Chapter 12 - 3 Acid Precipitation

What causes acid precipitation? Acid precipitation – rain, sleet, and snow that contains high levels of acid Burning fossil fuels Releases gas that combine with water in atmosphere Sulfuric acid Nitric acid

Acid Precipitation Kills living things pH – power of hydrogen Animals Plants pH – power of hydrogen Measure of how acidic or basic something is

pH Higher pH – more basic Lower pH – more acidic Water = 7.0 Normal precip = 5.6 Acid precip < 5.0

Plants Acidification – a drop in the pH level of soil Dissolves some nutrients and washed away Causes toxic metals to release and absorb into roots

Plants Sulfur dioxide – clogs openings on plant surfaces Dissolved from acids

Aquatic Ecosystems pH changes can kill fish Aluminum leaches out of soil Suffocates fish

Aquatic Ecosystems Acid shock - Kills fish and amphibians Spring Acids in snow melts rush into lakes and streams Kills fish and amphibians Defects with eggs and development

Humans Aluminum and mercury absorbed into crops Respiratory system problems Industry affected Fisheries Forestry

Humans Dissolves calcium carbonate Destroys building and monuments Concrete Marble Limestone Destroys building and monuments

Acropolis in Greece

International Conflict and Cooperation Acid precipitation in an international problem Pollution knows no boundary