Acid Rain - Causes, Effects and Control Measures

Acid rain is the precipitation or deposition of some industrial gases when come in contact with water having a pH lower than 5.6. It is caused by process of reaction of industrial gases with water in the atmosphere. Simply acid rain can be defined as a rain with a pH less than 5.6. Acid rain or acid deposition is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components such as sulphuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the
atmosphere in wet or dry forms.


Causes of Acid rain
Various developmental works are going on in the world. They use fossil fuel. When they are burn they liberate carbon dioxide. Various industries produce sulphur dioxide, nitrous oxide, etc. On the other hand various natural processes also produce the toxic gases. Volcanic eruption releases huge amount of toxic gases in the atmosphere. Forest fire also takes place which release acidic gases like carbon dioxide. They react with rain water and form carbonic acid. It falls with rain water called acidic rain.
There are various compounds which cause acidification of rain. For example; various compounds formed by sulphur like sulphur dioxide, sulphur trioxide, hydrogen sulphide,etc react with rain water and form sulphuric acid. This acid falls with rain water. Chlorine and hydrochloric acid can also fall with rain water. Similarly, oxides of nitrogen; nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc. can also react with rain water and fall with rain called acid rain.

Effects of Acid rain
  • Acid rain brings various health problems in plants and animals.
  • Various rocks are eroded. Old monuments are decolorized and corroded.
  • Statues, roof of the monuments and houses using zinc, copper, bronze, etc. are eroded.
  • Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem will be affected.
  • Acidity of the soil will be increased and the productivity of the crops will be decreased.
  • It affects the growth of green vegetations.
  • Acid rain causes several human hazards like irritation in eyes and skin, disorder in respiratory system, food poisoning in case of drinking water containing acid water.
  • Aquatic animals are directly affected. Their reproductive behavior, loss and change in food and habitat.
  • Useful organisms are replaced by harmful one.
Control of Acid rain
  • Population growth should be controlled.
  • Several emission reducing devices like electrostatic precipitators, scrubbers, etc can be used to reduce air pollution.
  • Alternative sources of energy can be used instead of fossil fuel.
  • Formulation of national and international laws to regulate emission.
  • Increasing public awareness for the solution of acid rain.
Stay safe!!

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