Acid Rain

50 flashcards covering key concepts, definitions, and effects of acid rain as presented in the lecture notes.

What is the definition of acid rain?

Rainwater that has a pH level lower than 5.6, often caused by pollutants.

What causes acid rain?

Contributions from sulfuric and nitric acid from vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and power generation.

How does acid rain affect soil?

It mobilizes toxic elements like aluminum and depletes essential nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

What is the normal pH level of rainwater?

The pH level of normal rainwater is 5.6.

What is the pH range of rainwater around industrial areas?

It can drop to a pH of 3.5 to 4.5 or lower.

What are the effects of acid rain on forests?

While it does not directly kill trees, it causes stress that can lead to death from drought and insects.

What historical event first introduced the term 'acid rain'?

The term was coined by Robert Angus Smith in 1872 in Manchester, England.

How does aluminum impact trees during acid rain events?

It impairs root function, affecting calcium uptake and leading to sapwood growth decline.

What regions are affected by acid rain in the USA?

The Industrial Midwest pollutes eastern Canada and other northeastern areas.

What is episodic acidification?

A short period when streams and lakes experience increased acidity due to melting snow containing acidic pollutants.

What is the main chemical reaction of acid rain with buildings?

It reacts with materials, such as limestone and certain metals, degrading them.

How does acid rain affect aquatic life?

It can lead to increased aluminum levels, which harms fish and other aquatic organisms.

What role does soil buffering play with acid rain?

Buffering can absorb excess acidity, but when overwhelmed, it fails to protect aquatic ecosystems.

What historical changes have occurred in sulfur dioxide emissions in the US?

Significant reductions were made from 1990 to 2010 due to various environmental regulations.

What are some ways to mitigate acid rain?

Use energy-saving appliances, carpooling, insulating homes, and reducing utility usage.

From what natural event does sulfuric acid and nitric oxide also occur?

Natural emissions from volcanoes.

What are some impacts of acid rain on buildings?

It can corrode metals, ruin inscriptions on tombstones, and degrade statues.

How can acid rain affect fish populations?

It can lead to fish mortality and a decline in species diversity due to episodic acidification.

What was the aim of the EPA's Acid Rain Program?

To cap sulfur dioxide emissions at 8.95 million tons, reducing overall emissions from 1980 levels.

Why is aluminum particularly harmful to aquatic life?

It can interfere with growth and reproductive development in fish and other aquatic organisms.

What conditions enhance acid rain in forests?

High elevation areas with more fog and mist, leading to pollutants washing into the soil.

What happens to calcium carbonate structures in the presence of acid rain?

They dissolve, leading to structural damage and loss of details.

How has acid rain impacted historic sites globally?

It has damaged cultural heritage sites, like the Leshan Buddha in Southern China.

What is the significance of the 'Episodic Acidification' study by Baker et al. in 1996?

It documented the effects of episodic acidification on fish populations in northeastern US streams.

What role does the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program play?

It sponsors research to understand and control acid rain and its impacts.

How is acidic snow-melt associated with fish mortality?

High acidity during melting can overwhelm the buffering capacity of water bodies, leading to fish deaths.

What is a characteristic feature of podzolic soil?

Found in coniferous forests, it's marked by moderate leaching and sandy soil.

Why are pollutant tolerant trees favored in acid rain-affected areas?

They are better adapted to survive the stresses caused by pollution.

What does the term 'anthropogenic' refer to in the context of acid rain?

Human activities that contribute to increased levels of pollutants in the atmosphere.

How does acid rain affect the chemical composition of normal rainwater?

Normal rain is weakly acidic due to carbon dioxide; acid rain is significantly more acidic due to pollutants.

What is the importance of reducing nitrogen oxides emissions to combat acid rain?

They're a precursor to nitric acid formation, contributing to acid rain.

How does dry deposition relate to acid rain?

It refers to the settling of acid particles and gases from the atmosphere to surfaces.

Why is it crucial to understand the chemistry of acid rain?

To develop strategies to combat its harmful ecological and structural effects.

What is one effect of high aluminum levels on frogs and salamanders?

Their larvae are particularly sensitive to acidic conditions.

What can be concluded from the improvement in sulfur dioxide levels globally?

Progress is being made in reducing emissions and improving environmental health.

How does acid rain influence phytoplankton growth in water bodies?

Increased light availability from clearer waters can enhance phytoplankton growth despite other negative effects.

What was an environmental response to acid rain in the USA?

The implementation of environmental regulations such as the Acid Rain Program.

How does the pH of acid rain compare to natural rain?

Acid rain can have a pH as low as 3.5, while natural rain has a pH of 5.6.

What constitutes a major source of acid rain pollutants?

Fossil fuel combustion emitting sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Where does aluminum originate from in the context of acid rain?

Released from soil through the mobilization process caused by acid rain.