Acid Rain

By: Alla Abdul Hafid 7e

Rainfall made sufficiently acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm, typically to forests and lakes. The main cause is the industrial burning of coal and other fossil fuels, the waste gases from which contain sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which combine with atmospheric water to form acids.

Introduction

Dictionary Definition of Acid rain

Acid gases are made when fossil fuels ( e.x. coal and oil) are burned in factories and our homes. The acid gases go up into the sky and mix with clouds to produce acid rain ( sometimes snow, sleet, fog, mist or hail.

What causes it ?

Effect on Building

Acid rain has a very bad effect on buildings. Especially on marble and limestone. It gives a bad effect on the stone because the acid is very harsh.

Effect on Water

When it rains acid, the acid rain falls down to the water and it mixes with the water and the water becomes acidic and dangerous.

Effect on Plant Life

Acid rain kills plants. It makes them fall of or die. Sometimes it tears them or leave marks on the plant. It also damages the soil and make plants grow slower. Acid rain also might change the color of the plant.

Effect on Humans

Sometimes Acid rain does not harm us a lot. But other times Acid rain can be corrosive to human health. It can make people sick. It can even cause dangerous diseases or dis-orders, in the lungs like asthma.

How do we prevent it ?

If factories stop polluting the air with their dangerous acids, then there will be no more acid rain in the air. We can also reduce the amount of the gasses going into the air by reducing our electricity uses.

Bibliography

"What Is Acid Rain? | Acid Rain | US EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what/>.

"Acid Rain Effects - Buildings." Elmhurst College: Elmhurst, Illinois. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. <http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/196buildings.html>.

"Acid Rain - Causes, Effects, and Solutions." Geography Home Page - Geography at About.com. Amanda Briney. Web. 13 Dec. 2011. <http://geography.about.com/od/globalproblemsandissues/a/acidrain.htm>.