A Brief Introduction to Acid Rain

1
A Brief Introduction to Acid Rain

• -Acid Rain is the general term used to describe
  acidic deposition from rain, snow, fog, dew, or
  even dry deposition.
• -It should be called acid precipitation because
  of the variety of ways that it falls to the
  earth.
• -Distilled water, containing no carbon dioxide,
  has a PH level of 7
• -Any liquid under seven is considered acidic, and
  liquid above 7 is considered base.
• -Clean or non-acidic water has a PH level of
  5.6.
• -The main sources of Acid Rain are sulfur dioxide
  (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
• -In the US 2/3 of SO2 and ¼ of NOx are created by
  burning fossil fuels such as coal.
• -Coal is used in the generation of electricity.

2
Bad News for Meadville

• -The largest pockets of Acid Rain in the US are
  located in the Northeast.
• -Youll notice the dark read over most of
  Pennsylvania and New York. Erie, and Meadville
  are in there too. We live and go to school in
  the worst area for Acid Rain in the country.
• -This is because of the large city populations,
  and because these areas are industrial centers.
• -Also, the prevailing wind directions generally
  bring Midwestern storms into the Northeast, and
  right on to us. We can thank Cleveland for that.
• -Rocks and Dust in the Northeast are less likely
  to balance acidity as well.
•  

3
Look at Those Buckets

• -Acid Rain is measured in both wet and dry
  depositions with corresponding buckets.
• -The EPA supports two projects to measure Acid
  Rain.
• -The National Atmospheric Deposition Program
  measures wet deposition.
• -The Clean Air Status and Trends Network
  (CASTNET) measures Dry deposition.

4
Damage to Plants and Soil

• Most of the acid rain is neutralized by soil
  until it reaches buffering capacity.
• Buffering capacity depends on makeup of soil.
• As the rain falls H ions combine with ions in
  soil and release them into soil.
• Aluminum is most harmful to plants.

5
Damage to the Surface

• Acid rain damages the leaves on the trees.
• The leaves may turn yellow or brown altering the
  ability to perform photosynthesis.
• Once plants have been damaged by the rain there
  is an increased vulnerability to the elements.
• Crops not typically affected due to farming
  practices

6
Acid Rain Effects on Structures

• Sulphur Dioxide is main pollutant that causes
  corrosion.
• Corrosion depreciates objects value to society.
• Damages lead to increased maintenance costs.
• Dry deposition can leave structures dirty.
• Also has effect on cars (paint ware, rust)

7
What Materials Are Prone To Acid Rain Corrosion

• Limestone, Marble, and Sandstone are particularly
  vulnerable to corrosion.
• This is a problem because most ancient, and older
  structures are made of these materials
• Vulnerable metals include steel, nickel, zinc,
  and copper.
• Stainless steel, and aluminum are more resistant
  metals.

8
Well Known Structures Effected

• Statue of Liberty ( The statue used to be the
  color of a penny now its a green color)
• The Taj Mahal
• Cathedral of Learning In Pittsburgh ( Walls are
  black from acid rain)
• The Colosseum in Rome
• West Minster Abbey
• Medieval stained glass is also effected