Acid Precipitation

ACID PRECIPITATION

by Antonio C. Antonio

October 7, 2014

Acid precipitation and acid rain are two terms that are related and loosely used.  This is because rain and precipitation are synonymous terms.  Acid rain is defined as another form of precipitation that is usually acidic and possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions that can have harmful effects on man, terrestrial plants, aquatic plants and animals, and infrastructure.

Acid precipitation may come in the form of rain, fog or moisture with an acidity level is above the normal.  Rain, which is considered normal precipitation, is also acidic… with a pH of 5.6 more or less.  The reason for this is that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves and integrates with water becomes weak acid called carbonic acid.

There are two pollutant gases (sulphur and nitrogen oxide) when combined with water vapour becomes sulphuric acid and nitric acid.  These carbonic acids accumulate in the clouds and fall back to the ground as rain in a process called wet disposition.  On the other hand, dry disposition is also possible when sulphur and nitrogen oxides from sulphate and nitrate particles accumulate in the atmosphere in the form of dust particles.

Acid rain is also an environmental concern.  Acid rain is the accumulation of acids in the atmosphere that come from two sources both (1) natural and (2) anthropogenic (meaning: man-made).  Examples of man-made sources are (a) motor vehicle emissions, (b) electric power plant emissions, and (c) industrial plant emissions.  Examples of natural sources are (a) forest fires and fires in general, (b) decaying materials, (c) volcanic eruptions.

The next time we decide to burn dried leaves or trash in our backyard, please remember that we are adding to an unhealthy element in the air, sky and atmosphere in the form of acid rain or acid precipitation.

Just my little thoughts…

REFERENCE:  “Principles of Ecology” by Leonardo M. Florece. Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon, Virginia O. Cuevas, Zenaida B. Sierra and Charito P. Medina (University of the Philippines Open University)

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