A short presentation prepared for laboratory subject

1. Laboratory Presentation
Acid Rain pH , Causes and Effects
Research Paper Source : ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275344491
Prepared by : Aman Kumar
M.Sc. Integrated Chemistry
Department of Chemistry

2. Acid rain is one of the major environmental threats since 19th century.
Acid rain describes any form of precipitation that contains high levels of
nitric and sulphuric acids. It can also occurs in the form of snow and
fog. Normal rain is slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.6, while acidic rain
generally has a pH between 4.2 and 4.4.
Causes of acid rain
Rotting vegetation and erupting volcanoes release some chemicals that
can cause acid rain, but most acid rain is a product of human activities.
The biggest sources are coal burning power plants, factories and
automobiles. Winds may be spread these acidic compounds through the
atmosphere and over hunderds of miles. When acid rain reaches earth, it
flows across the surface in enters water systems, and sinks into the soil.

3. Effects of acid rain
Acid rain affects nearly everything. Plants, soil, trees, buildings and
even statues can be transformed by precipitation. Sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides are not primary greenhouse gases that contribute to
global warming, one of the main effect of climate change. Both gases
cause environmental and health concerns because they can spread easily
via air pollution and acid rain. Acid rain and fog also damage forests,
especially those at higher elevations.
Acid rain can also change the composition of soil and bodies of water,
making them uninhabitable for local animals and plants. For example,
healthy lakes have pH of 6.5 or higher. As acid rain raises the level of
acidity, fish tend to die off. Most of fish species cannot survive a water
pH of below 5. When the pH becomes a 4, the lake is considered dead,
according to National Atmospheric Deposition Program.

4. Fish kill due to acidification of river

5. What can be done to stop acid rain?
The only way to fight acid rain is by controlling the releasing of the
pollutents that cause it. This means burning fewer fossil fuels.
A great way to reduce acid rain is to produce energy without using fossil
fuels. Instead, people can use renewable energy sources, such as solar
and wind power. Renewable energy sources help reduce acid rain
because they produce much less pollution.