Members: BALKIS BINTI SAMSUDDIN (D20091035120)

NORUJAMNAH BINTI ISMAIL(D20091035097)

ACID RAIN

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this lesson students are able to: 1. Describe the meaning of acid rain 2. Explain the formation of acid rain.

3. State the causes and effect of acid rain to the environment. 4. Identify the ways to overcome acid rain.

Definition of Acid Rain

Acid rain also called acid precipitation or acid deposition.

Acid rain is precipitation of harmful amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids formed primarily by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned.

It is wet precipitation in form of rain, snow, or fog.

Acid rain has a pH below 5.6. Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6, which is slightly acidic.

Causes of acid rain

Natural Sources

Emissions from volcanoes and from biological processes that occur on the land, in wetlands, and in the oceans contribute acid-producing gases to the atmosphere

HUMAN SOURCE

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is generally a byproduct of

industrial processes and burning of fossil fuels. Ore smelting, coal-fired power generators and

natural gas processing are the main contributors

of sulfur dioxide. The main source of NOx emissions is the

combustion of fuels in motor vehicles, residential and

commercial furnaces, industrial and electrical-utility

boilers and engines, and other equipment.

Formation of acid rain

Nitrogen cycle

Sulfur cycle

AREA THAT AFFECTED BY ACID RAIN

Industrial country

Canada

Germany

China

Russia

Effects of Acid Rain - lake -

Effect of Acid Rain -plant & soil -

Effects of Acid Rain

Effects of Acid Rain -builing &paint- decay of building materials and paints,

including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage that made from sandstone and limestone.

Acid rain dissolves the stonework and mortar of buildings

reacts with the minerals in the stone to form a powdery substance that can be washed away by rain

Effects of Acid Rain - human health -

Respiratory problems, difficult to breath for asthma, dry coughs, headaches and throat irritations.

caused by the sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides from acid rain.

Leeching of toxins from the soil by acid rain can be absorbed by plants and animals. When consumed, these toxins affect humans severely.

Brain damage, kidney problems, and Alzheimer's disease has been linked to people eating "toxic" animals and plants.

Solution

1. Reduce amount of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide released into the atmosphere:

Use less energy (hence less fuel burnt)

Use cleaner fuels

Remove oxides of sulphur and oxides of nitrogen before releasing Flue gas desulphurization Catalytic Converters

2. Liming Powdered limewater added to water and soil to

neutralize acid

Used extensively in Norway and Sweden

Expensive, short-term remedy

3. Use other sources of electricity

Nuclear power

Hydro-electricity

Wind energy

Geothermal energy

Solar energy)

Nuclear energyHydro enegy Solar energy

Wind energy Geothermal energy