E2 - Acid Deposition

This term is also known as acid rain or wet acid deposition. In the atmosphere there are many gases present and salt that end up falling back to the Earth due to gravity, a process also entitles as dry acid deposition. Comparing acid rain and pure rain: pure rain contains carbon dioxide and it has a pH of 5.65. Acid rain has a pH  5.6, caused by the presence of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen in the atmosphere.

Environmental Effects:
- It has a devastating impact on vegetation, fish, buildings and humans! When acidicity of the soil increases, the nutrients (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) decrease. When the level of  Mg2+ decreases too much, the level of chlorophyl decreases as well, thus resulting in the reduction of ability of the plants to photosynthesize. Acidicity also causes the aluminium from the rocks to run into the soil. The combinationj of all of these factors cause deflorestation.
- It causes the erosion of stones, such as marble that contains calcium carbonate. The stones either suffer corrosion or it forms salt within its structure, causing the rock to crack.
- At last, its effect upon humans: when the level of acid rain increases, the chances of attaining a respisratory illness also increase. Although it hasn't been proved, the high levels of aluminium in water may be linked to Alzeimer's disease.

 

 A statue deformed due to acid rain

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