Name: Scott Wineberg
Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are gases released by the burning of fossil fuels.
These gases can react with water and oxygen to form acids. Normally, rainwater is
slightly acidic. But the additional acid that enters the air when fuels are burned
makes it even more acidic. Acid rain can have a harmful effect on fish and other
wildlife and upsets the delicate balance of a forest or aquatic ecosystem. The good
news is that it works the other way, too. Decreasing car and factory emissions can
reduce acid rain and help wildlife.
In this activity, you'll find out more about what acid rain is, where the problem is
most severe, and what YOU can do to help.
1. First, let's take a look at which parts of the country are having the biggest acid
rain problem. View a color-coded pH map of the United States. The darker orange
colors represent the lowest pH in rain. Which states have the worst acid rain
problem?
The Northeastern parts of the US.
2. Next, go to the EPA's What is Acid Rain? page. What is the difference between
wet deposition and dry deposition?
Wet deposition is when S02 and NOx mix with moisture in the air and create acid
rain. Dry deposition is when pollutants fall onto the soil.
3. How do the compounds that cause acid rain spread from their source?
Prevailing winds blow the pollutants many miles.
4. The two main gases that cause acid rain are Nitrogen Oxides and Sulfur Dioxide .
5. What percentage of each of the two gases you listed in Question 4 comes from
electric power generation that relies on the burning of fossil fuels like coal?
2/3 SO2 and ¼ NOx come from fossil fuels.
6. Describe what happens when the two gases react in the atmosphere with water.
They create various acidic compounds
7. The result of the the reaction you described in question 6 is a mild solution of
Nitric acid and Sulfuric acid.
8. Go to the Measuring Acid Rain page. After reading the first two paragraphs, go to
What is pH?. Scroll to chart of the pH of common household substances. Complete
this pH table:
Item
pH
Acid or Base?
Normal rain
Acid rain
Lemonade
Apple
Milk
Ammonia
9. Next, you'll learn more about the Effects of Acid Rain. Click the links below to
complete the Acid Rain Effects table:
Acid Rain Effect On:
Surface waters
Forests
Automotive coatings
Materials
Visibility
Human health
Description of Effect
10. You may be surprised to know that your actions can help the acid rain problem.
To find out more, go to Take Action as Individuals. List eight things you can do to
reduce acid rain:
1.
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