ACID PRECIPITATION

What is acid precipitation? Precipitation with a pH of less than 5.6 Precipitation with a pH of less than 5.6 Normal precipitation has a pH of 5.6 due to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Normal precipitation has a pH of 5.6 due to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Carbon dioxide mixes with water to produce carbonic acid (acid in soda) Carbon dioxide mixes with water to produce carbonic acid (acid in soda) CO 2 + H 2 O → H 2 CO 3 CO 2 + H 2 O → H 2 CO 3 Includes acidic rain, fog, snow, mist, gas & dust Includes acidic rain, fog, snow, mist, gas & dust

What is pH? A measure of the acidity of a substance on a scale of A measure of the acidity of a substance on a scale of 0-14.

What causes acid precipitation? Pollution in the air causes it Pollution in the air causes it Sulfur dioxide combines with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric acid. Sulfur dioxide combines with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric acid. Nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric moisture to form nitric acid. Nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric moisture to form nitric acid.

What are the sources of the pollution? Sulfur emissions Sulfur emissions Volcanoes Volcanoes Marsh gases Marsh gases Human activity Human activity Nitrogen oxides Nitrogen oxides Produced by heat of lightning Produced by heat of lightning Human activity Human activity

Human Activity Sources What is the greatest source of sulfur dioxide that causes acid precipitation? What is the greatest source of sulfur dioxide that causes acid precipitation? What is the greatest source of nitrogen oxides that causes acid precipitation? What is the greatest source of nitrogen oxides that causes acid precipitation? Electrical utilities Highway vehicles

Human Activity Sources

How do electrical utilities cause pollution? Coal-burning power plants in the midwest release sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere Coal-burning power plants in the midwest release sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere SO 2 rises high into the atmosphere SO 2 rises high into the atmosphere Winds carry the SO 2 eastward to wetter climates Winds carry the SO 2 eastward to wetter climates SO 2 becomes part of precipitation SO 2 becomes part of precipitation

How do electrical utilities cause pollution?

What are the effects of acid precipitation on aquatic animals? Changes pH of surface water Changes pH of surface water Causes soil to release aluminum Causes soil to release aluminum These conditions are toxic to fish These conditions are toxic to fish Fish eggs don’t hatch Fish eggs don’t hatch Puts stress on fish Puts stress on fish Lower body weight, smaller fish Lower body weight, smaller fish Declined food supply Declined food supply

What are the effects of acid precipitation on aquatic animals? It changes the pH that water species can withstand It changes the pH that water species can withstand

What are the effects of acid precipitation on forests? Slows tree growth Slows tree growth Weakens trees making them vulnerable to disease and pests Weakens trees making them vulnerable to disease and pests

What are the effects of acid precipitation on soil? Depletes soil of nutrients needed by plants Depletes soil of nutrients needed by plants Higher acidity releases minerals & nutrients from soil, letting them wash away Higher acidity releases minerals & nutrients from soil, letting them wash away

What are the effects of acid precipitation on structures? Corrodes metals (bridges, railroads) Corrodes metals (bridges, railroads) Damages stone, especially those that are calcite based Damages stone, especially those that are calcite based Limestone, marble Limestone, marble

What are the effects of acid precipitation on humans? As minerals leach from the soil they can get into groundwater and our drinking supply As minerals leach from the soil they can get into groundwater and our drinking supply Substances such as lead, aluminum, and other metals can be toxic Substances such as lead, aluminum, and other metals can be toxic

What is being done to reduce acid precipitation? 1990 Clean Air Act 1990 Clean Air Act US Congress set policies for reducing sulfur emissions & nitrogen oxide emissions. US Congress set policies for reducing sulfur emissions & nitrogen oxide emissions. Many coal burning power plants have installed wet scrubber devices to reduce emissions of particulate matter & sulfur dioxide. Many coal burning power plants have installed wet scrubber devices to reduce emissions of particulate matter & sulfur dioxide. Many coal burning power plants are using low-sulfur coal Many coal burning power plants are using low-sulfur coal

Scrubbers

What can you do to reduce acid rain?