in
bedrocks or streams which neutralize natural acids. But when
precipitation is too acidic, it might not be neutralized.
 Burning of coal (oil and natural gas in power stations) which
releases sulphur dioxide which becomes sulphuric acid in the
atmosphere
 Power plants release sulphur dioxide and the burning of fossil
fuels releases nitrogen oxides.
 Burning of petrol and oil in vehicle engines emit nitrogen oxides
 Formation

 Sulphur dioxide from
burning of coals and the
like reacts with water
vapour and sunlight
thereby producing
sulphuric acid. Same goes
with the Nitrogen oxides
from combustion.
 Formation

 The reaction takes hours or days thereby enabling
the polluted air to be gushed by the winds and
moving hundreds of kilometers.
 When fog or mist condense, they will remove
pollutants from the air and they can become more
acidic.

 Effects

 Acid rain is one of the most destructive form of
pollution. It can cause trees to grow sickly and be
more vulnerable to diseases.
 Effects

 Acid rain can also react with minerals in stone
structures and forms powdery substance thereby
dissolving the mortar and stonework of buildings.
 Effects

 Corrosion of bridges and railways are also caused by
acid rain thereby requiring immediate repairs.
 Effects

 Acid rain can also lead to the poisoning of lakes.
Fishes living in the lakes would die with high levels
of acidity. Dead fishes could also harm birds or
anyone who eats them because of its toxicity.
 Effects

 For humans, acid rain can cause respiratory
problems because of the oxides present. Also, when
acid rain is absorbed by the soil used in growing
plants, it can cause harm to humans which would
consume them. Toxicity in these plants could lead to
serious illness such as brain damage and kidney
problems.
 Some solutions

 Conservation of energy
 Usage of renewable
sources of energy e.g. wind
power, solar power, etc.
 Minimize the usage of
vehicles
 Usage of catalytic
converters in order to
make car exhaust less
harmless
 SOURCES

 http://
www.businessdictionary.com/definition/acid-deposition.html
 http://www.china.org.cn/english/environment/222893.htm
 http://
www.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/whatcauses.
html
 http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/health.html
 http://
www.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/whatcanyou
do.html
 http://www.lenntech.com/acid-deposition.htm
 http://
www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Acid-rain-a-larger-pro
blem-in-Asia-study-30210619.html