1. What is it and what are it’s affect?
Today on “What’s up, on earth?” We have a guest speaker:
JESSICA RASSEL
Speaking about….
Acid Rain…
What is it and what are it’s affect?

2. What is acid and what is the cause of acid rain?
Acid is a substance that can be extremely sour in foods and in some chemical containing acid it can even burn through the skin.
The cause of acid rain is when pollutants containing acid. The most common being sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOX). They usually blow around for along time but eventually make their way back to earth in the form of rain, snow, hail and even fog and dust.

3. What is pH?
pH is the amount of acid found in a substance. As you can see to the right there are many different pH levels. The lower the pH level the more acid it contains. Normal rain is usually around 5.6 on the pH scale. The reason for this is that it contains carbon dioxide.

4. Is Acid Rain getting more or less acidic?
Well that is a win lose situation. You see eastern Canada cut their emissions of sulphur dioxide in half and still the pH level for rain in Ontario ranges from 3.9 up 4.4. This is almost 40x more acidic than normal rain.

5. How does acid rain affect lakes, rivers and streams, and what happens to the animals living there?
Acid rain affects water bodies by dying out most of their species. Things like fish, plankton, shells and other organism all start to suffer as the water is to acidity for them to live in. Thing like moss and larvae do benefit from the acidity level but they are about the only ones.

6. What does acid rain do to trees and forest?
It can affect the trees and forest by making them unable to withstand the cold weather, germinate, or reproduce. As well nutrients that trees need to survive disappear because of acid rain. Things like deformation don’t usually show up right away.

7. What is the connection between acid rain and human health.
Urban smog is the main affect. Urban smog is that haze that sits over a city all the time. The particle matter that floats around can get stuck in a persons lungs and damage tissues and inflame the lungs. Lots of people are know being checked into hospitals with heart and respiratory problems.

8. What is being done to stop acid rain?
Firstly there is a way for you to help.
Install a low-flow showerhead.
Run the dishwasher only with a full load.
Run the washing machine with a full load.
If using an automatic dishwasher, let the dishes air dry.
Hang dry some-or all-of the laundry.
Buy energy-efficient appliances.
Avoid the use of air conditioners altogether.
Turn out the lights in empty rooms and when away from home.
Consider installing compact fluorescent bulbs instead of high-wattage incandescent bulbs.
Turn off the hot water tank when going away for extended periods of time.
Install additional insulation on the hot water tank and pipes.
Insulate and draft-proof your basement.
Consider changing to a low-maintenance landscape.
If you have a pool, keep a cover over it when you are not using it.
Walk, ride your bike or take a bus to work.
Share a ride with a friend or co-worker.
Have your engine tuned at least once every six months.
Check your car tire pressure regularly.
Use alternative fuels, such as ethanol, propane or natural gas.
Avoid unnecessary idling.
In the winter, warm your car's engine with a block heater for two to three hours prior to driving, rather than plugging in the battery overnight.
Reduce the number of trips you make in your car.

9. For more information… http://www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain/