Acid Deposition

natural rainwater

carbon dioxide + water → carbonic acid

human contributions to rain

sulfur dioxide+water→sulfuric acid

nitrogen oxides + water → nitric acid

primary air pollutants

humans: combustion of fossil fuels

natural: volcanoes and hot springs form S02 and lightning forms NO2

acid disposition/rain

any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.

• Dry deposition = ash and dry particles

• Wet deposition = rain and snow

effects

• seeps into ground = dissolve nutrients and leach aluminum which stops plants from getting water

• weakens plants increasing susceptibility pests and harsh conditions

• Limestone and marble buildings and statues react and dissolve

indirect effects

toxic effect: increases solubility of metals such as aluminium which cause white froth to form in fish gills leading to suffocation

nutrient effect: leaching of plant nutrients (such as ions of Ca, K and Mg) out of topsoil = reduced availability for plant uptake (productivity and crop yield)

acid effect: Ecosystems can become dominated by acid tolerant species, reducing biodiversity

management - altering human activity

• reducing use, or using alternatives to fossil fuels (but fossil fuel dependence)

• lobbying for international agreements and national governments to reduce pollutant production

management -Regulating and reducing  the pollutants at point of emission

• use of catalytic converters in cars to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (but expensive)

• Use of gas desulphurization ’scrubbers’ that remove sulphur dioxide emissions. (expensive)

• Desulphurisaton of coal

management - clean up and restoration

• Liming acidified lakes to neutralize acid water but costly

• Recolonise plants in damaged areas (Only treat the symptoms and not the cause)