Acid rain is simply drops of rain containing some amounts of acid sulphuric acid and nitric acid. In broader terms, acid rain refers to the concoction of wet (rain, snow, sleet, fog, clouds and dew) and dry (acidifying particles and gases) acidic components, leading to elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH).
How is Acid rain formed?
Acid is a result of both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation; and man-made sources like primarily emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel combustion. Electric power generations that rely on burning of fossil fuels like coal, are one of the biggest contributors of Acid rain.
Acid rain occurs when the gases in question react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The results are mild solutions of sulphuric acid and nitric acid, but good enough to have serious consequences.
How extensive are the effects of Acid Rain?
When sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released from power plants and other sources, prevailing winds blow these compounds across state and national borders, sometimes over hundreds of miles. Thus, influence of acid rain can be felt up to far off places.
What are its effects on Soils?
The acidic water flows over and through the ground, adversely affecting soil biology and chemistry.
Some microbes present in the soil are unable to the tolerate changes made by acid rain and are killed. The hydronium ions of acid rain also mobilize toxins like aluminium and leach away essential nutrients and minerals such as magnesium. Thereby, acid rain indirectly affects forests, plants and aquatic life-forms.
High altitude forests surrounded by clouds and fog, which are sometime more acidic than rain, are especially vulnerable.
What are the effects of Acid rain on Human health?
Though human health is not directly affected by acid rain, the particulates responsible for acid rain (sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) do have an adverse effect. The increased amounts of fine particulate matter in the air lead to heart and lung problems like asthma and bronchitis.
Acid rain has the ability of harming humans via the soil where the food we eat is grown. Acid rain is responsible for breaking loose toxic metals from the chemical compounds they occur in naturally.
What are the effects of Acid rain on Historical Monuments?
Acid rain has been held responsible for ruining the marble walls and pillars of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal in India. Acid rain reacts with calcium to form calcium bicarbonate, which can be easily washed away. St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and the Statue of Liberty in New York are known to be few victims of acid rain.
