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WHAT IS ACID RAIN??

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Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.  This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic. August 16,2015

Acid Rain

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Rainfall made sufficiently acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm, typically to forests and lakes. The main cause is the industrial burning of coal and other fossil fuels, the waste gases from which contain sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which combine with atmospheric water to form acids.

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WHAT CAN CAUSE ACID RAIN??

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Sources of Acid Rain Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that

begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in water and can be carried very far by the wind. As a result, the two compounds can travel long distances where they become part of the rain, sleet, snow, and fog that we experience on certain days.

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Human activities are the main cause of acid rain. Over the past few decades, humans have released so many different chemicals into the air that they have changed the mix of gases in the atmosphere. Power plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, theexhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain.

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Acid Rain is Caused by Reactions in the EnvironmentNature depends on balance, and although some rain is naturally acidic, with a pH level of around 5.0, human activities have made it worse. Normalprecipitation—such as rain, sleet, or snow—reacts with alkaline chemicals, or non-acidic materials, that can be found in air, soils, bedrock, lakes, and streams. These reactions usually neutralize natural acids. However, if precipitation becomes too acidic, these materials may not be able to neutralize all of the acids. Over time, these neutralizing materials can be washed away by acid rain. Damage to crops, trees, lakes, rivers, and animals can result.

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WHAT IS THE RESULT OF ACID RAIN??

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Acid rain describes any form of precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. It can also occur in the form of snow, fog, and tiny bits of dry material that settle to Earth.

Rotting vegetation and erupting volcanoes release some chemicals that can cause acid rain, but most acid rain falls because of human activities. The biggest culprit is the burning of fossil fuels by coal-burning power plants, factories, and automobiles.

Result of Acid Rain

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When humans burn fossil fuels, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the atmosphere. These chemical gases react with water, oxygen, and other substances to form mild solutions of sulfuric and nitric acid. Winds may spread these acidic solutions across the atmosphere and over hundreds of miles. When acid rain reaches Earth, it flows across the surface in runoff water, enters water systems, and sinks into the soil.

Acid rain has many ecological effects, but none is greater than its impact on lakes, streams, wetlands, and other aquatic environments.

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Acid rain makes waters acidic and causes them to absorb the aluminum that makes its way from soil into lakes and streams. This combination makes waters toxic to crayfish, clams, fish, and other aquatic animals.

Some species can tolerate acidic waters better than others. However, in an interconnected ecosystem, what impacts some species eventually impacts many more throughout the food chain—including non-aquatic species such as birds.

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The Result Of Acid Rain In Human

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Walking in acid rain, or even swimming in an acid lake, is no more dangerous to humans than walking or swimming in clean water. However, the pollutants that cause acid rain, and their particulates — SO2 and NOX, sulfate and nitrate particles—do damage human health.

SO2 and NOX react in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate particles that people can inhale into their lungs. Many scientific studies have shown a relationship between these particles and heart and lung disorders, such as asthma and bronchitis.

In addition, NOX emissions also contribute to ground level ozone. Ozone harms human health in a number of ways, including asthma and emphysema.

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ASTHMAClick icon to add picture

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EMPHYSEMA

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What can I do??

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Since energy production creates large amounts of the pollutants that cause acid rain, one important step you can take is to conserve energy. You can do this in a number of ways:

Conserve Energy

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Turn off lights, computers, televisions, video games, and other electrical equipment when you're not using them.

Encourage your parents to buy equipment that uses less electricity, including lights, air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, and washing machines. Such equipment might have the Energy Star label.

Try to limit the use of air conditioning.Ask your parents to adjust the

thermostat (the device used to control the temperature in your home) when you go on vacation.

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Driving cars and trucks also produces large amounts of nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain. To help cut down on air pollution from cars, you can carpool or take public transportation, such as buses and trains. Also, ask your parents to walk or bike with you to a nearby store or friend’s house instead of driving.

Minimize the Miles

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Lowering energy consumption on a daily basis is the best way to prevent the formation of acid rain. For instance, homeowners can turn off appliances and electronics when they are not in use. Buying energy-efficient appliances is also helpful. Use air conditioning and heating units only when necessary, and turn down the heat to conserve more energy.

Using alternative energy sources in the form of solar or wind decreases the amount of fossil fuels that are burned into the atmosphere. For instance, solar-based heating systems are available, including energy-efficient vehicles. Reducing car traffic can be accomplished by taking public transportation, walking or riding a bicycle. Cars are a major contributor to acid rain because they emit nitric oxide into the air.

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Fluidized bed combustion is an industrial method that can reduce the amount of sulfur emitted into the atmosphere. Certain reform measures can solve the problem of acid rain, such as trading emissions. This measure is meant to limit the amount of pollution and encourage manufacturers to produce energy more efficiently. International treaties and agreements can limit the amount of harmful pollutants around the world.

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THANKS FOR LISTENING!!!

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