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Acid Rain
Overview
• Over the past decade, acid rain has been transformed from a
relatively unnoticed area of scientific inquiry into a major
environmental issue of regional, national, and international
concern.
• Acid Rain is rain with a pH less than or equal to 5.
• The pH scale ranges from 1 (acid) to 14 (alkaline), therefore 7 is
neutral.
• Destruction is caused mainly from the reaction of the acidic rain
and alkaline compounds such as marble.
• Thankfully, acid rain has decreased by an overall 61.2% since 1990.
Causes of Acid Rain
• Burning Fossil Fuels
-Cars, Power Plants, etc.
- Car emissions cause Nitrogen Dioxide
-Burning coal causes Sulfur Dioxide
• When the fossil fuel emissions are released into the air, the
reaction of atmospheric moisture and NO2 and/or SO2
creates Sulfuric acid and Nitric acid.
• More prominent in the Mid-West and areas of high
population and industrial activity.
• The Prevailing Westerly winds cause the pollution from
Southern parts to be carried to North Eastern regions.
Effects of Acid Rain
• The acid rain destroys the waxy coating on tree
leaves, making them vulnerable to weather changes
and can eventually kill them.
• Without functioning plants the CO2 levels would
increase.
• Acid rain takes away the nutrients of the soil and
leaves aluminum, which stunts the growth of trees.
• Acid rain affects people who have asthma, making
them have even more trouble breathing. Over time
it can become cancerous.
• Aquatic life is affected by the acidic water, and
minerals get into water from the ground.
What You Can Do
•
It’s never too late to start a
change to help decrease the
causes of acid rain.
•
Every person that changes their
habits contributes to a nationwide change.
•
Everyone is capable of small, yet
effective changes.
•
There is a potential for a strong
legislature to make a required
change to all parts of America.
Conserve Electricity
• Turning off appliances and
electronics of your household is a
quick and easy way to help
reduce acid rain.
-Reducing the amount of
electricity used reduces the
amount of electricity needed to
be created by power plants.
Reduce Driving
• Keeping driving to a minimum or car pooling
reduces the amount of Nitrogen Monoxide
released into the air.
– Alternative fuels such as E85 result in cleaner air!
Save Paper
• Conserve paper.
– Sulfur Dioxide is a byproduct during the
production of paper.
– Reusing paper is a good practice.
Fossil Fuels…
• Reduce the use of coal, wood, or natural gas for heat or
energy.
– The use of fossil fuels is the root cause of acid rain.
– One main problem is that everyday life depends on fossil
fuels.
RECYCLE!
• Reusing materials means less manufacturing of new materials.
– Most items used everyday can be recycled such as:
•Plastic
•Glass, steel, aluminum cans
•Paper
•Old refrigerators, heat pumps, and air conditioners
•Batteries
•Motor oil and tires
•Computer printers
•Compost
•And MORE!
Sources
http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/
http://www.ehow.com/how_2125851_prevent-acid-rain.html
http://www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/common.html
http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/acid_rain.shtml