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Xavier Institute-XIDAS

PGDM-1st sem

Presents
PROJECT
REPORT
Titled

ACID RAIN:
Meaning, Sources,
Causes, Effects &
Solutions
Meaning
Acid rain is rainfall that has a pH
level of less than 5.6 or any other
form of precipitation that is
unusually acidic in nature. It is a
phenomenon in which acid is thrown
out from the atmosphere. In this
phenomenon, acid which has formed
due to pollution may return to the
earth as a solid or a gas or as a liquid
contained in rain. It is also called
acid deposition which may be one of
the following types:
Wet deposition
Dry deposition
Deposition Types

Wet deposition refers to acidic rain, snow, fog, cloud-water,


dew, mist etc. As this acidic water flows over and through the
ground, it affects a variety of plants and animals.

Dry deposition refers to acidic gases and particles mixed


with dust or smoke. The wind blows these acidic particles and
gases onto buildings, skyscrapers, cars, homes, and trees.
These deposits are then washed off by rains, after which the
rain water causes the acid chemicals to become more acidic.
Acid rain has become an international
issue because of its serious and
definite danger to life on earth. The
problem has become severe since the
1960s when fishermen noticed a sharp
reduction in the quantity of fish in
lakes of North America and Europe.
In 1872, the Scottish chemist, Angus
Robert Smith wrote a book "Air
and Rain: The Beginnings of
Chemical Climatology", in which he
used the term "Acid Rain“.
Responsible Gases
The two primary gases responsible for
acid rain are:
• Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
• Oxides of nitrogen (NOx).
Sulfur dioxide

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless, prudent gas released as a by-


product of combusted fossil fuels containing sulfur. A variety
of industrial processes, such as the production of iron and
steel, utility factories, and crude oil processing produce this
gas. In iron and steel production, the smelting of metal sulfate
ore produces pure metal. This causes the release of sulfur
dioxide. Metals such as zinc, nickel, and copper are
commonly obtained by this process. Sulfur dioxide can also be
emitted into the atmosphere by natural disasters or means i.e.,
volcanoes, sea spray, plankton etc.

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Oxides of nitrogen

The other chemical that is also chiefly responsible for the


make-up of acid rain is nitrogen oxide. Oxides of nitrogen
is a term used to describe any compound of nitrogen with
any amount of oxygen atoms. Nitrogen monoxide and
nitrogen dioxide are all oxides of nitrogen. These gases
are by-products of firing processes of extreme high
temperatures (automobiles, utility plants), and in chemical
industries (fertilizer production).

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Chemistry of Acid Rain
The main acids present in acid rain are:

 Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)


 Nitric acid (HNO3)

Acid rain is a mild combination of mainly


sulfuric and nitric acid. Sulfurous acid and
nitrous acid are less stable and are present
only in very low amounts.
Formation of Sulfuric acid

 Sulfur released into the atmosphere combines with


atmospheric oxygen to form sulfur dioxide (SO2).
 Sulfur dioxide reacts with atmospheric water to form
sulfurous acid - SO2(g) + H20(l) = H2SO3(aq).
 Sulfurous acid is also present in acid rain.
 Sulfur dioxide gradually oxidizes to form sulfur trioxide
(SO3) - 2SO2(g) = O2(g) = 2SO3(g).
 Sulfur trioxide reacts with water to form Sulfuric acid
(H2SO4) - SO3(g) + H20(l) = H2SO4(aq).
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Formation of Nitric acid
 Nitrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen to form
nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
 Nitrogen dioxide reacts with water to form nitrous
acid (HNO2) and nitric acid (HNO3) - 2NO2(l) +
H2O(l) = HNO2(aq) + HNO3(aq)

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Measurement
 Liquids with a pH less than 7 are acidic, and those with a
pH greater than 7 are bases.

 Pure water has a pH of 7.0.

 Normal rain is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide


dissolves into it, so it has a pH of about 5.6. When the pH
level of rainwater goes below 5.6, it is considered acid
rain.
 The lower the rain's pH, the more acidic it is.
Substances which cause Acid rain
 Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide is released by burning coal,
oil, and natural gas.
 Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is released by burning
gasoline, oil, and wood.
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): CFCs are the chemicals that are
used in industry, refrigeration, air conditioning systems and
consumer products.
 Hazardous air pollutants (HAPS): HAPS are released into the
air by sources such as chemical plants, dry cleaners, printing
plants, and motor vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, and planes).
 Lead: Lead is released by house and car paint as well as the
manufacturing of lead batteries, fishing lures, certain parts of
bullets, some ceramic ware, water pipes, and fixtures.
 Nitrogen oxides: Nitrogen Oxides are released into the air by
burning fuels such as gasoline and coal.
 Ozone: Ozone is released by motor vehicles, industries,
burning coal, gasoline, and other fossil fuels and in the
chemicals that are in hairspray and paints.
 Particulate matter (PM): PM, little particles of pollution, is
released by cars, trucks, and buses that are burning diesel
fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, road construction, steel making,
mining, and turning on fire places and wood stoves.
 Sulfur dioxides: Sulfur dioxides are released by burning
coal, paper production, and melting metal.
 Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): VOCs are released
into the air by burning gasoline, wood, coal, or natural gas,
solvents, paints, glues and other products that are used at
work or at home.
Sources
Certain industries, as well as emissions from vehicles give rise to
increase of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the air. Coal
generally contains between 2 - 3 % sulphur, and when it is burned,
this sulphur is released into the atmosphere. Electric companies
and other industries which burn coal cause a lot of emission of
sulphur dioxide. Other industries which process raw ore containing
sulphides in order to obtain copper, zinc, or nickel also cause an
increase in sulphur dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
The major source of emissions of nitrogen oxides into the air is
from vehicles and other places where fossil fuels are burned.
Forest fires, often caused by man, either deliberately or
accidentally, are another source of pollution.
Naturally occurring phenomena like volcanic activity, lightning, or
organic decay, also gives rise to an increase in atmospheric
pollutants.
Effect of acid rain

 Plants
 Aquatic / Sea Life
 Animals and Birds
 Soil
 Human Beings
 Buildings & Monuments
Effect on Plants
Acid rain can deplete the nutrients in the soil, thereby depriving the
plants of their food. Nutrients in soil dissolve in acid rain and get
washed away before the plants can utilize them. The poor quality acidic
soil is not only incapable of buffering but it also becomes intoxicated
with harmful substances like mercury and aluminum, which are
absorbed by the plants.
Acid rain washes away important minerals from leaves. Acid rain also
blocks the small pores on the leaves' surface, through which they take in
carbon dioxide. With improper functioning of leaves, the growth of
trees gets retarded. This results in a loss of leaves, stunted growth and
damaged bark. Such trees are more prone to attacks by fungi and
insects. This can even result in the death of trees.
Also, the acidic fog that covers the trees, deprives the leaves of sunlight
and makes them weak. As a result, the leaves are unable to perform
photosynthesis, rendering the trees weak and susceptible to various
diseases and infections.
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Effect on Aquatic / Sea Life

All of the sea life will die when the water that they swim
in gets to be too acidic. For example, all fish will die
when the water goes below a pH of 4.5. Most of the frogs
and insects that live around the water will also die when
the water reaches a pH of 4.5. Aquatic plants will grow
the best when the water is a pH between 7.0 and 9.2. If
acid rain gets to be more of a problem, then all of the sea
life will eventually be gone.

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Effect on Animals and Birds
Animals and birds are not directly affected by the acid rain, but
as they are the part of food chain, they invariably have to face
the effects. Consuming plants that are intoxicated by the acid
rain can produce certain problems in animals and birds.
Reduction in forest also deprives them of their habitat. This may
result in substantial decrease in their population.
All living organisms are interdependent on each other. If a
lower life form is killed, other species that depend on it will also
be affected. Every animal up the food chain will be affected.
Animals and birds, like waterfowl or beavers, which depends on
the water for food sources or as a habitat, also begin to die. Due
to the effects of acid rain, animals which depend on plants for
their food also begin to suffer. Tree dwelling birds and animals
also begin to languish due to loss of habitat.
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Effect on Soil
Soil contains many harmful minerals such as mercury and
aluminum. These elements can't be absorbed by plants
and trees and are thus harmless. Upon contact with acid
rain, these chemicals undergo chemical reactions with the
acids. As a result, compounds of aluminum, lead and
mercury are formed. Plants and trees can easily absorb
these compounds. Such elements, which are extremely
harmful to living forms, ultimately affect the entire food
chain. These chemicals not only harm the flora, but also
the animals that feed on them.

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Effect on Human Beings
Acid rain is harmful to human health. Air pollutions leads to several
health problems like bronchitis, asthma or damage to lungs. The sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides may lead to irritation of eyes, ears and
nose and poor visibility. These pollutants can also cause throat
infections and dry coughs. In addition, several problems may arise due
to consumption of intoxicated plants or animals. Drinking water
contaminated by aluminium, mercury and lead is highly dangerous for
human health.
Mankind depends upon plants and animals for food. Due to acid rain
the entire fish stocks in certain lakes are wiped out. The economic
livelihood of people who depend on fish and other aquatic life suffers
as a result. Eating fish contaminated by mercury may cause serious
health problems. In addition to loss of plant and animal life as food
sources, acid rain gets into the food we eat, the water we drink, as well
as the air we breathe. Due to this, asthmatic people and children are
directly affected. Back
Effect on Buildings & Monuments
Acid rain can also cause damage to certain building materials,
marble statues and historical monuments. This results when the
sulfuric acid in the rain chemically reacts with the calcium
compounds in the stones (limestone, sandstone, marble and
granite) to create gypsum.
This result is also commonly seen on old gravestones where the
acid rain can cause the inscription to become completely
illegible. Acid rain also causes an increased rate of oxidation for
metals, and in particular copper and bronze. Visibility is also
reduced by sulfate and nitrate aerosols and particles in the
atmosphere.
Many great structures in the world like Taj Mahal in India,
Washington Monument, Renaissance buildings in Italy,
Acropolis in Greece have all been affected by the acid rain.
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Solutions to Acid Rain

 On government level

 On industry level

 On individual level
Solutions on government level

International understanding among developed as well


as developing countries should be formed.

Necessary treaties should be signed as per


requirement.

Pacts / treaties should be implemented honestly to get


rid of this global problem for the sake of saving
mankind.

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Solutions on industry level
Clean up smokestacks and exhaust pipes.
Limit the quantity of emissions released in the atmosphere.
Add scrubbers to smoke stacks to reduce the amount of
Sulphur-dioxide dumped in the atmosphere.
Specially designed catalytic converters to be used to ensure
that the gases coming out from exhaust pipes of
automobiles are rendered harmless.
Industries which use coal as fuel should wash the coal
before using it thereby reducing the amount of Sulphur
present in it, and consequently the amount of emissions.
Usage of coal with a low Sulphur content also reduces the
problem.
A reduction in use of vehicles will reduce the amount of
emission caused by the vehicles.
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Switch off lights, and other electrical appliances when not
required .
Reducing power consumption will reduce the amount of
coal burnt to produce electricity, and thus reduce the
amount of pollution.
Use alternative energy sources. There are other sources of
electricity besides fossil fuels. They include: nuclear power,
hydropower, wind energy, geothermal energy, and solar
energy. There are also alternative energies available to
power automobiles, including natural gas powered vehicles,
battery-powered cars, fuel cells, and combinations of
alternative and gasoline powered vehicles.

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Solutions on individual level
Turn off lights, computers, and other appliances when not using
them.
Use energy efficient appliances: lighting, air conditioners, heaters,
refrigerators, washing machines, etc.
Only use electric appliances when it is needed.
Keep the thermostat at 68 F in the winter and 72 F in the summer. It
can be turned even lower in the winter and higher in the summer
when one is away from home.
Insulate the home as best one can.
Use of public transportation, or better yet, walk or bicycle whenever
possible.
Buying vehicles with low Nitrogen oxide emissions, and maintain
all vehicles well.
Running of the washing machine / dishwasher only with a full load.
Turn off the lights in empty rooms or when one will be away from
home.
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Turn off the hot water tank when one will go for a long period of
time .
Controlled use of air conditioner as much.
Install fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent light bulbs .
Try to reduce, reuse and recycle as often as one can.
Try not to burn a fire as often as one usually does.
Make sure that vehicle’s air conditioning system isn’t leaking.
For alternate fuels, trying ethanol, propane, or natural gas.
Not leaving Televisions, VCRs, Microwave Ovens or Music
Systems on Stand-by when not required. These are to be switched
off.
Become well-informed about causes, effects & solution of acid rain
problem.
Speaking to others about this problem. Increasing awareness is one
way of ensuring that things are done to solve this global problem.
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END OF
PRESENTATION

THANK YOU

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