When was the last time acid rain happened? The process of acid rain formation: why it is dangerous for people. Why does acid precipitation occur?

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Acid rain is a mixture of materials, both wet and dry, that fall to the earth from the atmosphere. They contain increased level nitric and sulfuric acids. In simple terms, this means that the rain becomes acidic due to the presence of pollutants in the air. The air changes its composition due to emissions from machinery and production processes. Main component acid rain– nitrogen. Acid rain also contains sulfur.

The combustion of fossil fuels and industry, which primarily emits nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), are causing irreversible changes in the atmosphere. Acidity is determined based on the pH level in the water droplets. Normal rainwater is slightly acidic with a pH range of 5.3-6.0. Carbon dioxide and water present in the air together react to form carbonic acid, which is a weak acid. When the pH level of rainwater falls below this range, the aforementioned precipitation forms.

When these gases react with water and oxygen molecules, sulfuric and nitric acids are formed, among other chemicals found in the atmosphere. They are also called chemical compounds of medium acidity. They usually lead to weathering of matter, corrosion of metal, and peeling of paint on the surface of buildings.

Volcanic eruptions also contain certain chemicals that can cause acid rain. In addition, the burning of fossil fuels, the operation of factories and vehicles as a result of human activities also lead to an increase in the acidity of formations in the atmosphere.

Currently, a large number of Acid precipitation occurs in Southeastern Canada, the Northeastern states of America and most European countries. Russia, Sweden, Norway and Germany suffer greatly from them, at least that’s what impartial statistics say. Besides, in Lately Acid precipitation is observed in South Asia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and South India.

Forms of precipitation

Acid precipitation comes in two forms

• wet
• dry

Each of them affects the earth's surface differently. And each of them consists of various chemical elements. It is believed that dry forms of precipitation are more harmful, since they spread over vast distances, often crossing not only the borders of cities, but also states.

Wet precipitation

When the weather is humid, acids fall to the ground in the form of rain, sleet, or fog. The climate adjusts, driven by the need to respond. Acids are removed from the atmosphere and deposited in earth's surface. When the acid reaches the ground, it has Negative influence for a large number of species of animals, plants and aquatic organisms. Water enters rivers and canals, which mix with sea ​​water, thereby influencing marine environment a habitat.

Dry precipitation

It is a mixture of acidic gases and particles. About half of the acidity in the atmosphere falls back to earth through dry deposition. If the wind blows in areas where the weather is dry, acidic pollutants turn into dust or smoke and fall to the ground as dry particles. These substances have a negative impact on cars, houses, trees and buildings. Almost 50% of acidic pollutants from the atmosphere are returned through dry precipitation. These acidic pollutants can be washed off the surface of the earth by rainfall. Then the acidity level water resources rises even more.

If wet precipitation sooner or later evaporates back into the atmosphere, then in forests dry precipitation clogs the pores of tree leaves.

Story

Acid rain and Interesting Facts they have been known for quite a long time. Acid rain was first mentioned back in the 1800s, during the Industrial Revolution. Scottish chemist Robert Angus Smith was the first to report this phenomenon in 1852. He devoted his life to researching the connection between acid rain and atmospheric pollution in Manchester, England. His work only came to public attention in the 1960s. The term was coined in 1972 when The New York Times published reports on the effects of climate change on forest growth.

Acid precipitation is a source of both natural and man-made disasters. But here the opposite effect occurs. It is these disasters that are most often the sources of acid rain. The main reason for this is the combustion of fossil fuels, which is accompanied by emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.

Natural springs

Natural sources of problematic precipitation:

1. The main natural cause of acid rain is volcanic emissions. Volcanoes emit acid-forming gases that create abnormal acidity. Against this backdrop, record amounts of precipitation fall. The earth suffers from phenomena such as fog and snow. Vegetation and the health of residents in the vicinity of volcanic formations suffer.
2. Rotting vegetation Forest fires And biological processes in the environment and generate acid rain, forming gases.
3. Dimethyl sulfide is typical example main biological sources of sulfur-containing elements in the atmosphere. It is its emissions that react with water molecules using electrical activity. Nitric acid becomes acid rain.

Technogenic sources

Human activities leading to the release of chemical gases such as sulfur and nitrogen are the main cause of acid rain. It is we, people, who are to blame for the fact that the atmosphere is destroying the planet. These activities are associated with sources of air pollution. It is the consequences of man-made activities that lead to emissions of sulfur and nitrogen from factories, energy facilities and cars. In particular, the use of coal for electricity generation is the largest source of gaseous emissions that lead to acid rain.

Cars and factories also release large amounts of gaseous emissions into the air. The worst thing is that this process is repeated daily, especially in industrialized areas of the city with big amount car movement. These gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen and other chemicals with the formation of various acidic compounds, for example, sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate and nitric acid. These experiments result in extremely high amounts of acid rain.

Existing winds carry these acidic mixtures over large areas across borders. They fall back to earth in the form of acid rain or other forms of precipitation. Having reached the ground, they spread over the surface, absorbing into the soil and ending up in lakes, rivers and finally mixing with sea water.

The gases sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are mainly derived from electricity through the combustion of coal and are the cause of acid rain.

Consequences of acid rain

Acid rain has a significant impact on environment and public health. Impact on aquatic environment very large. Acid rain either falls directly onto bodies of water or flows through forests, fields and roads into streams, rivers and lakes. Over a period of time, acids accumulate in the water and lower the pH level. aquatic plants and animals need a certain pH level. It needs to stay around 4.8 to survive. If the pH level drops below, conditions become hostile to the survival of aquatic organisms.

Acid rain tends to change the pH and concentration of aluminum. This greatly affects the pH concentration level in the surface layer of water, thereby affecting fish as well as other aquatic life forms. When the pH level is below 5, most eggs will not hatch.

Below levels can also kill adult fish. Sediment from watersheds that is discharged into rivers and lakes reduces biodiversity in rivers and lakes. The water becomes more acidic. Many species, including fish, plants and various insects in lakes, rivers and streams, have become sick and some have even been eliminated entirely due to excess acid rain entering water resources.

Politicians, scientists, environmentalists and researchers are ringing the bells in an attempt to educate people about the harm of acid rain. Unlike wet precipitation, dry precipitation is more difficult to measure. When acid deposits, harmful organisms from the surface of the earth are washed into lakes and streams, which can cause uncontrollable climate change.

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 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 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 are formed ( acid oxides, anhydrides) - 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 the decomposition of organic substances by bacteria. 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 bodies of water, 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 not only harms aquatic flora and fauna. 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

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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 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 a high content of acids (mainly sulfuric acid); 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 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

Acid rain is usually called any precipitation (rain, snow, hail) containing any amount of acid. The presence of acids leads to a decrease in pH levels. pH value

Acid rain is usually called any precipitation (rain, snow, hail) containing any amount of acid. The presence of acids leads to a decrease in pH levels. Hydrogen index (pH) is a value that reflects the concentration of hydrogen ions in solutions. The lower the pH level, the more hydrogen ions in the solution, the more acidic the environment.

For rainwater, the average pH value is 5.6. When the pH of precipitation is less than 5.6, it is referred to as acid rain. Compounds that lead to a decrease in the pH level of sediments are oxides of sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen chloride and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Causes of acid rain

Acid rain, by nature of its origin, is of two types: natural (arising as a result of the activities of nature itself) and anthropogenic (caused by human activity).

Natural acid rain

There are few natural causes of acid rain:

activity of microorganisms. A number of microorganisms, in the process of their life activity, cause the destruction of organic substances, which leads to the formation of gaseous sulfur compounds, which naturally enter the atmosphere. The amount of sulfur oxides formed in this way is estimated at about 30-40 million tons per year, which is approximately 1/3 of the total amount;

Volcanic activity supplies another 2 million tons of sulfur compounds into the atmosphere. Together with volcanic gases, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, various sulfates and elemental sulfur enter the troposphere;

decomposition of nitrogen-containing natural compounds. Since all protein compounds are based on nitrogen, many processes lead to the formation of nitrogen oxides. For example, the breakdown of urine. It doesn't sound very pleasant, but that's life;

lightning discharges produce about 8 million tons of nitrogen compounds per year;

burning of wood and other biomass.

Anthropogenic acid rain

Since we are talking about anthropogenic impact, it doesn’t take much intelligence to guess that we are talking about the destructive influence of humanity on the state of the planet. A person is used to living in comfort, providing himself with everything he needs, but he’s not used to “cleaning up” after himself. Either he hasn’t grown out of the sliders yet, or he hasn’t matured enough in his mind.

The main cause of acid rain is air pollution. If about thirty years ago industrial enterprises and thermal power plants were named as global reasons causing the appearance of compounds in the atmosphere that “oxidize” rain, today this list has been supplemented by road transport.

Thermal power plants and metallurgical enterprises “donate” about 255 million tons of sulfur and nitrogen oxides to nature.

Solid fuel rockets have also made and are making a significant contribution: the launch of one Shuttle complex results in the release of more than 200 tons of hydrogen chloride and about 90 tons of nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

Anthropogenic sources of sulfur oxides are enterprises producing sulfuric acid and refining oil.

Exhaust gases from motor vehicles account for 40% of nitrogen oxides entering the atmosphere.

The main source of VOCs in the atmosphere, of course, are chemical industries, oil storage facilities, gas stations and gas stations, as well as various solvents used both in industry and in everyday life.

The final result is as follows: human activity supplies the atmosphere with more than 60% of sulfur compounds, about 40-50% of nitrogen compounds and 100% of volatile organic compounds.

From a chemical point of view, there is nothing complicated or incomprehensible about the formation of acid rain. Oxides entering the atmosphere react with water molecules, forming acids. Sulfur oxides, when released into the air, form sulfuric acid, and nitrogen oxides form nitric acid. One should also take into account the fact that the atmosphere above large cities always contains particles of iron and manganese, which act as catalysts for reactions. Since there is a water cycle in nature, water in the form of precipitation sooner or later falls on the earth. Acid also gets in with the water.

Consequences of acid rain

The term "acid rain" first appeared in the second half of the 19th century and was coined by British chemists working on the pollution of Manchester. He noticed that significant changes in the composition of rainwater are caused by vapors and smoke entering the atmosphere as a result of the activities of enterprises. As a result of the research, it was discovered that acid rain causes discoloration of fabrics, metal corrosion, destruction of building materials and leads to the death of vegetation.

It took nearly a hundred years before scientists around the world sounded the alarm about the harmful effects of acid rain. This problem was first raised in 1972 at the UN conference on the environment.

Oxidation of water resources. Rivers and lakes are the most sensitive. Fish die. Despite the fact that some species of fish can withstand slight acidification of water, they also die due to the loss of food resources. In those lakes where the pH level was less than 5.1, not a single fish was caught. This is explained not only by the fact that adult fish die - at a pH of 5.0, most cannot hatch fry from the eggs, as a result of which there is a reduction in the numerical and species composition of fish populations.

Harmful effects on vegetation. Acid rain affects vegetation directly and indirectly. The direct impact occurs in high mountain areas, where tree crowns are literally immersed in acidic clouds. Excessively acidic water destroys leaves and weakens plants. Indirect impact occurs due to a decrease in the level of nutrients in the soil and, as a result, an increase in the proportion of toxic substances.

Destruction of human creations. Building facades, cultural and architectural monuments, pipelines, cars - everything is exposed to acid rain. Many studies have been conducted, and they all say one thing: acid rain exposure has increased significantly over the past three decades. As a result, not only marble sculptures and stained glass windows of ancient buildings are under threat, but also leather and paper products of historical value.

Human health. Acid rain itself does not have a direct impact on human health - if you get caught in such rain or swim in a reservoir with acidified water, you do not risk anything. Compounds that form in the atmosphere due to the entry of sulfur and nitrogen oxides into it pose a threat to health. The resulting sulfates are transported by air currents over considerable distances, are inhaled by many people, and, as studies show, provoke the development of bronchitis and asthma. Another point is that a person eats the gifts of nature; not all suppliers can guarantee the normal composition of food products.

Solution

Since this problem is global in nature, it can only be solved together. The real solution will be to reduce emissions from enterprises, both into the atmosphere and into water. There are only two solutions: stopping the activities of enterprises or installing expensive filters. There is a third solution, but it is only in the future - the creation of environmentally friendly industries.

The words that every person should be aware of the consequences of their actions have long been set on edge. But you can’t argue with the fact that the behavior of society is made up of the behavior of individual individuals. The difficulty is that people are accustomed to separating themselves from humanity in environmental matters: the air is polluted by enterprises, toxic waste gets into the water due to unscrupulous firms and companies. They are them, and I am me.

Household aspects and individual solutions to the problem

Strictly follow the rules for disposing of solvents and other substances containing toxic and harmful chemical compounds.

Give up cars. Maybe? - hardly.

Not everyone can influence the installation of filters or the introduction of alternative production methods, but observing environmental culture and raising the younger generation to be environmentally literate and cultural is not only possible, it should become the norm of behavior for every person.

No one is surprised by the many books and films devoted to the results of man’s technogenic impact on nature. The films depict the dead surface of the planet, the struggle for survival and various mutant life forms in a colorful and frighteningly realistic manner. Fairy tale, fiction? - a very real prospect. Think about it, not so long ago space flights seemed like fiction, engineer Garin’s hyperboloid (modern laser systems) seemed like science fiction.

When thinking about the future of planet Earth, it is worth thinking not about what awaits humanity, but about the kind of world in which children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will live. Only personal interest can motivate a person to take real steps.

Acid phrases have become commonplace in modern life, especially in urban life. Summer residents often complain that after such unpleasant precipitation, plants begin to wither, and a whitish or yellowish coating appears in puddles.

What it is

Science has a definite answer to the question of what acid rain is. These are all known whose water levels are below normal. The norm is considered to be pH 7. If the study shows an underestimation of this figure in precipitation, it is considered acidic. In conditions of an ever-growing industrial boom, the acidity of rain, snow, fog and hail is hundreds of times higher than normal.

Causes

Acid rain falls again and again. The reasons lie in toxic emissions from industrial facilities, car exhaust gases, and, to a much lesser extent, in the decay of natural elements. The atmosphere is filled with sulfur and nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride and other acid-forming compounds. The result is acid rain.

There are precipitations with alkaline content. They contain calcium or ammonia ions. The concept of “acid rain” also applies to them. This is explained by the fact that, when such precipitation enters a reservoir or soil, it affects the change in the water-alkaline balance.

What does acid precipitation cause?

The oxidation of the surrounding nature, of course, does not bring anything good. Acid rain is extremely harmful. The reasons for the death of vegetation after such precipitation lie in the fact that many useful elements are leached from the earth by acids, in addition, there is also contamination with hazardous metals: aluminum, lead and others. Contaminated sediments cause mutations and death of fish in water bodies, and improper development of vegetation in rivers and lakes. They also have a detrimental effect on the normal environment: they significantly contribute to the destruction of natural facing materials and cause accelerated corrosion of metal structures.

Having familiarized ourselves with the general characteristics of this atmospheric phenomenon, we can conclude that the problem of acid rain is one of the most pressing from an environmental point of view.

Scientific research

It is important to take a closer look at the scheme of chemical pollution of nature. Acid rain is the cause of many environmental disturbances. This characteristic of precipitation appeared in the second half of the 19th century, when the British chemist R. Smith identified the content of hazardous substances in vapor and smoke that greatly changed the chemical picture of precipitation. In addition, acid rain is a phenomenon that spreads over vast areas, regardless of the source of pollution. The scientist also noted the destruction that contaminated sediments entailed: plant diseases, loss of color in tissues, accelerated spread of rust, and others.

Experts are more precise in defining what acid rain is. After all, in reality it is snow, fog, clouds and hail. Dry precipitation with a lack of atmospheric moisture falls in the form of dust and gas.

on nature

Lakes are dying, the number of fish schools is decreasing, forests are disappearing - all these are terrible consequences of the acidification of nature. Soils in forests do not react as sharply to acidification as water bodies, but plants react very negatively to all changes in acidity. Like an aerosol, harmful precipitation envelops foliage and pine needles, saturates trunks, and penetrates the soil. Vegetation receives chemical burns, gradually weakening and losing the ability to survive. Soils lose fertility and saturate growing crops with toxic compounds.

Biological resources

When a study of lakes in Germany was carried out, it was found that in reservoirs where the water indicator deviated significantly from the norm, the fish disappeared. Only in some lakes were single specimens caught.

Historical heritage

Seemingly invulnerable human creations also suffer from acid precipitation. The ancient Acropolis, located in Greece, is famous throughout the world for the outlines of its mighty marble statues. Centuries do not spare natural materials: noble rock is destroyed by winds and rains, the formation of acid rain further intensifies this process. When restoring historical masterpieces, modern masters did not take measures to protect metal joints from rust. The result is that acid rain, oxidizing iron, causes large cracks in statues, marble cracks due to the pressure of rust.

Cultural monuments

The United Nations has initiated research into the effects of acid rain on cultural heritage sites. During them, the negative effects of rain on the most beautiful stained glass windows of Western European cities were proven. Thousands of colored glasses are at risk of falling into oblivion. Until the 20th century, they delighted people with their durability and uniqueness, but recent decades, marred by acid rain, threaten to destroy the magnificent stained glass paintings. Sulfur-rich dust destroys antique leather and paper items. Ancient products under the influence lose their ability to resist atmospheric phenomena, become fragile and may soon crumble into dust.

Ecological catastrophy

Acid rain is a serious problem for human survival. Unfortunately, the realities of modern life require an ever-increasing expansion of industrial production, which increases the volume of toxic substances. The planet's population is growing, the standard of living is rising, there are more and more cars, and energy consumption is going through the roof. At the same time, the thermal power plants of the Russian Federation alone pollute the environment every year with millions of tons of anhydride containing sulfur.

Acid rain and ozone holes

Ozone holes are just as common and a more serious concern. Explaining the essence of this phenomenon, it must be said that this is not a real rupture of the atmospheric shell, but a disturbance in the thickness of the ozone layer, which is located approximately 8-15 km from the Earth and extends into the stratosphere up to 50 km. The accumulation of ozone largely absorbs harmful solar ultraviolet radiation, protecting the planet from extreme radiation. That is why ozone holes and acid rain are threats to the normal life of the planet that require the closest attention.

Integrity of the ozone layer

The beginning of the twentieth century added chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to the list of human inventions. Their features were exceptional stability, lack of odor, non-flammability, and lack of toxic influence. CFCs gradually began to be introduced everywhere into the production of various cooling units (from cars to medical complexes), fire extinguishers, and household aerosols.

Only towards the end of the second half of the twentieth century, chemists Sherwood Roland and Mario Molina suggested that these miracle substances, otherwise called freons, had a strong effect on the ozone layer. At the same time, CFCs can “hover” in the air for decades. Gradually rising from the ground, they reach the stratosphere, where ultraviolet radiation destroys freon compounds, releasing chlorine atoms. As a result of this process, ozone is converted into oxygen much faster than under normal natural conditions.

The scary thing is that it only takes a few chlorine atoms to modify hundreds of thousands of ozone molecules. In addition, chlorofluorocarbons are considered greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming. To be fair, it is worth adding that nature itself also contributes to the destruction of the ozone layer. Thus, volcanic gases contain up to one hundred compounds, including carbons. Natural freons contribute to the active thinning of the ozone-containing layer above the poles of our planet.

What can you do?

Finding out what the dangers of acid rain are is no longer relevant. Now, measures to ensure the cleanliness of the surrounding air should be on the agenda in every state, at every industrial enterprise.

In Russia, giant factories such as RUSAL have begun to approach this issue very responsibly in recent years. They spare no expense in installing modern, reliable filters and treatment facilities that prevent oxides and heavy metals from entering the atmosphere.

Alternative methods of generating energy that do not entail dangerous consequences are increasingly being used. Wind and solar energy (for example, in everyday life and for cars) is no longer science fiction, but a successful practice that helps reduce the volume of harmful emissions.

Expansion of forest plantations, cleaning of rivers and lakes, proper recycling of waste - all these are effective methods in the fight against environmental pollution.

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, only the scientific community was concerned about the negative impact of this phenomenon. Now it is causing great concern not only in the scientific world, but also among the general public, as well as various government agencies.

Quick navigation through the article

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 report on chemical substances that can release 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. A significant role in the occurrence of oxides in the atmosphere is played by emissions from industrial enterprises and nuclear tests. Hydrometeors with acid are formed in large quantities in places where space rockets are launched.

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. 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. 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 fallout 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 low pH levels poses a risk 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 with chemical elements and dangerous substances. Acid rain and smog occur especially often over large cities in calm weather. In the 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. The situation in Kazakhstan is not the best. 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 negative impact on the health of 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.

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 has been said about how to combat acid rain, but the scale 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 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 to solve the problem;
• 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.