1. What is acid rain?

Question

2. Where does acid rain fall?
3. Can acid raincause damage to the environment?
4. How can we prevent acid rain?
Can you help me answer this question.?? Pretty please..

OK i understand.. But how does acid rain damaged the environment?

Answer 1

"Acid rain" is a broad term referring to a mixture of wet and dry deposition (deposited material) from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. The precursors, or chemical forerunners, of acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) resulting from fossil fuel combustion. In the United States, roughly 2/3 of all SO2 and 1/4 of all NOx come from electric power generation that relies on burning fossil fuels, like coal. Acid rain occurs when these gases react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form various acidic compounds. The result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released from power plants and other sources, prevailing winds blow these compounds across state and national borders, sometimes over hundreds of miles.
2. This link will bring you to the EPA map that shows where acid rain is found. http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/where/index.html
3. Effects of Acid Rain

Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to the damage of trees at high elevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest soils. In addition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage. Prior to falling to the earth, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases and their particulate matter derivatives—sulfates and nitrates—contribute to visibility degradation and harm public health. For more information go to this link:
http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/index.html
4. Reducing Acid Rain
What EPA Is Doing
Congress created the Acid Rain Program in Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The overall goal of the program is to achieve significant environmental and public health benefits through reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), the primary causes of acid rain. To achieve this goal at the lowest cost to the public, the program employs both traditional and innovative, market-based approaches for controlling air pollution. Specifically, the program seeks to limit, or “cap,” SO2 emissions from power plants at 8.95 million tons annually starting in 2010, authorizes those plants to trade SO2 allowances, and reduces NOx emission rates. In addition, the program encourages energy efficiency and pollution prevention.
There are several ways to reduce acid rain—more properly called acid deposition—ranging from societal changes to individual action. It is critical that acid deposition be reduced, not only in the United States and Canada, but also throughout the world to preserve the integrity of natural habitats, as well as to reduce damage to man-made structures.

EPA has taken steps to limit the amount of NOx and SO2 emitted into the atmosphere because they are the main contributors to acid deposition (for more information, see EPA’s Acid Rain Program).

Additionally, individuals and society as a whole can participate in various efforts to help reduce acid deposition.
Another EPA link for you to check out...
http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/reducing/index.html

Answer 2

Acid rain mostly comes from auto. emissions. There is a small amount of sulfa in the gasoline and when it burns it causes acid rain. There is also NO2 which does a lot of damage to trees that acid rain gets credit for,but NO2 is a fertilizer and it accelerates growth with plenty of rain. The NO2 happens near most major roads ,and is very damaging to trees. Acid lain in lakes is easy to counteract with baking soda will neutralize the acid and make it into a salt that is the way Mother nature does it.

Answer 3

acid rain is a type of rain that is contaminated by an acidic environment...such as an industrial areas which diffuses smokes with sulfur. Acid rain may cause damage to environment but by planting a tree and prevent cutting it this may neutralized the acid rain.

Answer 4

a light rain that falls through the smoke from factories, which can contain sulfur = H2SO4 forms= sulfuric acid - which does a number on auto paint jobs

near areas of manufacturing or electric power plants - although scrubbers have been installed - there is still some leakage

is acid good for plants - NO
cause damage -= errrr yeah!

go nuclear power - but there hasn't been a nuke licensed in over 30 years - guess it's not on the save the planet agenda

so it's a catch 22 - we know how to solve - but we can't

lotta help - huh? - I will go back to bed now

Answer 5

1. Acid rain is rain water which is acidic, i.e has a pH value less than 7.0 . Pure water (and rain water which is pure) will have a pH of 7.0. Acids will have pH of less than 7.0 and Alkalis will have pH of > 7.0

2.Acid rains fall near places where the air is contaminated with high levels of sulfur dioxide, Nitrous and Nitric Oxides etc. which dissolve in rain and form acids. These gases are liberated from factories, thermal power stations and big cities with a number of motor vehicles which burn petroleum products.

3. Yes, acid rain causes damage to structures by causing corrosion and if highly acidic can cause damage to people, pets, trees etc.

4. By reducing air pollution, esp. burning of coal and other fossil fuels.