Essay on acid rain. Causes and harmful effects of acid rain

Hydrometeors with a pH below the norm, characterized by the presence of harmful substances, are acid rain. It can be snow, fog, rain or hail. Any of the species in the atmosphere and on earth can lead to an ecological disaster.

A couple of decades ago, the negative impact of this phenomenon worried only the scientific community. Now it causes great concern not only in the scientific world, but also among the general public, as well as various government agencies.

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Problem history

The impact of precipitation with a low water index on the environment was identified more than a hundred years ago by the British chemist R. Smith. The scientist was interested in smog and the substances in its composition. Thus was born the concept of acidity, which was immediately rejected by the advanced scientific community that time. His colleague spoke again about the hydrogen index 10 years later.

Chemist and engineer S. Arrhenius published a message about chemical substances ah, which can donate a hydrogen cation. He again drew the attention of scientists to the harmfulness of such precipitation, to what danger the phenomenon poses, and became the man who introduced the term: acid / base. Since then, these indicators have been considered the level of acids in the aquatic environment.

Svante Arrhenius

The main elements of hydrometeors are acid components. This substance is monobasic acids (sulfuric and nitric). Precipitation based on interacting gases (chlorine and methane) is less common. What they will be in composition depends on what chemical waste is in combination with water.

In short, the mechanism for the formation of the phenomenon is the combination of oxides that have entered the atmosphere with water molecules. During the interaction, the formation of chemical components - sulfuric and nitric acid.

Reasons for the appearance

Low pH hydrometeors are caused by elevated concentrations of sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. Compounds enter the atmosphere naturally or artificially created by man. Natural sources are:

The main reason is human activity. What is it? The factor that causes precipitation is air pollution. The most well-known pollutants are road transport and thermal power plants. A significant role in the occurrence of oxides in the atmosphere is played by the emission of industrial enterprises, nuclear tests. Hydrometeors with acid are formed in in large numbers in places where space rockets are launched.

Hydrometeors with acids are not only snow or fog, but also dust clouds. They form when toxic vapors rise into the air during dry weather.

The main reasons lie in the huge emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. The main ones here can be called chemical production, oil and gasoline storage facilities, solvents used by enterprises and in everyday life more and more actively every year. The problem of acid precipitation is very acute in areas where metal processing is concentrated. Production leads to the appearance of sulfur oxides in the atmosphere, which cause irreparable damage to flora and fauna.

Of all the above, the greatest danger is the phenomenon associated with atmospheric pollution by toxic waste from internal combustion engines. The gases rise into the air and cause oxidation. One of the reasons is nitrogen compounds released during the production of materials for the construction, construction of buildings, road construction. They also often result in low pH precipitation.

Interesting Facts:

• On Venus, smog is caused by the concentration of sulfuric acid in the atmosphere.
• On Mars, limestone and marble rocks are also corroded by poisonous acid rain in the form of fog.

The facts about such precipitation say that the problem of acid rain has existed for millions of years. On Earth, their influence is known from the prehistoric period. Almost 300 million years ago, the formation of acid rain led to the extinction of 90 percent of species.

Consequences for nature

Precipitation with a low pH level poses a risk of global disturbances in the biosphere. What harm do they do? About what are negative consequences precipitation data, environmentalists say:

Consequences for modern humanity

Unfortunately, the substance that makes the greatest contribution to the formation of acid precipitation is only increasing in the atmosphere every year. Acid rain as a global ecological problem identified clearly and seriously. Their most frequent formation is noted in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Why do the Scandinavian countries suffer the most? There are several reasons for this. First, wind-driven sulfur formations from Central Europe and Britain. Secondly, limestone-poor lakes contribute to acid rain. Reservoirs do not have much capacity to neutralize acids.

In Russia, acid precipitation is becoming more active every year. Environmentalists are sounding the alarm. The atmosphere over megacities is oversaturated chemical elements and dangerous substance. Especially often acid rain and smog over major cities fall in calm weather. In the Arkhangelsk region, acid precipitation is caused by the combustion of low-quality fuel. Pollution problem environment in the Arkhangelsk region has not changed for the better over the past ten years and is due to emissions of chemicals into the atmosphere. These are sulfuric and nitric acids, leading to the formation of acid precipitation. Not in the best way the situation is the same in Kazakhstan. There, acid precipitation is associated with the development of mining deposits and the activities of large test sites.

Negative consequences as a result of acid rain are noted in all countries without exception. As a result of their loss, not only the environment suffers. Chronic diseases such as allergies and asthma are exacerbating among the population. The problem is becoming more and more acute, because it has a great Negative influence on the health of modern people. It has been scientifically proven that they increase the number of oncological tumors. The main cause of precipitation is harmful emissions, which a person is not able to avoid. That is why doctors do not advise getting caught in the rain, protecting yourself with raincoats and umbrellas, and washing thoroughly after a walk. The consequences can be intoxication and the gradual accumulation of toxins in the body.

If you ask a question: what are the areas where acid rain most often forms? The answer to it is quite simple: in the places of greatest concentration of various industries and vehicles. However, it is not so easy to designate an area that is top in this regard. Why is acid rain dangerous? The fact that due to the wind changing its direction, precipitation can fall many kilometers from the metropolis or test site.

Control measures

The causes of acid precipitation have been studied quite fully. Despite this, the problem of acidic hydrometeors is only growing. There is a lot of talk about how to deal with acid rain, but the size of the environmental disaster is only increasing in scale. Examples of solving the problem are demonstrated in many developed countries.

Acid rain as a global environmental problem, along with such a problem as ozone holes, does not have a cardinal and quick solution. Many scientists and environmentalists believe that due to the development of the modern economy, it is generally impossible to do this. To the question: explain, provide evidence, they present graphs and tables of studies that indicate an increase in the degree of danger to nature and man. Now the solution to the problem is to reduce harmful emissions. The cause of the negative phenomenon must be eliminated. To do this, the following methods of dealing with acid rain are used:

• reducing the sulfur content in fuel reduces the causes of acid precipitation;
• the operation of tall pipes in enterprises is modern ways problem solving;
• technological improvement eliminates the causes and consequences of harmful emissions;
• liming of reservoirs is also an effective way to solve the problem.

It is worth noting that so far there is not even a hint that in the foreseeable future methods will be created to minimize the negative impact of acid precipitation on humans and nature.

History of the term

For the first time the term "acid rain" was introduced in the year by the English explorer Robert Smith. His attention was drawn to the Victorian smog in Manchester. And although scientists of that time rejected the theory of the existence of acid rain, today no one doubts that acid rain is one of the causes of the death of life in reservoirs, forests, crops, and vegetation. In addition, acid rain destroys buildings and cultural monuments, pipelines, renders cars unusable, reduces soil fertility and can lead to seepage of toxic metals into aquifers. Water regular rain is also a slightly acidic solution. This is due to the fact that natural substances in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), react with rainwater. This produces a weak carbonic acid (CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3). . While the ideal pH of rainwater is 5.6-5.7, real life The acidity (pH) of rainwater in one location may differ from that of rainwater in another location. This primarily depends on the composition of gases contained in the atmosphere of a particular area, such as sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxides. In the year, the Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius coined two terms - acid and base. He called acids substances that, when dissolved in water, form free positively charged hydrogen ions (H+). He called bases substances that, when dissolved in water, form free negatively charged hydroxide ions (OH-). The term pH is used as a measure of the acidity of water. The term pH means in translation from English - an indicator of the degree of concentration of hydrogen ions.

chemical reactions

It should be noted that even normal rainwater has a slightly acidic (pH around 6) reaction due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the air. Acid rain is formed by the reaction between water and pollutants such as sulfur oxide (SO2) and various oxides of nitrogen (NOx). These substances are emitted into the atmosphere by road transport, as a result of the activities of metallurgical enterprises and power plants. Sulfur compounds (sulfides, native sulfur and others) are found in coals and ores (especially a lot of sulfides in brown coals), when burned or roasted, volatile compounds are formed - sulfur oxide (IV) - SO 2 - sulfur dioxide, sulfur oxide (VI) - SO 3 - sulfuric anhydride, hydrogen sulfide - H 2 S (in small quantities, with insufficient firing or incomplete combustion, at low temperature). Various nitrogen compounds are found in coals, and especially in peat (since nitrogen, like sulfur, is part of the biological structures from which these minerals were formed). When such fossils are burned, nitrogen oxides (acid oxides, anhydrides) are formed - for example, nitric oxide (IV) NO 2. Reacting with atmospheric water (often under the influence solar radiation, the so-called "photochemical reactions"), they turn into solutions of acids - sulfuric, sulphurous, nitrous and nitric. Then, together with snow or rain, they fall to the ground.

Environmental and Economic Consequences

The consequences of acid rain are observed in the USA, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, the republics former Yugoslavia and in many other countries the globe. Acid rain has a negative impact on water bodies - lakes, rivers, bays, ponds - increasing their acidity to such a level that flora and fauna die in them. There are three stages of the impact of acid rain on water bodies. The first stage is the initial one. With an increase in water acidity (pH values ​​less than 7), aquatic plants begin to die, depriving other animals of the reservoir of food, the amount of oxygen in the water decreases, and algae (brown-green) begin to flourish. The first stage of eutrophication (bogging) of a reservoir. At pH6, freshwater shrimp die. The second stage - acidity rises to pH 5.5, bottom bacteria that decompose organic matter and leaves die, and organic debris begins to accumulate at the bottom. Then plankton dies - a tiny animal that forms the basis of the food chain of the reservoir and feeds on substances formed during decomposition by bacteria. organic matter. The third stage - acidity reaches pH 4.5, all fish die, most frogs and insects. The first and second stages are reversible when the effect of acid rain on the reservoir ceases. As organic matter accumulates at the bottom of water bodies, toxic metals begin to leach out of them. The increased acidity of the water contributes to a higher solubility of hazardous metals such as aluminum, cadmium, and lead from sediments and soils. These toxic metals pose a risk to human health. People, water drinkers those who are high in lead or who eat fish high in mercury can become seriously ill. Acid rain harms more than just aquatic life. It also destroys vegetation on land. Scholars believe that although today mechanism is not yet fully understood, “a complex mixture of pollutants including acid precipitation, ozone, and heavy metals together lead to forest degradation. Economic losses from acid rain in the US are estimated by one study to be $13 million annually on the East Coast, and by the end of the century, losses will reach $1.750 billion from deforestation; $8.300 billion in crop losses (only in the Ohio River Basin) and $40 million in Minnesota alone in medical costs. The only way to change the situation for the better, according to many experts, is to reduce the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

Literature

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See what "Acid Rain" is in other dictionaries:

- (acid rain) precipitation(including snow), acidified (pH below 5.6) due to the high content of industrial emissions in the air, mainly SO2, NO2, HCl, etc. As a result of acid rain entering the surface layer of the soil and ... ... Big encyclopedic Dictionary

- (acid rains), characterized by a high content of acids (mainly sulfuric); pH value<4,5. Образуются при взаимодействии атмосферной влаги с транспортно промышленными выбросами (главным образом серы диоксид, а также азота … Modern Encyclopedia

Rain caused by atmospheric pollution with sulfur dioxide (SO2). They have a biocidal effect, in particular, the death of fish (for example, in the water bodies of Scandinavia due to the transfer of gas emissions in the industrial cities of England). Ecological dictionary. Alma Ata: ... ... Ecological dictionary

acid rain- - rains with a pH of 5.6. General chemistry: textbook / A. V. Zholnin ... Chemical terms

- (acid rain), precipitation (including snow), acidified (pH below 5.6) due to the high content of industrial emissions in the air, mainly SO2, NO2, HCl, etc. As a result of acid rain entering the surface layer soil... encyclopedic Dictionary

One of the types of intense environmental pollution, which is the precipitation of drops of sulfuric and nitric acids with rain, arising from the reaction of sulfur and nitrogen oxides emitted into the air by industrial enterprises and transport, ... ... Geographic Encyclopedia

acid rain- (acid rain), chem. pollution of water resources, flora and fauna caused by the emission of exhaust gases from the combustion of fossil fuels. The acidity of rain, snow and fog increases due to the absorption of exhaust gases, advantageously ... ... Peoples and cultures

- (acid rain), atm. precipitation (including snow), acidified (pH below 5.6) due to increased. content in the air prom. emissions, Ch. arr. SO2, NO2, HCl, etc. As a result of K. d. getting into the surface layer of soil and water bodies, acidification develops, which ... ... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary

acid rain- are caused by the presence of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen in the atmosphere, which appear due to the oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen during the combustion of fossil fuels. Further oxidation occurs in the clouds, the reactions in which are catalyzed by ozone, ... ... Beginnings of modern natural science

Recently, quite often you can hear that acid rain has begun. It occurs when nature, air and water interact with various pollutants. Such precipitation gives rise to a number of negative consequences:

• diseases in humans;
• death of agricultural plants;
• reduction of forest areas.

Acid rain occurs due to industrial emissions of chemical compounds, the burning of petroleum products and other fuels. These substances pollute the atmosphere. Ammonia, sulfur, nitrogen, and other substances then react with moisture, causing the rain to become acidic.

For the first time in human history, acid rain was recorded in 1872, and by the twentieth century this phenomenon had become very frequent. From acid rain, the most harm is done to the United States and European countries. In addition, environmentalists have developed a special map that shows the areas most exposed to dangerous acid rain.

Causes of acid rain

The causes of poisonous rainfall are anthropogenic and natural. As a result of the development of industry and technology, plants, factories and various enterprises began to emit huge amounts of nitrogen and sulfur oxides into the air. So, when sulfur enters the atmosphere, it interacts with water vapor, forming sulfuric acid. The same thing happens with nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid is formed, falls out along with atmospheric precipitation.

Another source of air pollution is the exhaust gases of motor vehicles. Once in the air, harmful substances are oxidized and fall to the ground in the form of acid rain. The precipitation of nitrogen and sulfur into the atmosphere occurs as a result of the combustion of peat, coal at thermal power plants. A huge amount of sulfur oxide enters the air during the processing of metals. Nitrogen compounds are emitted during the production of building materials.

A certain part of the sulfur in the atmosphere is of natural origin, for example, sulfur dioxide is released after a volcanic eruption. Nitrogen-containing substances can be released into the air as a result of the activity of certain soil microbes and lightning discharges.

The effects of acid rain

There are many consequences of acid rain. People caught in such rain can ruin their health. This atmospheric phenomenon causes allergies, asthma, cancer. Also, rains pollute rivers and lakes, the water becomes unusable. All inhabitants of the waters are in danger, huge populations of fish can die.

Acid rain falls on the ground and pollutes the soil. This exhausts the fertility of the land, reducing the number of crops. Since precipitation falls over vast areas, it negatively affects trees, which contributes to their drying. As a result of the influence of chemical elements, metabolic processes in trees change, the development of roots is inhibited. Plants become sensitive to temperature changes. After any acid rain, trees can abruptly shed their leaves.

One of the less dangerous consequences of poisonous precipitation is the destruction of stone monuments and architectural objects. All this can lead to the collapse of public buildings and houses of a large number of people.

We need to seriously think about the problem of acid rain. This phenomenon directly depends on the activities of people, and therefore it is necessary to significantly reduce the amount of emissions that pollute the atmosphere. When air pollution is reduced to a minimum, the planet will be less prone to such dangerous precipitation as acid rain.

Solving the environmental problem of acid rain

The problem of acid rain is global in nature. In this regard, it can be solved only if the efforts of a huge number of people are combined. One of the main methods for solving this problem is to reduce harmful industrial emissions into water and air. At all enterprises it is necessary to use cleaning filters and facilities. The most long-term, expensive, but also the most promising solution to the problem is the creation of environmentally friendly enterprises in the future. All modern technologies should be used taking into account the assessment of the impact of activities on the environment.

Modern modes of transport bring a lot of harm to the atmosphere. It is unlikely that people will give up cars in the near future. Today, however, new environmentally friendly vehicles are being introduced. These are hybrids and electric vehicles. Cars such as Tesla have already won recognition in different countries of the world. They run on special batteries. Electric scooters are also gradually gaining popularity. In addition, do not forget about the traditional electric transport: trams, trolleybuses, metro, electric trains.

We should not forget that air pollution is carried out by people themselves. There is no need to think that someone else is to blame for this problem, and this specifically does not depend on you. This is not entirely true. Of course, one person is not able to release toxic and chemical agents into the atmosphere in large quantities. However, the regular use of passenger cars leads to the fact that you regularly release exhaust gases into the atmosphere, and this subsequently becomes the cause of acid rain.

Unfortunately, not all people are aware of such an environmental problem as acid rain. To date, there are many films, articles in magazines and books about this problem, so each person can easily fill this gap, realize the problem and begin to act for the benefit of its solution.

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How to deal with acid rain is a question that has long preoccupied the most enlightened minds of our time. The planet we inherited from our ancestors is no longer the same. And we will pass it on to our children in an even more deplorable state. Through the excessive burning of our non-renewable fossil fuels in power plants, factories and transportation, we have created pollution, acid rain and other environmental disasters.

Today, any rain has high levels of nitric and sulfuric acids. It has a devastating effect on our oceans, lakes and rivers, and on all life that inhabits our planet.

Actual problem

Acid rain is made up of pollutants in the air. Acid rain is a kind of precipitation that can appear in many forms. Wet precipitation such as rain, sleet, or fog contains a liquid with an elevated PH level. Dry precipitation is another form where gases and dust particles become acidic.

Energy conservation is the biggest step you can take to prevent acid rain. Modern humanity is simply obliged to reduce energy consumption. Among the simple tips, scientists list:

• Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
• Turn off computers and TVs.
• When you are not using an electrical appliance, simply turn it off to save energy.

Another major consumer of energy is your home's heating and cooling systems. Be sure to only use the conditioner for conditioning when you really need it. Also, when you leave the house, turn off the thermostats. It won't cost you anything, you'll just save energy.

Both types of precipitation can be blown away by the wind, sometimes over very long distances. Acid rain, in wet and dry forms, falls on buildings, cars and trees, leading to an increase in acidity in water bodies. Acid rain affects not only the environment, but also people.

What is acidity

Acidity is measured on the pH scale. The pH scale runs from zero (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). A substance that is neither alkaline nor acidic is called "neutral", and has an acidic pH of 7.

Preventing acid rain is a topic of great concern to scientists. They demand to reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide that comes out of coal-fired power plants. They offer various methods, the effectiveness of which can help humanity cope with this problem. Activists are looking for any solution to save our planet, get rid of harmful rainfall and prevent further pollution.

Pollution reduction

A solution was put forward - the use of coal, which contains less sulfur. An alternative would be to "flush" the coal to remove sulfur deposits. The power plant may also install equipment called scrubbers. Their purpose is to neutralize sulfur dioxide in the gases leaving the chimney.

Nitrogen oxides are created when coal and other fossil fuels are burned, but some power plants are not equipped to burn coal. The preventive functions of these devices are quite enough to significantly reduce the threat to the planet. Additional problems are caused by the re-equipment of these power plants.

Other energy sources

A great way to reduce the effects of acid doges is to produce energy without the use of fossil fuels. Instead, people can use renewable energy sources such as solar and wind farms. These methods can solve the problem of acid rain if used in combination.

Renewable energy sources help reduce acid rain because they produce far less pollution. These energy sources can be used for power engineering and power generation.

Alternative fuels are a great way to prevent acid rain and stop using non-renewable fuels. Consumers must switch to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and water power. Try using solar heating systems, batteries and powerful cars to help save the environment.

Environmentally friendly vehicles

Cars and trucks are the main sources of pollutants that cause acid rain. The problem is exacerbated by the amount of transport in cities. While one car does not produce much pollution, all the cars on the road together create serious pollution. Therefore, car manufacturers have an obligation to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxide and other pollutants coming from new cars.

One type of technology used in automobiles is called a catalytic converter. This equipment has been in use for over 20 years. It is designed to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides formed during the operation of vehicles. Some new vehicles may also use cleaner fuels such as natural gas.

Cars that produce less pollution and are better for the environment are often praised for their low emissions.

Methods of dealing with acid rain is one of the most pressing problems of modern society. Only a collective approach to solving this problem can lead to tangible results. Acid rain, without exaggeration, is the scourge of our time, which should be fought as soon as possible. Every person should ask themselves the question: “How exactly do you fight emissions into the atmosphere, and do you do it at all?” And I would like to hope that the answer will be positive.

As a child, I heard that acid rain is extremely dangerous for the environment, but at that time I did not attach much importance to this. Thought it was a normal kind of rain. It is only with age that you realize that acid rain is the result of air pollution.

What is acid rain

Acid rain is made up of water droplets that are unusually acidic due to atmospheric pollution, primarily containing excessive amounts of sulfur and nitrogen emitted by cars and industries. Acid rain is also referred to as acid deposition, as the term includes other forms of acid precipitation such as snow.

Causes of acid rain

Human activity is the main cause of acid rain. Over the past few decades, people have released so many different chemicals into the air that they have changed the mixture of gases in the atmosphere. Power plants emit most sulfur dioxide and most nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels.

Why is acid rain dangerous?

Acid rains are dangerous for all living and non-living things, they entail:

• Consequences for the air. Some components of acid pollution are sulfates, nitrates, ozone and hydrocarbon compounds.

• Implications for architecture. Acid particles also deposit on buildings and statues, causing corrosion.

• Consequences for materials. Acid rain destroys all materials and fabrics.

• Consequences for people. Some of the most serious effects of acid rain on humans are breathing problems.

• Consequences for trees and soils. Nutrients from the soil are neutralized. And trees are destined to die, deprived of vital nutrients.

• Consequences for lakes and aquatic ecosystems. Acid rain leads to a sharp change in the pH of water bodies.

Acid rain is a terrible phenomenon that should never be underestimated. If possible, protect your head with an umbrella or a hat - this is the minimum precaution.