Environmental Engineering Report about Acid Rain

1. Koya University
Faculty of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department
3rd Stage (2021-2022)
Instructor
Dr. Zahid Omar Mustafa
Prepared by:
Submitted On
26 Mar. 2022
Environmental Engineering
Acid Rain
Safeen Yaseen Jafar
Ramazan Shkur Kakl
Ahmad Mamand Aziz
Rivan Dler Ali
Rokan Mohammad Omer
Ibrahim Ali

2. Table of Contents
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................2
2. What is acid rain or acid deposition: .........................................................................................................................3
3. Acid rain Deposition Types.........................................................................................................................................3
3.1 Wet deposition.........................................................................................................................................................3
3.2 Dry deposition. ........................................................................................................................................................3
4. Measuring Acidity of Rainwater ................................................................................................................................4
5. Formation Process of Acid Rain.................................................................................................................................5
5. Causes of Acid Rain (Sources of Acid Rain) .............................................................................................................6
5.1 Natural Sources........................................................................................................................................................6
5.2 Man-made Sources ..................................................................................................................................................6
6. Effects of Acid Rain.....................................................................................................................................................7
6.1 Effects of Acid Rain on Fish and Wildlife...............................................................................................................7
6.2 Effects of Acid Rain on Plants and Trees................................................................................................................7
6.3 Effects on Human Health.........................................................................................................................................7
7. How to Prevent Acid Rain Pollution..........................................................................................................................8
8. Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................................9
9. List of References.......................................................................................................................................................10

3. LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No. Page No.
Figure 1 ............................................................................................................................. 2
Figure 2 ............................................................................................................................. 3
Figure 3 ............................................................................................................................. 4
Figure 4 ............................................................................................................................. 5
Figure 5 ............................................................................................................................. 6
Figure 6 ............................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 7 ............................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 8 ............................................................................................................................. 8

4. ACID RAIN 1
Abstract
Acid rain is one of the most harmful factors that can affect our planet and cause it to
change in climate of the environment or even whole planet. So, in this report we discuss that
what the acid rain is, how it can form and measured, what are the effects of it when fall down
and finally how we can stop it. Because the acid rain not only things that make a pollution in the
environment but it can make many pollutants during its falling.

5. ACID RAIN 2
1. Introduction
Nowadays we have many of factors that affecting on our planet such as global warming,
environmental pollution which have bad effects on human, plants, and animals. One of these
factors or by another word we can say one of the most important things, that cause to pollution
(many types of pollution) is Acid Rain, Acid rain defined as rain that has large scale in acidity and
involve harmful pollutants which falling down during rain and affect atmospheric weather and
earth’s surface weather. And when acidic substances are present in the precipitation, it is known
as acid rain. Snow, fog, or pieces of dry material in the sky that float down to Earth might be
included in this precipitation. Acid rain occurs when substances in the atmosphere, such as sulfur
dioxide (SO2) or nitrogen oxides (NOx), combine with water to generate mild sulfuric or nitric acid
solutions. [1]
In the mid-1960s, acid rain was first detected in North America near Hubbard Brook, and
was subsequently proven to be caused by long-distance transport of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides from power plants. The 1990 Clean Air Act modifications were impacted by Hubbard
Brook research, which affected national and worldwide acid rain regulations. Hubbard Brook
researchers have continued to investigate the impacts of acid rain on forest development, soil
chemistry, and stream chemistry. [2]
And for more understanding we should know about acidic and basic compounds. So,
Acidity is measured using a pH scale. The pH scale spans from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most
acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. The term "neutral" refers to a substance with a pH of 7 that
is neither basic nor acidic. [3]
Fig. 1: Acid rain can affect trees.

6. ACID RAIN 3
2. What is acid rain or acid deposition:
Acid rain is a type of precipitation that contains a lot of acid. This indicates that it has a
high concentration of hydrogen ions, resulting in acidity or a low pH. Acid rain has the potential
to harm infrastructure as well as animals and plants. Acid rain, also known as acid deposition, can
harm coatings when it rains. Acid rain is rain that has been tainted by pollution in the atmosphere.
Acid rain is a sort of acid deposition that comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. [4]
3. Acid rain Deposition Types
There are two types of acid rain deposition:
3.1 Wet deposition
Wet deposition is rain, sleet, snow, or fog that has become more acidic than normal.
3.2 Dry deposition.
Dry deposition is another form of acid deposition, and this is when gases and dust particles
become acidic. Both wet and dry deposition can be carried by the wind, sometimes for very long
distances. Acid deposition in wet and dry forms falls on buildings, cars, and trees and can make
lakes acidic. Acid deposition in dry form can be inhaled by people and can cause health problems
in some people. [5]
Fig. 2: In this figure we can see both types of deposition of acid rain.

7. ACID RAIN 4
4. Measuring Acidity of Rainwater
Acidity of Clean or unpolluted rain has an acidic pH, but usually no lower than 5.7
How does the pH scale relate to acid rain?
The pH scale can be used to measure acid rain. The pH scale is a measurement of how
acidic or basic a thing is. The lower the number on the pH scale, the more acidic the material. On
the pH scale, a pH of 7 is considered neutral. On the pH scale, pure water should be a 7, but most
rain is about a 5.6. The pH of acid rain is little about 5.6. [6]
Fig. 3: The pH scale

8. ACID RAIN 5
5. Formation Process of Acid Rain
Acid rain mainly formed by reaction between oxygen and gases which released from
various facilities. Acid rain is one of the side effects of air pollution. Smog occurs when emissions
from industry, automobiles, or heating boilers come into contact with the water in the atmosphere.
Nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and sulfur trioxide are among the pollutants, which react with
water to produce sulfurous acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid, respectively. Another example of
this process is volcanic eruptions. [7]
Fig. 4: This figure shows the acid rain formation pathway.

9. ACID RAIN 6
We have many factors that cause to forming acid rain or to fall rain that has increased
acidity, and we know that some chemicals are released by contaminated erupting volcanoes, but
the common causes of acid rain is by human activities. Coal fired power stations, manufacturing,
and autos are the primary contributors. When people burn fossil fuels, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and
nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the atmosphere. When these contaminants react with water,
oxygen, and other substances in the air, sulfuric and nitric acid are generated. Acidic compounds
may be carried hundreds of kilometers across the sky by winds. Acid rain generates runoff water,
penetrates water systems, and seeps into the soil as it touches the ground. [8]
5. Causes of Acid Rain (Sources of Acid Rain)
Sulphur and nitrogen particles interact with the rain's wet components to form acid rain.
Sulphur and nitrogen particles that interact with water can be found in two ways: man-made, such
as emissions from industry, and natural, such as nitrogen ions released in the atmosphere by
lightning strikes and sulphur released by volcanic eruptions. [9]
5.1 Natural Sources
Volcanic eruptions are the
primary natural cause of acid rain.
Volcanoes release acid-producing
gases, which cause higher-than-normal
volumes of acid rain or other forms of
precipitation, such as fog and snow, to
the point that plant cover and
inhabitants' health are affected.
5.2 Man-made Sources
Acid rain is mostly caused by human activities that result in chemical gas emissions such
as sulfur and nitrogen. Air pollution sources that release sulfur and nitrogen emissions, such as
industries, power plants, and vehicles, are among the activities. [10].
Fig. 5: There are two types of sources that cause to
acid rain formation.

10. ACID RAIN 7
6. Effects of Acid Rain
Acid rain has a wide range of biological consequences, particularly for lakes, streams,
wetlands, and other aquatic ecosystems. Acid rain increases the acidity of such waterways, causing
more aluminum to be absorbed from the soil and transferred into lakes and streams. Crayfish,
clams, fish, and other aquatic species are poisoned by this combination. [11]
6.1 Effects of Acid Rain on Fish and Wildlife
Acid rain has the most visible
biological effects in aquatic environments
such as streams, lakes, and marshes, where
it may kill fish and other organisms. Acidic
rainwater can dissolve aluminum from soil
clay particles as it flows through the soil
and into streams and lakes. When acid is put
into the environment, aluminum is released
in higher quantities.
6.2 Effects of Acid Rain on Plants and Trees
The landscapes of acid rain-affected areas are cluttered with dead or dying trees. Acid rain
removes aluminum from the soil. Both plants and animals may be harmed by aluminum. Acid rain
also depletes the soil of essential minerals and nutrients for tree growth.
6.3 Effects on Human Health
Walking in acid rain or
swimming in acidic lakes poses
no more risk to humans than
walking in regular rain or
swimming in non-acidic lakes.
When present in the air,
however, compounds that cause
acid rain, such as SO2 and NOX,
as well as sulfate and nitrate
particles, can be harmful to
individuals. [12]
Fig. 6: Increased in acidity of the rain has harmful
effect on the animals such as fishes
Fig. 7: Trees or plants are most thing that affects by the acid
rain and cause the animals to die, because of eating by some
of animals

11. ACID RAIN 8
7. How to Prevent Acid Rain Pollution
Our parents' world is not the same as the world we will leave to our children. As a result
of our excessive use of nonrenewable fossil fuels in power plants, industries, and vehicles, we have
created acid rain pollution; for example, today's precipitation contains high levels of nitric and
sulfuric acids. Our seas, lakes, and rivers, as well as all of the animals that dwell in them, will
suffer as a result of this. [13]
We can summarize the prevent methods as following topics:
• Energy conservation.
• Transportation (alternate modes of transportation).
• Alternative fuels.
Fig. 8: We know that acid rain not harm only one region in our planet but
it can make the problems at many places or regions

12. ACID RAIN 9
8. Conclusion
To summarize, acid rain is a severe problem with harmful climatic repercussions. Many
health problems might be avoided if acid rain was no longer a problem. We may be able to lead to
a clear reduction in acid rain that does not damage the air. As the old adage goes, prevention is
better than cure. Humans may reduce emissions in a variety of ways, including by conserving
energy and driving ecologically friendly automobiles.

13. ACID RAIN 10
9. List of References
1. Earth Journalism Network. (2019) Acid Rain. [online] Available at:
https://earthjournalism.net/resources/acid-
rain#:~:text=Acid%20rain%20is%20formed%20when [Accessed 15 Mar. 2022].
2. www.nsf.gov. (n.d.). Acid Rain: Scourge of the Past or Trend of the Present? [online]
Available at:
https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=124955#:~:text=Acid%20rain
%20was%20first%20identified. [Accessed 19 Mar. 2022].
3. Epa.gov. (2019). Acid Rain Students Site: What is acid rain? [online] Available at:
https://www3.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/whatisacid.html. [Accessed 19
Mar. 2022].
4. Lane, C.N. (2003). Acid rain: overview and abstracts. New York: Nova Science
Publishers. Available at:
https://books.google.iq/books?id=C2I9fLYvwnEC&dq=best+book+for+acid+rain&sourc
e=gbs_navlinks_s [Accessed 19 Mar. 2022].
5. Lenntech.com. (2019). Acid deposition. [online] Available at:
https://www.lenntech.com/acid-deposition.htm. [Accessed 19 Mar. 2022].
6. www3.epa.gov. (n.d.). Acid Rain Students Site: PH Scale. [online] Available at:
https://www3.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/phscale.html#:~:text=However%2
C%20when%20rain%20combines%20with. [Accessed 21 Mar. 2022].
7. Activesustainability.com. (2016). What is acid rain and how is it formed? | Sustainability
for all. [online] Available at: https://www.activesustainability.com/climate-change/what-
is-acid-rain/. [Accessed 19 Mar. 2022].
8. Nunez, C. (2019). Acid Rain. [online] Environment. Available at:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/acid-rain. [Accessed 19 Mar.
2022].
9. Morgan, S. (2010). Acid rain. Mankato, Mn: Sea-To-Sea Publications. [eBook] Available
at:
https://books.google.iq/books?id=G2ZLPgAACAAJ&dq=Causes+of+Acid+Rain&hl=en
&sa=X&redir_esc=y [Accessed 19 Mar. 2022].
10. Rinkesh (2016). Causes, Effects and Solutions of Acid Rain. [online] Conserve Energy
Future. Available at: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-and-effects-of-
acid-rain.php. [Accessed 19 Mar. 2022].
11. Godbold, D.L. and Aloys Hüttermann (1994). Effects of acid rain on forest processes.
New York: Wiley-Liss. . Available at:

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https://books.google.iq/books?id=pYgUwmFfrOQC&dq=effects+of+acid+rain&source=
gbs_navlinks_s [Accessed 20 Mar. 2022].
12. United States Environmental Protection Agency (2016). Effects of Acid Rain. [online] US
EPA. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects-acid-
rain#:~:text=The%20ecological%20effects%20of%20acid. [Accessed 21 Mar. 2022].
13. Jeanne Yacoubou, (2021). How to Prevent Acid Rain - Green Coast. [online] Available
at: https://greencoast.org/how-to-prevent-acid-rain/. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2022].