1. Chapter
Acid Precipitation

2. 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

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

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

6. 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

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

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

10. 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

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

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

13. Acropolis in Greece

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