Substances that form acid rain. Acid rain

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Their causes and consequences - current 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 of 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 even 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 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, sulfurous acid is obtained, which, oxidizing when 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 manifest itself in any way 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 the 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. During the combustion of various types of fuel used to generate heat, there are constant emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Acid rain is associated with active mining, processing and use of minerals such as coal, ore, gas and others. They have been used by humanity for quite a long time, and few people think about the dangers of fuel combustion, which releases large amounts of 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, the activities of various industrial and processing enterprises involved in metal processing, production of metal parts, and mechanical engineering should be highlighted. 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 negative consequences acid rain, what harm does it cause? This is real environmental 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 life of various aquatic inhabitants, 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 takes place. Thus, such precipitation can cause severe 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 fauna. 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 the 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 drops on exposed 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, 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.

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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 chemicals 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, the greatest danger is the phenomenon associated with air pollution toxic waste 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. Almost 300 million years ago, the formation of acid rain led to the extinction of 90 percent biological 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 have 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 a dangerous substance. Acid rain and smog are especially common major cities fall out 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. 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 impact 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.

To solve the problem of acid rain, it is necessary to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere. This can be achieved by several methods, including by reducing the energy received by humans from burning fossil fuels and increasing the number of power plants using alternative energy sources (energy sunlight, wind, tidal energy). Other opportunities to reduce emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere are:

1. Reduction of sulfur content in various types fuel. The most acceptable solution would be to use only those fuels that contain minimal amounts of sulfur compounds. However, there are very few such types of fuel. Only 20% of the world's oil reserves have a sulfur content of less than 0.5%. And in the future, unfortunately, the sulfur content in the fuel used will increase, since oil with low sulfur content is produced at an accelerated pace. The same is true with fossil coals. Removing sulfur from fuels has proven to be a very expensive process in financially Moreover, it is possible to remove no more than 50% of sulfur compounds from the fuel composition, which is an insufficient amount.
2. Application of tall pipes. This method does not reduce the impact on the environment, but increases the efficiency of mixing pollutants in higher layers of the atmosphere, which leads to acid precipitation in more distant areas from the source of pollution. This method reduces the impact of pollution on local ecosystems, but increases the risk of acid rain in more remote regions.
3. Technological changes. The amount of nitrogen oxides NO that is formed during combustion depends on the combustion temperature. In the course of the experiments, it was possible to establish that the lower the combustion temperature, the less nitrogen oxide is produced, moreover, the amount of NO depends on the time the fuel is in the combustion zone with excess air.

Reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions can be obtained by cleaning the end gases from sulfur. The most common method is the wet process, where the resulting gases are bubbled through a limestone solution, resulting in the formation of sulfite and calcium sulfate. In this way it is possible to remove from the final gases greatest number sulfur.

4. Liming. To reduce acidification of lakes and soils, alkaline substances (CaCO 3) are added to them. This operation very often used in Scandinavian countries, where lime is sprayed from helicopters onto the soil or onto the catchment area. The Scandinavian countries suffer the most in terms of acid rain, since most Scandinavian lakes have granite or limestone-poor beds. Such lakes have a much lower ability to neutralize acids than lakes located in areas rich in limestone. But along with the advantages, liming also has its own number of disadvantages:

In flowing and rapidly mixing lake water, neutralization does not occur effectively;

Happening gross violation chemical and biological balance of water and soil;

It is not possible to eliminate all the harmful effects of acidification;

Liming cannot remove heavy metals. During a decrease in acidity, these metals turn into poorly soluble compounds and precipitate, but when a new portion of acid is added, they dissolve again, thus representing a constant potential danger to lakes.

It should be noted that a method has not yet been developed that, when burning fossil fuels, will reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen to a minimum, and in some cases completely prevent it.

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 is it

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.

Reasons

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?

No good oxidation surrounding nature, of course, does not entail. 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 pollution 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 become familiar with general characteristic Given 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 discovered the content of vapor and smoke hazardous substances, which greatly change 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.

to 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 envelop foliage and needles, saturate trunks, and penetrate 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. The centuries are not kind 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 impact of acid precipitation on objects cultural heritage. During them, the negative effects of rain on the most beautiful stained glass windows of cities were proven Western Europe. Thousands of colored glasses are at risk of falling into oblivion. Until the twentieth century, they delighted people with their durability and uniqueness, but last 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 disaster

Acid rain is serious problem for the survival of humanity. Unfortunately, the reality modern life require more and more expansion industrial production, which increases volumes Poisonous Number The planet's population is increasing, the standard of living is rising, there are more and more cars, energy consumption is going through the roof. At the same time, only thermal power plants Russian Federation Every year they pollute the environment 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. This is why ozone holes and acid rain are threats normal life planets 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 widely introduced 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, have a strong effect on 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 to be gases that create greenhouse effect and those involved in the process 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 on the agenda in every state, in every industrial enterprise Measures to ensure the cleanliness of the surrounding air should come first.

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

They are increasingly being used alternative ways obtaining energy that does not entail dangerous consequences. 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 this effective methods in the fight against environmental pollution.

Normal pH (pH) atmospheric precipitation, falling out in solid or liquid state, is 5.6–5.7. Being a slightly acidic solution, such water does not harm the environment.

Another thing is precipitation with high acidity. Their education indicates high level pollution of the atmosphere and water with a number of oxides. They are considered anomalous.

The concept of “acid rain” was first introduced by Scottish chemist Robert Angus Smith in 1872. Nowadays, this term is commonly used to refer to any acidic precipitation, be it fog, snow or hail.

Causes of acid rain formation

In addition to water, normal precipitation contains carbonic acid. It is the result of the interaction of H2O with carbon dioxide. Common components of acid precipitation are weak solutions of nitric and sulfuric acid. A change in composition towards a decrease in pH occurs due to the interaction of atmospheric moisture with oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. Less commonly, oxidation of sediments occurs under the influence of hydrogen fluoride or chlorine. In the first case, the rainwater contains hydrofluoric acid, in the second - hydrochloric acid.

A natural source of sulfur compounds are volcanoes during periods of activity. During an eruption, mainly sulfur oxide is released, with smaller quantities of hydrogen sulfide and sulfates.
Sulfur- and nitrogen-containing substances enter the atmosphere during the rotting of plant debris and animal corpses.
Natural nitrogen compounds are caused by lightning and thunderstorms. They account for 8 million tons of acid-forming emissions per year.

Naturally occurring acid rain is a constant occurrence on Venus, as the planet is shrouded in clouds of sulfuric acid. Traces of a toxic fog corroding rocks near Gusev Crater have been discovered on Mars. Natural acid rain radically changed the appearance and prehistoric earth. Thus, 252 million years ago they caused the extinction of 95% of the planet’s biological species. In the modern world, the main culprit is man, not nature.

Basic anthropogenic factors that cause the formation of acid rain:

emissions from metallurgy, mechanical engineering and energy enterprises;
methane emissions when growing rice;
vehicle exhausts;
use of sprays containing hydrogen chloride;
combustion of organic fuel (fuel oil, coal, gas, firewood);
coal, gas and oil production;
soil fertilization with nitrogen-containing preparations;
Freon leakage from air conditioners and refrigerators.

How is acid precipitation formed?

In 65 cases out of 100, acid rain contains aerosols of sulfuric and sulfurous acids. What is the mechanism of formation of such precipitation? Along with industrial emissions, sulfur dioxide enters the air. There, during photochemical oxidation, it is partially transformed into sulfuric anhydride, which, in turn, reacts with water vapor and turns into small particles of sulfuric acid. From the remaining (most) part of the sulfur dioxide, sulfurous acid is formed. Gradually oxidizing from moisture, it becomes sulfuric.

In 30% of cases, acid rain is nitrogen. Precipitation, which is dominated by aerosols of nitrous and nitric acid, is formed according to the same principle as sulfur. Nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere react with rainwater. The resulting acids irrigate the soil, where they break down into nitrates and nitrites.

Hydrochloric acid rain is rare. For example, in the USA their share is from total number abnormal precipitation is 5%. The source for the formation of such rain is chlorine. It gets into the air when burning waste or with emissions from chemical plants. In the atmosphere it interacts with methane. The resulting hydrogen chloride reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid. Acid rain containing hydrofluoric acid is formed when hydrogen fluoride, a substance released by glass and aluminum industries, is dissolved in water.

Impact on people and ecosystems

Acid rain was first recorded by scientists in the middle of the last century in North America and Scandinavia. At the end of the 70s in the town of Wheeling (USA) during three days it drizzled with moisture that tasted like lemon juice. pH measurements showed that the acidity of local precipitation exceeds the norm by 5 thousand times.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the most acidic rain fell in 1982 on the US-Canadian border - in the Great Lakes region. The rainfall pH was 2.83. Acid rain has become a real disaster for China. 80% of liquid precipitation falling in the Middle Kingdom has a low pH level. In 2006, the country experienced record acid rain.

Why is this phenomenon dangerous for ecosystems? Acid rain primarily affects lakes and rivers. For the flora and fauna of reservoirs, a neutral environment is ideal. Neither alkaline nor acidic water promotes biodiversity. Residents of the lake regions of Scotland, Canada, the USA, and Scandinavia are well aware of how dangerous acid precipitation is for life in water bodies. The consequences of the rains there were:

loss of fisheries resources;
reduction in the population of birds and animals living nearby;
water intoxication;
leaching of heavy metals.

Soil acidification by precipitation leads to the leaching of nutrients and the release of toxic metal ions. As a result, it is destroyed root system plants, and poisons accumulate in the cambium. Acid rain, damaging conifer needles and leaf surfaces, disrupts the process of photosynthesis. It weakens and slows down the growth of plants, causes them to dry out and die, and provokes diseases in animals. Humid air with particles of sulfur and sulfates is dangerous for people suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It can cause exacerbation of asthma, pulmonary edema, and increases mortality from bronchitis.

Sour rainwater destroys tuff, marble, chalk and limestone. It leaches both carbonates and silicates from glass and mineral building materials. Precipitation destroys metal even faster: iron becomes covered with rust, and a patina forms on the surface of bronze. A project to protect ancient buildings and sculptures from acid rain operates in Athens, Venice, and Rome. The “Big Buddha” in Leshan, China is on the verge of extinction.

For the first time acid rain as negative environmental factor, became the subject of discussion in the world community in 1972. The Stockholm conference, attended by representatives of 20 states, launched the process of developing a global environmental project. The next important step in the fight against acid precipitation was the signing of the Kyoto Protocol (1997), which recommended limiting emissions into the atmosphere.

Nowadays, most countries in the world have national environmental projects, involving the development of a legal framework for environmental protection, the introduction of treatment facilities at enterprises (installation of air, vacuum, electrical filters). To normalize the acidity of reservoirs, the liming method is used.