ACID RAIN

Members: BALKIS BINTI SAMSUDDIN (D20091035120)

NORUJAMNAH BINTI ISMAIL(D20091035097)

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this lesson students are able to: 1. Describe the meaning of acid rain 2. Explain the formation of acid rain. 3. State the causes and effect of acid rain to the environment. 4. Identify the ways to overcome acid rain.

DEFINATION

CAUSES

CONTENT

FORMATION

EFFECTS

Definition of Acid Rain

Acid rain also called acid precipitation or acid deposition.
Acid rain is precipitation of harmful amounts of

nitric and sulfuric acids formed primarily by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. It is wet precipitation in form of rain, snow, or fog. Acid rain has a pH below 5.6. Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6, which is slightly acidic.

Causes of acid rain

Natural sources
Emission of volcanoes

Human sources
Industrial factories Burning petrol in vehicles

Biological process

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

HUMAN SOURCE
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is generally a byproduct of

industrial processes and burning of fossil fuels. Ore smelting, coal-fired power generators and natural gas processing are the main contributors of sulfur dioxide.
The main source of NOx emissions is the

combustion of fuels in motor vehicles, residential and commercial furnaces, industrial and electrical-utility boilers and engines, and other equipment.

Formation of acid rain

Nitrogen cycle

Sulfur cycle

AREA THAT AFFECTED BY ACID RAIN

Canada

Russia

Industrial country

Germany

China

Effects of Acid Rain - lake Harmful to aquatic life. Increase acidity in water bodies.

Stops eggs of certain organisms (e.g. fish) to stop hatching. Fish usually die only when the acid level of a lake is high but they become sick and stunted growth and lose their ability to reproduce when the acid level is lower.

Effect changes of aquatic life population ratio and affect the ecosystem.

Effect of Acid Rain -plant & soil Leeches toxins from soil, poisoning plants Leeches nutrients from soil, slowing plant growth

Creates brown spots in leaves of trees, impeding photosynthesis

Increase acidity in soil

Harmful to vegetation

Allows organisms to infect through broken leaves

Effects of Acid Rain

Effects of Acid Rain -builing &paint decay of building materials and paints, including

irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage that made from sandstone and limestone. Acid rain dissolves the stonework and mortar of buildings reacts with the minerals in the stone to form a powdery substance that can be washed away by rain

Effects of Acid Rain - human health Respiratory problems, difficult to breath for asthma,

dry coughs, headaches and throat irritations. caused by the sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides from acid rain. 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 and plants.

Solution
1. Reduce amount of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide released into the atmosphere:
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

2. Liming
Powdered limewater added to water and soil to

neutralize acid Used extensively in Norway and Sweden Expensive, short-term remedy

3. Use other sources of electricity Nuclear power Hydro-electricity Wind energy Geothermal energy Solar energy)

Nuclear energy

Hydro enegy

Solar energy

Wind energy

Geothermal energy