1. A CID R AIN Some Stay Dry and Others Feel the Pain

2. What is acid rain? Precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids Precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids Two types Two types Wet deposition Wet deposition E.g. rain, fog, snow E.g. rain, fog, snow Dry deposition Dry deposition acidic gases and particles acidic gases and particles

3. Cause: air pollution Fossil fuels burning Fossil fuels burning Emit sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide Emit sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide Chemicals absorbed into atmosphere Chemicals absorbed into atmosphere Reactions occur => acidic compounds Reactions occur => acidic compounds Acidic compounds spread Acidic compounds spread Wind Wind Run-off water Run-off water

4. But, hey, what’s wrong with a few acidic compounds in precipitation? Destroys ecosystems Destroys ecosystems Kills off wildlife Kills off wildlife Example: small fish can be killed by high acidic levels in their water Example: small fish can be killed by high acidic levels in their water

5. As you can see, this cycle is just like the water cycle… with a zing!

6. Cycle simplified

7. Prevention Reduce emissions from air pollutants Reduce emissions from air pollutants Walk or bike; don’t drive all the time! Walk or bike; don’t drive all the time! Use public transportation or carpool Use public transportation or carpool Recycle Recycle Less waste=Less pollutants Less waste=Less pollutants Conserve Energy Conserve Energy

8. What is being done currently? EPA Clean Air Act EPA Clean Air Act Controls air pollution Controls air pollution Reduce smog, haze, acid rain, and more Reduce smog, haze, acid rain, and more Phases out chemicals that destroys the atmosphere Phases out chemicals that destroys the atmosphere Beverly Hills sorts through trash for recyclable items Beverly Hills sorts through trash for recyclable items

9. Contacts Environmental Protection Agency 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Environmental Protection Agency 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Senator Dianne Feinstein United States Senate 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Senator Dianne Feinstein United States Senate 331 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Read more about the Clean Air Act on epa.gov Read more about the Clean Air Act on epa.gov