Assignment Number: 3

Topic: Acid Rian

Submitted to: Muhammed Sahal

Head of Chemistry
Submitted by: Talha Rafiq

Remarks:_______________________
Signature:______________________

8
TALHA RAFIQ

MARCH

2015

CLASS: 8

Acid Rain

Acid Rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that
it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It can have harmful effects on
plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure.

Causes of Acid Rain

The principal natural phenomena that contribute acid-producing gases to
the atmosphere are emissions from volcanoes. Acid-producing gasses are also created
by biological processes that occur on the land, in wetlands, and in the oceans. The
major biological source of sulfur containing compounds is dimethyl sulfide.

Human activity
The principal cause of acid rain is sulfur and nitrogen compounds from human sources,
such as electricity generation, factories, and motor vehicles.
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very
high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other
chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain. Sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in water and can be carried very far by the wind. As
a result, the two compounds can travel long distances where they become part of the
rain, sleet, snow, and fog that we experience on certain days.

8
TALHA RAFIQ

MARCH

2015

CLASS: 8

Effect of Acid Rain:

Human Health
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 rainsulfur dioxide (SO 2) and nitrogen oxides
(NOx)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.

Visibility
Sulfates and nitrates that form in the atmosphere from sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and nitrogen
oxides (NOx) emissions contribute to visibility impairment, meaning we can't see as far
or as clearly through the air.

Materials
Acid rain and the dry deposition of acidic particles contribute to the corrosion of metals
(such as bronze) and the deterioration of paint and stone (such as marble and
limestone). These effects seriously reduce the value to society of buildings, bridges,
cultural objects (such as statues, monuments, and tombstones), and cars.

8
TALHA RAFIQ

MARCH

2015

CLASS: 8

Surface waters and aquatic animals

Both the lower pH and higher aluminium concentrations in surface water that occur as a
result of acid rain can cause damage to fish and other aquatic animals. At pHs lower
than 5 most fish eggs will not hatch and lower pHs can kill adult fish.

Forests and other vegetation

Adverse effects may be indirectly related to acid rain, like the acid's effects on soil (see
above) or high concentration of gaseous precursors to acid rain. High altitude forests
are especially vulnerable as they are often surrounded by clouds and fog which are
more acidic than rain.
Other plants can also be damaged by acid rain, but the effect on food crops is
minimized by the application of lime and fertilizers to replace lost nutrients.

8
TALHA RAFIQ

MARCH

2015

CLASS: 8

Chemical processes
Combustion of fuels produces sulfur dioxide and nitric oxides. They are converted into
sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

Gas phase chemistry

In the gas phase sulfur dioxide is oxidized by reaction with the hydroxyl radical via
an intermolecular reaction.
SO2 + OH HOSO2
which is followed by:
HOSO2 + O2 HO2 + SO3
In the presence of water, sulfur trioxide (SO3) is converted rapidly to sulfuric acid:
SO3 (g) + H2O (l) H2SO4 (aq)
Nitrogen dioxide reacts with OH to form nitric acid:
NO2 + OH HNO3

Chemistry in cloud droplets

When clouds are present, the loss rate of SO2 is faster than can be
explained by gas phase chemistry alone. This is due to reactions in the
liquid water droplets.
Hydrolysis
Sulfur dioxide dissolves in water and then, like carbon
dioxide, hydrolyses in a series of equilibrium reactions:
SO2 (g) + H2O SO2H2O
SO2H2O H+ + HSO3
HSO3 H+ + SO32

8
TALHA RAFIQ

MARCH

2015

CLASS: 8

References:

1. Wikipedia

2. Epa.Gov

3. Nsu.edu

4. Chemistry For You Author: Lawrie Ryan

Sources Mentioned.

8
TALHA RAFIQ

MARCH

2015

CLASS: 8