Acid Rain

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acid rain is formed when sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, as gases or fine particles in the atmosphere, combine with water vapour and precipitate as sulphuric acid or nitric acid in rain, snow, or fog. tags Effects of Acid Rain , Lesson , Prevention , Atmosphere , Lesson , Winter , Buffers , Chemical reaction , Chemistry , Pollution ,Air pollution , Climate change , El Salvador , Smog , Lesson , Nitrogen cycle , Science , SNC 1D1 , Acid

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Presentation Transcript

Slide 1:

NAVLEEN SINGH SANDHU VIIth B

Contents:

Contents Definition Causes Formation Affected Areas Effects Remedial Measures

Definition of Acid Rain:

Definition of Acid Rain Precipitation that has a pH of less than that of natural rainwater (which is about 5.6 due to dissolved carbon dioxide). It is formed when sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, as gases or fine particles in the atmosphere, combine with water vapour and precipitate as sulphuric acid or nitric acid in rain, snow, or fog.

Causes of Acid Rain:

Causes of Acid Rain Natural Sources Emissions from volcanoes and from biological processes that occur on the land, in wetlands, and in the oceans contribute acid-producing gases to the atmosphere Effects of acidic deposits have been detected in glacial ice thousands of years old in remote parts of the globe

Causes of Acid Rain:

Causes of Acid Rain The principal cause of acid rain is from human sources Industrial factories, power-generating plants and vehicles Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are released during the fuel burning process (i.e. combustion) MSN Encarta

Formation of Acid Rain:

Formation of Acid Rain

Formation of Acid Rain:

Formation of Acid Rain When water vapour condeses, or as the rain falls, they dissolve in the water to form sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) and nitric acid (HNO 3 ). While the air in cleaned of the pollutants in this way, it also causes precipitation to become acidic, forming acid rain

Effects of Acid Rain:

Effects of Acid Rain MSN Encarta http://abacus.bates.edu/~ganderso/biology/bio270/clover_leaf_burns_pH2_30d.gif

Effects of Acid Rain:

Effects of Acid Rain Harmful to aquatic life Increased acidity in water bodies Stops eggs of certain organisms (e.g. fish) to stop hatching Changes population ratios Affects the ecosystem

Effects of Acid Rain:

Effects of Acid Rain Harmful to vegetation Increased acidity in soil Leeches nutrients from soil, slowing plant growth Leeches toxins from soil, poisoning plants Creates brown spots in leaves of trees, impeding photosynthesis Allows organisms to infect through broken leaves

Effects of Acid Rain:

Effects of Acid Rain Affects human health Respiratory problems, asthma, dry coughs, headaches and throat irritations Leeching of toxins from the soil by acid rain can be absorbed by plants and animals. When consumed, these toxins affect humans severely. Brain damage, kidney problems, and Alzheimer's disease has been linked to people eating "toxic" animals/plants.

Preventive Measures:

Preventive Measures Reduce amount of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen released into the atomosphere Use less energy (hence less fuel burnt) Use cleaner fuels Remove oxides of sulphur and oxides of nitrogen before releasing Flue gas desulphurization Catalytic Converters

Preventive Measures:

Preventive Measures Use cleaner fuels Coal that contains less sulphur "Washing" the coal to reduce sulphur content Natural Gas

Remedial Measures:

Remedial Measures Use other sources of electricity (i.e. nuclear power, hydro-electricity, wind energy, geothermal energy, and solar energy) Issue of cost http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Nuclear_Power_Plant_Cattenom.jpg

Reducing the effects of Acid Rain:

Reducing the effects of Acid Rain Liming Powdered limestone/limewater added to water and soil to neutralize acid Used extensively in Norway and Sweden Expensive, short-term remedy

Thank You:

Thank You NAVLEEN SINGH SANDHU VIII th B 13

Slide 17:

Acidic particles and vapours are deposited via two processes - wet and dry deposition. Wet deposition is acid rain, the process by which acids with a pH normally below 5.6 are removed from the atmosphere in rain, snow, sleet or hail. Dry deposition takes place when particles such as fly ash, sulphates, nitrates, and gases (such as SO 2 and NO), are deposited on, or absorbed onto, surfaces. The gases can then be converted into acids when they contact water. [[ continued: ]]