Acid rain refers to any kind of precipitation that transports nitrogen and sulfur compounds to the Earth's surface. The only precaution that we can take against acid rain is having a check at the emission of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur. The reaction occurring is : The pH value of regular rainwater is around 5.7, giving it an acidic nature. Acid rain is formed when nitrogen oxides or sulfur oxides in the atmosphere react with suspended water droplets and produce acids. Wet Deposition: This is the most common form of acid rain. In general, the acid rain affects men, but not directly. Man-made sources for the sulfur and nitrogen compounds that form acid rain are the by-products resulting from the burning of fuels for industry, electricity production and transportation. The sulfuric acid reacts with the limestone in a neutralization reaction. (a) When sulphur dioxide dissolves in water, sulphurous acid is formed. The chemical reaction equation for the production of acid rain resulting from sulfur oxides is: SO2 + HOH -> H2SO3. Acid rain. According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, which considers him the “father of acid rain,” the word acid rain was invented in 1852 by Scottish chemist Robert Angus Smith. It washes away all nutrients which are required for the growth and survival of plants. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants , known as acid rain. When acid rain falls down and flows into the rivers and ponds it affects the aquatic ecosystem. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground. Acid deposition reacts with metals such as iron to form salts. Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds such as sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen are released into the air. We have so far seen the details of acid rain and its harmful effect on animals, plants and the monuments. In other words, we can get really sick if acid rain doesn’t stop, and we eat those things. They get mixed with the rain and fall on the earth’s surface as acid rain. Required fields are marked *. Normal acidity of rain water is 5.6 H20 (1) + C02 (g) H2C03 (aq) Because of S02 & N02 gases as pollutants in atmosphere. Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes. Effect of Limestone Calcium carbonate, [Ca][CO 3] is a very common mineral. Acid rain - Acid rain - Chemistry of acid deposition: Acid rain is a popular expression for the more scientific term acid deposition, which refers to the many ways in which acidity can move from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface. The chemical reaction equation for the production of acid rain resulting from sulfur oxides is: SO 2 + HOH -> H 2 SO 3.The reaction equation for acid rain produced from nitrogen oxides is: 2NO 2 + HOH -> HNO 2 + HNO 3. It has been shown that acid rain has detrimental effects on trees, freshwaters and soils, destroys insects and aquatic life-forms, causes paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and sculptures, as well as impacts on human health. Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with water are found in two ways either man-made i.e as the emissions are given out from industries or by natural causes like how a lightning strike in the atmosphere releases nitrogen ions and sulphur is released from volcanic eruptions. There are other electricity sources as well, such as nuclear power, hydropower, and geothermal energy. The calcium sulfate is soluble in water and hence the limestone dissolves and crumbles. The oxides of nitrogen and sulphur are blown away by the wind along with the dust particles. What Are the Chemical Reaction Equations for Acid Rain. Among these, the most extensive use is among nuclear and hydropower. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the majority of the sulfur dioxide that forms acid rain comes from power plants generating electricity. In 1852, Robert Angus Smith was the first to show the relationship between acid rain and atmospheric pollution in Manchester, England. The reaction equation for acid rain produced from nitrogen oxides is: 2NO2 + HOH -> HNO2 + HNO3. When atmospheric pollutants like oxides of nitrogen and sulphur react with rainwater and come down with the rain, then this results in Acid Rain. The original acid (hydrogen ions) have been converted to water in these reactions. The formation of calcium sulphate results in the corrosion of this beautiful monument. The regular clean rain we experience, even though it is not clean i.e water and carbon dioxide react together to form weak carbonic acid which essentially by itself is not extremely harmful. Introduction to acid rain Normal rain water is always slightly acidic because C02 present in atmosphere, get dissolved in it form carbonic acid. Acid Rain as the name suggests can be said to be the precipitation of acid in the form of rain in the simplest manner. Example – the burning of fossil fuels, unethical waste emission disposal techniques. H 2 CO 3--> CO 2 gas + H 2 O. Acid deposition can be caused by natural sources such as volcanoes, but it is mainly caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide during fossil fuel combustion.When these gases are discharged into the atmosphere, they react with the water, oxygen, and other gases already present there to form sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid. Limestone: CaCO 3 + H 2 SO 4--> CaSO 4 + H 2 CO 3. It damages the buildings and monuments made up of stones and metals. Therefore, ionic conductivity occurs which leads to an increase in the rate of electrochemical corrosion reactions such as rusting. Why does it matter? Acid rain is a byproduct of both natural and man-made conditions. Causes of Acid Rain Though natural sources like rotting of vegetation and volcanic eruptions are said to cause acidification, we believe it’s mostly human activities, which catalyze the release of sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, and nitric oxides in the air. SO 2 (g) + H 2 O(l) → H 2 SO 3 (aq) (b) Sulphur dioxide can react with oxygen and water to form sulphuric acid. Since the Industrial Revolution, emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere have increased. The ecological consequences of acid rain are seen most strongly in marine habitats, such as streams, lakes and marshes where fish and other wildlife can be toxic.
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