Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gases released from burning fossil fuels react with water and oxygen in the atmosphere. These acids can be transported long distances and affect areas far from where the emissions originated. Acid rain damages forests and fish populations by making soils and waterways too acidic. It also erodes buildings by accelerating the chemical breakdown of stone. Methods to reduce acid rain include installing flue gas desulfurization systems in power plants, increasing the height of smokestacks, improving energy efficiency, using cleaner-burning fuels, and developing renewable energy sources.

1. Problems of Burning Fossil Fuels: ACID RAIN

2. Learning objectives What is acid rain? How is acid rain formed? What effects does acid rain have on people and the environment?

3. The Formation of Acid Rain Burning fossil fuels in Transport, Industry, Homes, power stations produces sulpur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. These chemicals rise into the atmosphere and react with sunlight and ozone in the atmosphere; nitric and sulphuric acid are produced Gas, Oil, Coal Some falls back to Earth close to the source as dry particles, gas and aerosols (dry deposition) Some is dissolved in the moisture in the atmosphere making and can be carried large distances before falling as rain or snow (wet deposition)

4. Why is acid rain an international issue?

5. Why is it an international problem? The countries that are producing the majority of the Pollution that causes acid rain (Britain, Germany, USA) aren’t that badly affected by acid rain. Instead, the wind direction means the acid rain falls elsewhere (in Europe this affect Scandinavia; USA affects Canada).

6. Consequences of Acid Rain Acids activate aluminium from the soil which leaches into water and fish die. Drinking water is contaminated This stand of trees near Most, Czech Republic, has completely died. Buildings and precious stone objects are weathered away as the stone reacts with the acid When soil is contaminated, cereal (arable) production drops

7. How can acid rain be managed? gas flue desulfurization (water is sprayed down the chimneys and this turns the gases to sulfuric and nitric acids) construct taller chimneys use less energy more efficiently fluidized bed technology (limestone is burnt with the coal so that the sulfur remains with the limestone) burn coal that contains less sulfur use more nuclear or renewable energy

8. Examination question Name two gases that cause acid rain. List three ways in which acid rain can affect the environment. How can acid rain affect buildings? Give three ways in which acid rain can be reduced.