What Is Acid Rain

 What Is Acid Rain

Humans generally understand acid rain to mean the addition of acid to raindrops. Because carbon dioxide (CO2), a significant component of the atmosphere that is highly soluble in water, is a component of clear or natural rain, it does contain a small amount of acid. It dissolves in the rainwater after a downpour, making regular rainwater slightly acidic as a result. This natural rain has a pH between 5 and 6. Acid rain, on the other hand, is defined as rain with a pH below this. The acidity or basicity of a substance is determined by its pH. The pH of pure water is 7, which is regarded as neutral. Acidic compounds are those with a pH below this, and basic substances are those with a pH above 7.

 

How Is Acid Rain Formed

It is created when the gas mixture we previously stated reacts with the water in the air to make it. Rainwater becomes increasingly acidic when these gases react with water to form sulfuric acid. Nitric acid and sulfuric acid are two other acids that are produced.

                                image: Weather & Climate

Gasses That Cause Acid Rain

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions are flowing out of the volcano after it erupted. When these two gases mix with water vapour and oxygen in the atmosphere, acid rain results.

 

What Is The Effect Of Acid Rain

Acid rain has a variety of effects. People caught in such rain risk having health problems. Allergies, asthma, and oncological disorders are all brought on by this environmental issue. Rain also contaminates lakes and rivers, rendering them useless. There is a risk to all aquatic life, including big fish populations.

The soil is contaminated by acid rain that falls on the earth. As a result, there are fewer crops since the soil is less fertile. The negative effects of atmospheric precipitation on the trees cause them to dry out since it occurs across a vast area. Chemical elements have an impact on metabolic processes in trees, causing root growth to be hindered. Plants are sensitive to temperature changes. Any acid rain can cause trees to abruptly lose their foliage.

Stone monuments and architectural features being destroyed is one of the less dangerous effects of toxic rain. All of these could result in the collapse of public structures and the homes of numerous individuals.

There needs to be considerable thought put into the acid rain issue. Since this pattern is directly influenced by human activity, it should substantially reduce the amount of emissions that harm the environment. Acid rain and other damaging precipitation will be less likely to occur on Earth when air pollution is reduced.