Does acid rain contain nitrogen dioxide?
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain.
How does nitrogen fertilizer cause acid rain?
Nitric acid rain is derived primarily from power plant, car and truck emissions as well as from gases released by fertilizer use. The gas rises into the air and is deposited dry or in rainfall where in the ground bacteria breaks it into nitrogen and nitric acid, which can kill fish and plants.
Does co2 contribute to acid rain?
Carbon dioxide (CO22) in the atmosphere makes all rain slightly acidic because carbon dioxide and water combine to form carbonic acid, commonly known as carbonated water. The pH of normal rainwater ranges from 5.5 to 5.6, while most acid rain has a pH value of 4.0 to 4.6.
What contributes the most to acid rain?
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released into the air by fossil-fuel power plants, vehicles and oil refineries are the biggest cause of acid rain today, according to the EPA. Two thirds of sulfur dioxide and one fourth of nitrogen oxide found in the atmosphere come from electric power generators.
How is the level of CO2 in the atmosphere related to the acidity of rainwater?
Although CO2 is present in a much higher concentration than NO and SO2, CO2 does not form acid to the same extent as the other two gases. Thus, a large increase in the concentration of NO and SO2 significantly affects the pH of rainwater, even though both gases are present at much lower concentration than CO2.
How can we avoid acid rain?
A great way to reduce acid rain is to produce energy without using fossil fuels. Instead, people can use renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. Renewable energy sources help reduce acid rain because they produce much less pollution.
How does acid rain affect humans and the environment?
Acid rain makes such waters more acidic, which results in more aluminum absorption from soil, which is carried into lakes and streams. The effects of acid rain, combined with other environmental stressors, leave trees and plants less healthy, more vulnerable to cold temperatures, insects, and disease.
How is nitrogen dioxide ( NO2 ) pollution related to acid rain?
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and other nitrogen oxides (NOx) damage the human respiratory system and contribute to acid rain. These air pollutants are regulated as part of EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
How does acid rain form in the atmosphere?
These acids may be dissolved in droplets of water and carried by winds for many miles. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
How does nitrogen dioxide get into the air?
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2) is one of a group of highly reactive gases known as oxides of nitrogen or nitrogen oxides (NO x ). Other nitrogen oxides include nitrous acid and nitric acid. NO 2 is used as the indicator for the larger group of nitrogen oxides. NO 2 primarily gets in the air from the burning of fuel.
How does sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen react?
The acid rain also corrodes limestone buildings and marble statues since these are both made of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Some metals such as iron are also attacked by acid rain. Sulfur dioxide released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels can react with water and oxygen to make sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄):