What are the two major acid rain pollutants?
What are the two major acid rain pollutants?
Power plants generate the electricity we use every day. Unfortunately, power plants also produce large amounts of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide—the pollutants that cause acid rain—when they burn fossil fuels, especially coal, to produce energy.
What are the major sources of acid deposition?
The biggest sources are coal-burning power plants, factories, and automobiles. When humans burn fossil fuels, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the atmosphere. Those air pollutants react with water, oxygen, and other substances to form airborne sulfuric and nitric acid.
What is acid rain Short answer?
Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.
What are 3 effects of acid rain?
It has been shown that acid rain has detrimental effects on trees, freshwaters and soils, destroys insects and aquatic life-forms, causes paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and sculptures, as well as impacts on human health.
What are the 2 most common forms of acid deposition What are their chemical formula?
1 Answer. Sulfuric acid ( H2SO4 ), nitric acid ( HNO3 ), and carbonic acid ( H2CO3 ) are the major components of acid rain.
What are four effects of acid deposition?
What is acid rain 4th class?
Acid rain is rain that has been made acidic by certain pollutants in the air. Acid rain is a type of acid deposition, which can appear in many forms. Wet deposition is rain, sleet, snow, or fog that has become more acidic than normal.
What are natural causes of acid rain?
Acid rain can be formed by natural causes, such as volcanic eruptions. More commonly, however, acid rain is due to human activities. Burning fossil fuels, manufacturing, oil refineries, electricity generation, and vehicles all release sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
How can we prevent damage from acid rain?
Purchase energy-saving appliances; carpool, use public transportation, walk, or bike whenever possible; keep your thermostat low in the winter and high in the summer; insulate your house; and turn off lights, computers, and appliances when you’re not using them. “Effects of Acid Rain.” Environmental Protection Agency.
How does acid rain affect us?
Acid Rain Can Cause Health Problems in People Air pollution like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can cause respiratory diseases, or can make these diseases worse. Respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic bronchitis make it hard for people to breathe.