What is Acid Rain? | National Geographic

Summary

Acid rain is precipitation with high levels of sulfuric and nitric acids, often caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels. These gases release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which form acids that can travel long distances. Acid rain harms ecosystems by making water toxic to aquatic life and damaging forests. It disrupts the food chain, affecting both aquatic and non-aquatic species. Reducing acid rain requires cleaner power plants and fewer fossil fuel emissions, which can help lower the pollutants that contribute to this environmental issue.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acid rain is any form of precipitation with high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids.
• 🌧️ It can occur in the form of snow, fog, or even dry materials that settle on the Earth.
• ⚡ The main cause of acid rain is human activities, specifically the burning of fossil fuels.
• 🌬️ When fossil fuels are burned, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere.
• 🔬 These gases react with water, oxygen, and other substances to form sulfuric and nitric acid.
• 🌍 Winds can carry these acidic solutions over hundreds of miles.
• 🌊 After acid rain falls, it enters water systems, poisoning aquatic life like fish, clams, and other species.
• 🐦 Acid rain affects not only aquatic animals but also non-aquatic species such as birds.
• 🌳 Forests are harmed by acid rain, damaging trees and leaves and depleting the soil of essential nutrients.
• 💧 Acid rain makes it harder for trees to absorb water, contributing to their decline.
• 🌱 Reducing fossil fuel usage and designing cleaner power plants can help reduce the pollutants that cause acid rain.

Q & A

What is acid rain?

Acid rain is any form of precipitation, such as rain, snow, or fog, that has high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids.

How does acid rain form?

Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, released by human activities like burning fossil fuels, react with water, oxygen, and other substances in the atmosphere to create sulfuric and nitric acids.

What human activities contribute to acid rain?

The burning of fossil fuels by humans, such as in power plants and vehicles, contributes to acid rain by releasing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

Can acid rain fall in forms other than rain?

Yes, acid rain can fall as snow, fog, or even as dry materials that settle to the earth.

What happens to acid rain after it falls to Earth?

After acid rain falls to Earth, it enters water systems as runoff and sinks into the ground, potentially contaminating water sources.

How does acid rain affect aquatic life?

Acid rain makes water toxic to aquatic animals such as fish, clams, and other species, disrupting the food chain in water systems.

How does acid rain harm forests?

Acid rain damages trees by affecting their leaves, depleting the soil of essential nutrients, and making it harder for trees to absorb water.

What other species are affected by acid rain apart from aquatic animals?

Non-aquatic species, such as birds, are also affected by acid rain as it disrupts the entire food chain.

What can be done to reduce acid rain?

To reduce acid rain, cleaner power plants can be designed, and the use of fossil fuels can be minimized to lower the release of harmful pollutants.

What are the primary pollutants responsible for acid rain?

The primary pollutants responsible for acid rain are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are released into the atmosphere through human activities.