Acid rain facts

Answer 1

›Acid rain is the combination of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide from polluting clouds from nuclear reactor and other fossil fuels. › This then combines with oxygen and water forms into rain clouds which consists of nitric acid and sulphuric acid.

› The acid then rains , snows ,forms sleet or fog is formed from the acid rain cloud depending on the current temperature of the atmosphere.

›Acid rain smells and looks like normal rain when it is falling.

›The majority of the acid rain comes from the nuclear reactors in foreign countries (not including Australia)

Answer 2

•Land Acid rain impacts crop growth and soil structure. It can affect the growth of plants as many plants have a specific soil for optimum growth. In addition it can leach nutrients out of the topsoil, into the groundwater and into the water table. The leaching of nutrients from the soil makes them unavailable to plant life

•How it formed

•Acid rain is caused by the release of the gases SO2 sulphur dioxide and NOX nitrous oxides. The main sources of SO2 in South Africa are coal-fired power stations and metal working industries. The main sources of NOX emissions are vehicles and fuel combustion

•Acid rain looks, feels, and tastes just like clean rain. The harm to people from acid rain is not direct. Walking in acid rain, or even swimming in an acid lake, is no more dangerous than walking or swimming in clean water. However, the pollutants that cause acid rain sulfur dioxide And nitrogen oxides do damage human health. These gases interact in the atmosphere to form fine sulfate and nitrate particles that can be transported long distances by winds and inhaled deep into people's lungs. Fine particles can also penetrate indoors. Many scientific studies have identified a relationship between elevated levels of fine particles and increased illness and premature death from heart and lung disorders, such as Asthma and bronchitis

•Water Acidic water affects the growth and health of fish and other aquatic life, by reducing the pH of the water and impacting the health and breeding success of the fish and aquatic invertebrates. It also dissolves metals out of sediments and rocks to increase the metal lead in the water

Answer 3

Several good questions come to mind:

* What is the local rain pH * What local activities contribute to Acid Precipitation * What local regulations are in place that limit acid gas emissions * What erosion has happened to local infrastructure due to Acid Precipitation

Answer 4

Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which react with the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids. It can harm aquatic ecosystems, damage forests, erode buildings and monuments, and impact human health by contaminating drinking water and increasing respiratory issues. Governments have implemented regulations to reduce the emissions that cause acid rain and mitigate its effects on the environment.