1. Acid Rain How does it form? Where is this a problem?
What does it do to ecosystems and people?

2. Acid Deposition formation: Secondary or primary pollutant
Acid Deposition formation: Secondary or primary pollutant? Sources for precursors? Transportation? Wet or dry deposition?
Practice diagram interpretation. Answer the questions in your quad based on the diagram. Be ready to explain what observation lead you to your inference.
Answers: secondary – SOX from source, but “acid rain” from clouds after mixing in air
Sources – trucks, factories – arrows point away
Yes, transported – arrows suggest transportation
Both wet and dry deposition (snow/particles vs. rain)

3. Formulas you need to memorize:
SO3 + H2O = H2SO4 (sulfuric acid)
NOx + H2O = 2HNO3 (nitric acid)
These are two forms (flavors) of acid deposition.
Top is balanced. NOx formula is not balanced because it is a summary equation of many steps that students don’t need to know.

4. Acid rain < pH 5.6 THIS IS NOT ACID RAIN!!!
Normal rain
CO2 + H2O  H2CO3 (carbonic acid)
Normal rain is always slightly acidic!
THIS IS NOT ACID RAIN!!!
THIS IS NOT POLLUTION!!!!
Acid rain < pH 5.6
All rain is acidic, but not all rain is acid rain.

5. OBSERVATIONS. IS ACID RAIN A BIG PROBLEM IN HOUSTON
OBSERVATIONS? IS ACID RAIN A BIG PROBLEM IN HOUSTON? WHERE IS ACID RAIN A BIG CONCERN?

6. Global acid rain areas of concern

7. Add a new page to your flip chart
Second page – acid rain
Draw the same atmosphere layers, sources, and“talkie bubbles” in blue or black
Add precursors for acid rain in the bubbles in RED.
Copy the two acid rain equations in the troposphere in RED. Which equation should you NOT add in?

8. Effects on terrestrial systems:
Direct damage to leaves and roots
Weak trees are susceptible to insects and disease

9. Acid deposition leaches nutrients from soil and makes toxins (Al3+) more soluble

10. Effects on Aquatic ecosystems
Loss of biodiversity
Range of tolerance
Jelly-like fish eggs broken down
Acidity denatures enzymes
Acid shock – sudden increase in acidity, often in spring can cause fish kills
Aluminum ions (Al3+) are released from lake bed, suffocating fish
Below pH4.5, lakes devoid of fish

11. Cultural effects of acid rain
Marble and limestone
Acid breaks down these basic materials

12. Many famous buildings are being damaged
Taj Mahal
Parthenon

13. Statue of liberty
Loss of artistic detail in Acropolis

14. Human health effects of acid rain
Contributes to bronchitis and asthma

15. Acid Rain: Check your notes!
How does it form?
Where is this a problem?
What does it do to ecosystems (aquatic and terrestrial systems) and people?