Power plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain.
What is the main human source of acid rain?
Causes of acid rain
The biggest sources are coal-burning power plants, factories, and automobiles . When humans burn fossil fuels, sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) are released into the atmosphere.
What are natural sources of acid rain?
The precursors, or chemical forerunners, of acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation , and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and nitrogen oxides (NO x ) resulting from fossil fuel combustion.
What are the major sources of acid rain Mcq?
It mostly occurs due to the presence of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen in the atmosphere . Nitrogen and sulphur oxides react with water vapour to form acids. Large amounts of sulphur and nitrogen oxides are emitted from power plants and large industries.
What are the main sources of acid rain in Canada?
Acid rain is caused largely by sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen emitted by industrial activities such as coal burning .
What are 3 effects of acid rain?
Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts on forests, freshwaters, and soils, killing insect and aquatic life-forms, causing paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges , and weathering of stone buildings and statues as well as having impacts on human health.
Is acid rain still a problem in 2020?
The quick version: Yes, acid rain is still around, and yes it’s still a problem . ... Rain is naturally slightly acidic, since picks up carbon dioxide in the air, producing carbonic acid. But when it starts absorbing industrial pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, the acidity becomes troublesome.
What are three natural causes of acid rain?
- Atmospheric Composition. The pH of rainwater in unpolluted regions is 5.6, making it a weakly acidic solution. ...
- Volcanic Eruptions. ...
- Lightning Strikes. ...
- Emissions from Vegetation.
Why acid rain is harmful?
Acid Rain Harms Forests
Acid rain can be extremely harmful to forests . Acid rain that seeps into the ground can dissolve nutrients, such as magnesium and calcium, that trees need to be healthy. Acid rain also causes aluminum to be released into the soil, which makes it difficult for trees to take up water.
How can acid rain be avoided?
Because nitrogen oxides are created in the process of burning coal and other fossil fuels, some power plants are changing the way they burn coal. A great way to reduce acid rain is to produce energy without using fossil fuels. Instead, people can use renewable energy sources , such as solar and wind power.
Who invented acid rain?
The phrase acid rain was first used in 1852 by Scottish chemist Robert Angus Smith during his investigation of rainwater chemistry near industrial cities in England and Scotland.
Which one of the following is not present in acid rain Mcq?
The last one is carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid thus contributing to acid rain. So, from all these gases only carbon monoxide does not react with water to form an acid.
What are two effects of acid rain?
Acid rain leaches aluminum from the soil . That aluminum may be harmful to plants as well as animals. Acid rain also removes minerals and nutrients from the soil that trees need to grow.
Why is acid rain a problem in Canada?
Acid rain is a problem in eastern Canada because many of the water and soil systems in this region lack natural alkalinity – such as a lime base – and therefore cannot neutralize acid naturally.
Can acid rain burn your skin?
Very strong acids will burn if they touch your skin and can even destroy metals. Acid rain is much, much weaker than this; it is never acidic enough to burn your skin .
How did acid rain affect Canada?
The ongoing industrialization of society has resulted in the increased release of acidic chemicals into the atmosphere. Acid rain has wiped out fishes, molluscs and frogs in thousands of Eastern Canada lakes . Acid rain has wiped out fishes, molluscs and frogs in thousands of Eastern Canada lakes (photo by Don E.
