Many ancient monuments have been spoilt by acid rain which isa)Rainwa...
When the quantity of acids in the raining water is more than the average, then such rain is called 'Acid rain'.
We are aware that normally rainwater has a pH of 5.6. When the pH of the rainwater drops below 5.6, it is called acid rain.
Acid rain refers to the ways in which acid from the atmosphere is deposited on the earth’s surface. Oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, which are acidic in nature, can be blown by the wind along with solid particles in the atmosphere and finally settle down either on the ground as dry deposition or in water, fog and snow as wet deposition.
Acid rain is a byproduct of a variety of human activities that emit the oxides of sulphur and nitrogen in the atmosphere. As mentioned earlier, the burning of fossil fuels (which contain sulphur and nitrogenous matter) such as coal and oil in power stations and furnaces or petrol and diesel in motor engines produce sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
SO2 and NO2 after oxidation and reaction with water are major contributors to acid rain because polluted air usually contains particulate matter that catalyzes the oxidation.
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) + 2H2O (l) → 2H2SO4 (aq)
4NO2 (g) + O2 (g)+ 2H2O (l) → 4HNO3 (aq)
The bad effects of acid rain
- When acid rain falls and flows as groundwater reaches rivers, lakes, etc., it affects plants and animal life in the aquatic ecosystem.
- Acid rain is harmful to agriculture, trees, and plants as it dissolves and washes away nutrients needed for their growth.
- It causes respiratory ailments in human beings and animal
- It may also cause corrosion in many buildings bridges, monuments, fencing, etc
- It irritates the eyes and skin of human beings
- This rain reduces the lustre of the metals too
- Acid rain damages buildings and other structures made of stone or metal
- The Taj Mahal in India has been affected by acid rain