Acid Rain
Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of acid component precipitation, with a pH of 5.2 or below, such as sulfuric or nitric acid, which, in wet or dry forms, falls from the atmosphere to the ground. This includes acidic rain, snow, fog, hail etc. These components are mainly produced due to human activities resulting in the emission of sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen oxides. In this essay, we shall discuss the causes and consequences of Acid rain.
Long and Short Acid Rain Essays in English for Students and Children
Acid rain is composed of extremely acidic water droplets that form as a result of air pollutants, notably the excessive quantities of sulphur and nitrogen produced by cars and manufacturing operations. Because this idea encompasses a wide range of acidic precipitation, it is commonly referred to as acid rain.
There are two primary types of acidic deposition- wet and dry. Wet deposition basically means the precipitation that occurs due to acids from the atmosphere and their deposits on the earth's surface. Dry deposition of harmful particles and gases refers to the deposition on the earth in the absence of precipitation via dust and smoke.
Acid rain is caused by Sulphur and Nitrogen particles that interact with moist components of rain. Sulphur and nitrogen particles undergo combination with the water primarily in two ways: man-made (emissions from industries) or natural (e.g., a lightning strike in the sky releases nitrogen ions and volcanic eruptions release sulphur).
Real-Life Examples
The Taj Mahal, one of the world's seven wonders, is severely damaged by acid rain. Agra has various factories that generate sulphur and nitrogen oxides into the environment. The deterioration of this wonderful monument is caused by the production of calcium sulphate.
The copper Statue of Liberty has also shown damages due to the continuous impact of acid rain and oxidation for over 30 years and is thus becoming green.
Acid rain causes severe damage to crops, vegetation, and animals. It wipes out the nutrients that plants require for growth and life. Acid precipitation has an impact on agriculture since it changes the soil's makeup. Because it changes the chemical makeup of the water, it is hazardous to the survival of the marine ecology and produces pollution. Acid precipitation also causes corrosion of water pipelines, which leads to the leaching of heavy metals such as iron, lead, and copper into the beverage. It causes harm to structures and monuments constructed of stone and metal.
The only preventative measure that can be taken up is the reduction of nitrogen and sulphur oxide emissions.
Short Essay on Acid Rain
Acid rain is damaging to animals, vegetation, and historic structures.
As responsible citizens, we take measures to spread awareness and counter the adverse impacts they produce, as well as the companies that are responsible for the unethical disposal of nitrogen and sulphur compound pollutants.
Acid rain has the greatest biological impact on coastal ecosystems, such as streams, lakes, and marshes, where fish and other species can be hazardous. As acidic rainfall runs through the soil and spills into streams and lakes, it can drain aluminium from soil clay particles.
Acid Rain is made up of extremely acidic water droplets that form as a result of air pollution, notably the excessive quantities of sulphur and nitrogen produced by cars and manufacturing operations. This notion is sometimes referred to as acid rain since it encompasses a wide range of acidic precipitation. Normal rainfall has a pH of roughly 5.7 indicating that it is acidic. Acid rain is a natural result of human activity.
FAQs on Essay on Acid Rain: Understanding the Causes and Effects of Acid Rain
1. Can acid rain directly affect people?
Humans are harmed when they breathe in polluted air, which may lead to lung difficulties and even cancer. Drinking water tainted by acid rain can cause brain damage over time. Apart from these, acid rain can have adverse effects on crop production and this, in turn, will have detrimental effects on the human body in the long run. Sulphur dioxide and oxide are the primary compounds involved in acid precipitation. In other words, if acid precipitation does not cease and we eat certain products, we will become unwell. In general, acid precipitation has an indirect impact on humans. Hence it is of utmost concern that the issue of acid rain is dealt with as soon as possible and with stringent countermeasures.
2. What are the disadvantages of acid rain?
The downsides of acid: Acid may cause skin irritation and serious burns.
The acid can cause eye discomfort and even blindness.
Acidity may be caused by an increase in hydrochloric acid output in the stomach.
The acid may cause clothing and materials to burn.
Apart from these, there are many other significant adverse effects of acid rain and hence stringent measures are the need of this hour to counter this problem of acid rain.
3. What is currently being done to counter acid rain?
The steps that are being taken to combat acid rain-
Alternative energy sources Stopping the use of nonrenewable fuels and switching to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and water energy is a good strategy to reduce acid rain. This alternative energy will become more available to the general people as technology advances.
The two methods undertook by the government at attempting to control acid rain.
Allowances and the selling of allowances Emissions monitoring and Continuous Emissions Monitoring systems Data on emissions and allowances were gathered.
4. Can acid rain damage buildings?
Acid rain can damage buildings, monuments, and statues with large amounts of carbonate, particularly those made from rocks, like limestone and marble. Acids react with the calcium compounds in the stones in the rain to form gypsum, which then flakes off. On old gravestones, acid rain can cause the inscriptions to become completely illegible. The corrosion rate of metals, especially iron, steel, copper, and bronze, is also increased by acid rain.
5. Is acid rain still an issue?
The phenomenon called acid rain was a well-known environmental issue in Europe and North America during the 1970s and '80s, appearing frequently in news features. Since that time, stories about climate change, global warming, biodiversity issues, and other environmental concerns have supplanted the visibility of acid rain in the media. Acid rain still occurs, but because of strong air pollution regulations in those regions, its impact on Europe and North America is far less than it was in the 1970s and '80s.
