Transcript Acid Rain

Acid Rain

Acid Rain:
Precipitation that has a pH that is lower than 5.6
 Causes:
 Sulfur & nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere
 Oxides react with water to form acids (sulfuric,
nitric)

Acid Rain

Sources:
 Industrial: power
plants (Detroit),
smelters, petroleum
refineries (Buffalo &
Rochester),
automobiles
(population)
 Natural: volcanic
eruptions
 The northeastern jet
stream blows
towards central NY
Acid Rain

Effects:
 Fish populations affected
(need pH’s of 5.6 or
higher)

Decreased soil fertility
(crops wont grow as
easily) *farmers must
neutralize soil to 7 they
add manure (has
ammonia in it – a base)

Destroys cuticle on plants
leaves so more diseases
get in
Acid Rain
 Dissolves/erodes
the
stone on buildings and
statues
 Emissions cause
respiratory problems in
humans such as asthma,
coughs, eye, nose, and
throat irritations
Acid Rain
 Toxic
metals in the water are absorbed by
fruits, vegetables, and in the tissues of
animals which are then eaten by humans --has been linked to brain damage and kidney
problems
Onondaga Lake
Vegetables near
Onondaga Lake
Acid Rain


Why is the northeastern
US most affected?
Acid rain and snow are
often worse in areas near
heavy industries (Detroit
– car industries and
Buffalo/Rochester –
smelters and petroleum
refineries) The jet stream
blows from west to east
across the US. Therefore
we get the pollution from
Detroit, Rochester, and
Buffalo.
pH levels
EFFECTS
<6.0
*Basic forms of food die off. Examples.
Mayflies and stoneflies are important
food sources for fish. They can’t
survive at this pH level
<5.5
*fish cannot reproduce
*young have difficulty staying alive
*more deformed adult due to lack of
nutrients
*fish die of suffocation
<5.0
*Fish population die off
<4.0
*Very different life forms, if any, than
before