When Sulphur-dioxide and Nitrous Oxide dissolve in water present in t...
When the quantity of acids in the raining water is more than the average, 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 that are acidic can be blown by the wind and 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, burning 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 to reach 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 causes irritation in 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
Important Point:
Eutrophication: It is an enrichment of water by nutrient salts that causes structural changes to the ecosystem.
Compounds that contain nitrogen and phosphorus (fertilizers) drives the eutrophication. These nutrients are generally not toxic.
Effects: They can have a large impact on the health of rivers and estuaries, such as increased production of algae and aquatic plants, depletion of fish species, general deterioration of water quality.