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Their causes and consequences - actual problems ecology, causing serious concerns for any sane person. Find out why they fall out, as well as what danger they pose.
What is acid rain
Considering the most pressing global environmental problems, many scientists note the formation acid rain. And in order to assess the consequences of their impact, it is worth first understanding the essence of the phenomenon. Normally, the acidity of any precipitation should be in the range of 5.6-5.8 pH. In this case, the water is a slightly acidic solution that does not cause any consequences and does not affect the environment.
If the acidity of precipitation increases for some reason, it becomes acidic. This term was coined by the Scottish-born chemist Robert Angus Smith in the second half of the 19th century. The problem of acid rain emerged in that distant time, but today it is the most relevant and acute.
Normally, precipitation that falls periodically should have a slightly acidic environment. This is due to the fact that the natural elements that make up the atmosphere (for example, carbon dioxide) react with water, resulting in the formation of a small amount of carbonic acid. The mechanism by which acid rain forms is due to pollutants that penetrate and become trapped in the lower atmospheric layers.
The main component of precipitation with high acidity, as studies have shown, is sulfur oxide. In the atmosphere, as a result of a photochemical oxidative reaction, a certain part of it is transformed into sulfuric anhydride, and it, in turn, in contact with water vapor, turns into sulfuric acid. From the remaining amount of sulfur oxide we get sulfurous acid, which, oxidizing at high humidity, gradually becomes sulfur.
Another commonly found constituent is nitric oxide, which also reacts with water to form acids.
Fun fact: If you want to figure out what acid rain looks like, you probably won't be able to tell it apart from normal rain. Increased acidity does not appear and does not change appearance precipitation.
Why does acid precipitation occur?
The causes of acid rain are numerous and the following are the main ones:
- The main reason is emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles. As a result of fuel combustion, vapors rush into the atmosphere and, reacting with water, significantly increase the acidity of precipitation.
- Activities of thermal power plants. Upon combustion various types fuel used to generate heat, there are constant emissions harmful substances into atmospheric layers.
- Acid rain is associated with active mining, processing and use of minerals such as coal, ore, gas and others. They have been used by mankind for quite a long time, and few people think about the dangers of fuel combustion, due to which a large amount of gas is released. carbon dioxide and various pollutants.
- Among the causes of acid rain formation, one can note natural ones, that is, those that do not depend on humans, but are associated with natural phenomena and processes. Thus, during volcanic eruptions, many compounds are released and released into the atmosphere, for example, sulfur oxides, sulfates, hydrogen sulfide. Emissions are also caused by lightning discharges and the activity of microorganisms living in the soil.
- Another reason for the appearance of precipitation with high acidity is the rotting of animal and plant corpses. During these processes, nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds arise, which, when they enter the atmospheric layers and react with moisture, turn into acids.
- Among the causes of acid rain, one should highlight the activities of various industrial and processing enterprises engaged in metal processing, production of metal parts, and mechanical engineering. Many factories and factories do not use treatment and filtering facilities, so harmful emissions enter the environment and greatly pollute it.
- Another reason why acid rain is formed is the active use by people of various aerosols and sprays, which contain hydrogen chloride and other equally harmful compounds.
- Acid rain is also caused by leakage of freon from refrigeration equipment and air conditioners.
- Precipitation with increased acidity is caused by the production of certain building materials.
- Fertilizing the soil, especially with toxic compounds, for example, nitrogen-containing ones.
Real threats
What are the negative consequences of acid rain, what harm does it cause? This is real ecological problem, which represents real threat for the entire ecosystem, environment and man.
Let's look at the main consequences of acid rain:
- Acid rain causes great damage flora. Firstly, such precipitation damages foliage and stems. Secondly, penetrating into the soil, they change its composition, making the soil poor, infertile or even toxic.
- The negative impact of acid rain on the environment extends to water bodies: sedimentary water enters them and accumulates, changing the natural composition. As a result, the environment changes and becomes unsuitable for the life of different aquatic life, including fish.
- Another area of harm from acid rain is the destruction of buildings, monuments, and architectural structures. Acids, when they get on materials, gradually destroy and literally corrode them.
- Acid rain is also very dangerous for humans. Although the concentration of acids, as a rule, does not reach such a level as to corrode the skin, it is still negative impact occurs. Thus, such precipitation can cause heavy allergic reactions which are caused by harmful compounds entering the body. And some scientists believe that with prolonged exposure to precipitation with high acidity, cancer can occur.
- The negative effects of acid rain affect animal world. The acids contained in the composition can affect the coat and also penetrate into the plants consumed by some animals. Often such exposure leads to death, but mutations are possible.
How to solve a problem
The highly acidic rain that appears from time to time is primarily the result of human activity. Therefore, humanity must solve the problem. To reduce the amount of precipitation with high acidity, you should reconsider your attitude towards the environment and life on the planet.
Such measures as the introduction of cleaning systems and the installation of filtering equipment in factories and factories, reducing the volume of fuel used and developing alternative energy sources, and the abandonment of toxic fertilizers will help change the situation for the better.
Helpful tip: to protect yourself from negative consequences precipitation follows rainy weather use an umbrella or raincoat and avoid getting any drops on open areas skin. In this case, the rain will not harm you.
The problem of precipitation with high acidity is very urgent and requires comprehensive solution. We need to act together and in several directions.
Hydrometeors with a pH below normal and characterized by the presence of harmful substances are acid rain. It could be snow, fog, rain or hail. Any of the species in the atmosphere and on earth can lead to an environmental disaster.
Just a couple of decades ago the negative impact this phenomenon Only the scientific community was concerned. Now it is causing great concern not only in the scientific world, but also among the general public, as well as various government agencies.
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History of the problem
The effect of precipitation with a reduced water index on the environment was outlined more than a hundred years ago by the British chemist R. Smith. The scientist became 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 of the time. Ten years later, his colleague started talking about the hydrogen index again.
The 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 the danger the phenomenon poses, and became the person who coined 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 acidic components. This substance is monobasic acids (sulfuric and nitric). Precipitations based on interacting gases (chlorine and methane) are less common. What their composition will be depends on what chemical waste is combined with water.
In short, the mechanism of formation of the phenomenon is the combination of oxides released into the atmosphere with water molecules. During the interaction, the formation of chemical components occurs - sulfuric and nitric acid.
Reasons for appearance
Hydrometeors with low pH levels are caused by increased concentrations of sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. Compounds enter the atmosphere either naturally or man-made. Natural sources are:
The main reason is human activity. What is it? The factor causing precipitation is air pollution. The most famous pollutants are road transport and thermal power plants. Emissions from industrial enterprises play a significant role in the formation of oxides in the atmosphere. nuclear tests. Hydrometeors with acid are formed in large quantities in places where space rockets are launched.
Vostochny Cosmodrome. Launch of the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle with 19 satellites Hydrometeors with acids are not only snow or fog, but also dust clouds. They are formed when toxic gases and 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 include chemical production, oil and gasoline storage facilities, and solvents, which are used by enterprises and in everyday life more and more actively every year. Problem acid precipitation It 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 greatest danger represents a phenomenon that is associated with atmospheric pollution by toxic waste from internal combustion engines. Gases rise into the air and cause oxidation. One of the reasons is nitrogen compounds released during the production of materials for construction, building construction, and road construction. They also often result in sediments with low pH.
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 toxic acid precipitation in the form of fog.
The facts about such precipitation show that the problem of acid rain has existed for millions of years. Their influence has been known on Earth since prehistoric times. Nearly 300 million years ago, the formation of acid rain led to the extinction of 90 percent of species.
Consequences for nature
Precipitation with pH low level pose a danger of global disturbances in the biosphere. What harm do they cause? Ecologists talk about the negative consequences of this precipitation:
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 environmental problem has become clear and serious. Their most frequent formation is observed in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. Why do the Scandinavian countries suffer more than all others? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, wind transport of sulfur formations from Central Europe and Britain. Secondly, lakes poor in limestone contribute to acid rain. Reservoirs do not have much ability to neutralize acids.
In Russia, acid precipitation is increasing every year. Environmentalists are sounding the alarm. The atmosphere over megacities is oversaturated chemical elements And dangerous substance. Acid rain and smog are especially common major cities fall out in calm weather. IN Arkhangelsk region acid precipitation is caused by the combustion of low-quality fuel. The problem of environmental pollution in the Arkhangelsk region has not changed for the better for the last ten years and is caused by emissions of chemicals into the atmosphere. These are sulfuric and nitric acids, leading to the formation of acid precipitation. Not in the best possible 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 observed in all countries without exception. As a result of their loss, not only the environment suffers. Chronic diseases such as allergies and asthma are becoming more acute among the population. The problem is becoming more acute because it has a great impact Negative influence to your health modern people. It has been scientifically proven that they cause an increase in the number of cancer tumors. The main cause of precipitation is harmful emissions, which humans are unable to avoid. This is why doctors advise against getting out 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.
Children, young people and older people suffer from allergies and asthma If you ask the question: name the areas where acid rain most often forms? The answer is quite simple: in places with the greatest concentration of various industries and vehicles. However, identifying a top region in this regard is not so easy. Why is acid rain dangerous? Because due to the wind changing its direction, precipitation can fall many kilometers from a 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. Much is said about how to combat acid rain, but the dimensions environmental disaster are 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 radical and quick solution. Many scientists and environmentalists believe that due to the development of modern economics, this is completely impossible to do. 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 humans. 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 combating acid rain are used:
- reducing the sulfur content in fuel reduces the causes of acid precipitation;
- the operation of high pipes in enterprises represents modern ways problem solving;
- improved technology 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 there is still 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.
Acid rain - all types of meteorological precipitation - rain, snow, hail, fog, sleet - in which there is a decrease in the pH of rainfall due to air pollution with acidic oxides, usually sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides
Acid rain is one of the terms that industrialization brought to humanity.
First mentioned back in 1872, the concept became truly relevant only in the second half of the 20th century.
Every food has a certain level of acidity rainwater. But in the normal case, this indicator corresponds to a neutral pH level - 5.6-5.7 or slightly higher.
Prerequisites for increasing the acidity of atmospheric water arise when industrial enterprises emit large volumes of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. The most typical sources of such pollution are vehicle exhaust gases, metallurgical production and thermal power plants (CHP). Unfortunately, modern level The development of purification technologies does not allow filtering out nitrogen and sulfur compounds that arise as a result of the combustion of coal, peat, and other types of raw materials that are used in industry.
Consequences of acid rain
1 Acid rain significantly increases the acidity of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, as a result of which their natural flora and fauna gradually die out. As a result of changes in the ecosystem of water bodies, they become swamped, clogged, and have increased silt. In addition, as a result of such processes, water becomes unsuitable for human use. It increases the content of heavy metal salts and various toxic compounds, which under normal conditions are absorbed by the microflora of the reservoir.
2 Acid rain leads to forest degradation and plant extinction. They especially suffer coniferous trees, since the slow renewal of foliage does not give them the opportunity to independently eliminate the effects of acid rain. Young forests are also very susceptible to such precipitation, the quality of which is rapidly declining. With constant exposure to water with high acidity, trees die.
3 In the USA and Europe, acid rain is one of the common causes of poor harvests and the extinction of agricultural crops over vast areas. Moreover, the reason for such damage lies both in the direct effect that acid rain has on plants and in disturbances in soil mineralization.
4 Acid rain causes irreparable damage to architectural monuments, buildings, and structures. The action of such precipitation causes accelerated corrosion of metals and failure of mechanisms.
5 Given the current acidity that acid rain has, in some cases it can cause direct harm to humans and animals. First of all, people in the zones increased danger suffer from diseases of the upper respiratory tract. However, the day is not far off when the saturation of harmful substances in the atmosphere will reach a level at which enough sulfuric and nitrate acid will fall out in the form of precipitation. high concentration. In such a situation, the threat to human health will be significantly higher.
It is almost impossible to deal with precipitation itself. Falling over vast areas, acid rain causes significant damage, and constructive solution there is no such problem.
Another thing is that in the case of acid rain, it is critically necessary to combat not the consequences, but the causes of this phenomenon. The search for alternative sources of energy production, environmentally friendly vehicles, new production technologies and technologies for purifying emissions into the atmosphere is an incomplete list of what humanity must attend to so that the consequences do not become catastrophic.
History of the term
The term “acid rain” was first coined this year by the English researcher Robert Smith. The Victorian smog in Manchester caught his attention. 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 water bodies, forests, crops, and vegetation. In addition, acid rain destroys buildings and cultural monuments, pipelines, renders cars unusable, reduces soil fertility and can lead to toxic metals seeping into aquifers. The water of ordinary rain is also a slightly acidic solution. This occurs because natural atmospheric substances such as carbon dioxide (CO2) react with rainwater. This produces weak carbonic acid (CO2 + H2O -> H2CO3). . While ideally the pH of rainwater is 5.6-5.7, real life The pH value of rainwater in one area may be different from that of rainwater in another area. This, first of all, depends on the composition of gases contained in the atmosphere of a particular area, such as sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxides. In 2009, 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 an indicator of the acidity of water. The term pH means, translated 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 about 6) reaction due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the air. Acid rain is formed by a reaction between water and pollutants such as sulfur oxide (SO2) and various nitrogen oxides (NOx). These substances are released into the atmosphere by car, as a result of the activities of metallurgical enterprises and power plants. Sulfur compounds (sulfides, native sulfur and others) are contained 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, nitrogen oxide (IV) NO 2. Reacting with atmospheric water (often under the influence solar radiation, so-called “photochemical reactions”), they are converted into solutions of acids - sulfuric, sulfurous, nitrous and nitric. Then, along 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, and republics former Yugoslavia and in many more countries globe. Acid rain has a negative impact on bodies of water - 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 stage. 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 rapidly develop. The first stage of eutrophication (swamping) of a reservoir. At pH6 acidity, freshwater shrimp die. The second stage - acidity rises to pH5.5, bottom bacteria die, which decompose organic matter and leaves, and organic debris begins to accumulate at the bottom. Then plankton, the tiny animal that forms the basis, dies the food chain reservoir and feeds on substances formed during decomposition by bacteria organic matter. The third stage - acidity reaches pH 4.5, all fish, most frogs and insects die. The first and second stages are reversible when the impact of acid rain on the reservoir ceases. As organic matter accumulates at the bottom of water bodies, toxic metals begin to leach out. Increased water acidity promotes 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, drinking water with high levels of lead or who eat fish with high levels of mercury can become seriously ill. Acid rain harms more than just aquatic life. It also destroys vegetation on land. Scientists believe that although today The mechanism is not yet fully understood, “a complex mixture of pollutants, including acid precipitation, ozone, and heavy metals, collectively lead to forest degradation. Economic losses from acid rain in the United States, according to one study, are estimated at east coast 13 million dollars and by the end of the century losses will reach 1.750 billion dollars from forest loss; $8.300 billion in crop losses (in the Ohio River Basin alone) and $40 million in medical expenses in Minnesota alone. 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
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
See what “Acid rain” is in other dictionaries:
- (acid rain) precipitation(including snow), acidified (pH below 5.6) due to the increased content of industrial emissions in the air, mainly SO2, NO2, HCl, etc. As a result of acid rain entering the surface layer of soil and... ... Big encyclopedic Dictionary
- (acid rain), characterized by increased content acids (mainly sulfuric); pH value pH<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 waters of Scandinavia due to the transfer of lawn emissions in the industrial cities of England). Ecological Dictionary. Alma Ata:... ... Ecological dictionary
acid rain- – rains with pH 5.6. General chemistry: textbook / A. V. Zholnin ... Chemical terms
- (acid rain), precipitation (including snow), acidified (pH below 5.6) due to the increased 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, resulting from the reaction of sulfur and nitrogen oxides emitted into the air by industrial enterprises and transport... ... Geographical encyclopedia
Acid rain- (acid rain), chemical pollution of water resources, flora and fauna caused by the emission of exhaust gases as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels. The acidity of rain, snow and fog increases due to the absorption of exhaust gases, mainly... ... Peoples and cultures
- (acid rain), atm. precipitation (including snow), acidified (pH below 5.6) due to increased industrial air content emissions, ch. arr. SO2, NO2, HCl, etc. As a result of the entry of acid into the surface layer of soil and water bodies, acidification develops, which... ... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary
Acid rain- are caused by the presence in the atmosphere of sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, which appear due to the oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen during the combustion of fossil fuels. Further oxidation occurs in clouds, reactions in which are catalyzed by ozone,... ... The beginnings of modern natural science
Publication date 05/22/2011 18:35
Acid rain is one of the terms that industrialization brought to humanity. The indefatigable consumption of the planet's resources, the huge scale of fuel combustion, and environmentally imperfect technologies are clear signs of the rapid development of industry, which is ultimately accompanied by chemical pollution of water, air and land. Acid rain is just one manifestation of such pollution.
First mentioned back in 1872, The concept became truly relevant only in the second half of the 20th century. Currently, acid rain is a problem for many countries around the world, including the United States and almost all European countries. The Acid Rain Map, developed by environmentalists around the world, clearly shows the areas at highest risk of hazardous precipitation.
Causes of acid rain
All rainwater has a certain level of acidity.. But in the normal case, this indicator corresponds to a neutral pH level - 5.6-5.7 or slightly higher. The slight acidity is due to the carbon dioxide content in the air, but is considered so low that it does not cause any harm to living organisms. Thus, the causes of acid rain are solely due to human activities and cannot be explained by natural causes.
Preconditions for increasing the acidity of atmospheric water arise when industrial enterprises emit large volumes of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. The most typical sources of such pollution are vehicle exhaust gases, metallurgical production and thermal power plants (CHP). Unfortunately, the current level of development of purification technologies does not allow filtering out nitrogen and sulfur compounds that arise as a result of the combustion of coal, peat, and other types of raw materials used in industry. As a result, such oxides enter the atmosphere, combine with water as a result of reactions under the influence of sunlight, and fall to the ground in the form of precipitation, which is called “acid rain.”
Consequences of acid rain
Scientists note that the consequences of acid rain are very multidimensional and dangerous for both people, animals and plants. Among the main ones, experts name the following effects:
- Acid rain significantly increases the acidity of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, as a result of which their natural flora and fauna are gradually dying out. As a result of changes in the ecosystem of water bodies, they become swamped, clogged, and have increased silt. In addition, as a result of such processes, water becomes unsuitable for human use. It increases the content of heavy metal salts and various toxic compounds, which under normal conditions are absorbed by the microflora of the reservoir.
- Acid rain leads to forest degradation and plant extinction. Coniferous trees are especially affected, since the slow renewal of foliage does not give them the opportunity to independently eliminate the effects of acid rain. Young forests are also very susceptible to such precipitation, the quality of which is rapidly declining. With constant exposure to water with high acidity, trees die.
- In the USA and Europe acid rain is one of the common causes of poor harvests, extinction of agricultural crops over vast areas. Moreover, the reason for such damage lies both in the direct effect that acid rain has on plants and in disturbances in soil mineralization.
- Acid rain causes irreparable damage to architectural monuments, buildings, and structures. The action of such precipitation causes accelerated corrosion of metals and failure of mechanisms.
- With the current acidity that acid rain has, in some cases it can cause direct harm to humans and animals. First of all, people in high-risk areas suffer from upper respiratory tract diseases. However, the day is not far off when the saturation of harmful substances in the atmosphere will reach a level at which sufficiently high concentrations of sulfuric and nitrate acid will fall out in the form of precipitation. In such a situation, the threat to human health will be significantly higher.
How to deal with acid rain?
It is almost impossible to deal with precipitation itself. Falling over vast areas, acid rain causes significant damage, and there is no constructive solution to this problem.
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