Introduction
Acid rain, as explained in the other tab, is an acidic precipitation that is caused by certain acidic reactions. The implications of acidic rain on society is aplenty and this tab aims to discuss a few of these implications
Explanation
1) Implications on human health
The sole fact that acid rain in its form appears in the same colour, texture as well as even taste as normal rain is a matter of concern. This is because the general population will not be able to differentiate normal rain and acid rain.
The gases of sulfur dioxide (SO2) form extremely fine particulate matter that is easily transported by natural forces such as wind. These fine particles exist in the air that we breathe and hence when we inhale these particles, will travel deep into our lungs and respiratory system. Thus causing respiratory problems such as bronchitis and exacerbate those with already breathing problems such as athma.
On the contrary to sulfur dioxide, emission of nitrogen oxide, however, on the other hand, will be better for the human populace. This is because there would be less nitrogen oxide present in the air around us that would be able to react with organic compounds, and in the process, producing ozone. Ozone, while on one hand protects us from harmful UV rays, at ground level is infact detrimental to our health. The presence of high amounts of ozone at ground level is linked to many other health issues that include asthma, cancer, amongst many others.
2) Implication of acid rain on the environment
There are many ways acid rain affects the environment. From the fishes in the sea, to the trees in the forests, to the nutrients in the soil below us.
Marine in life in general is affected greatly by acid rain. This is due to the fact that acid rain, by its name, is acidic and thus when acid rain falls, it makes the water in the lakes more acidic. Marine life are not able to survive in the acidic environment and in the long run, those species with less tolerance to acidic environment may be extinct. Another way in which acid rain affects the marine life is that it changes the buffering capacity of the water in the water bodies. Thus these water bodies will be less susceptible to changes in pH value when small amounts of acid or base are added to these bodies.
Acid rain reacts with the nutrients present in the soil such as magnesium, calcium and aluminium thus depriving trees and vegetation of these essential nutrients in the long run. These, in turn, reduces the trees’ resistance towards diseases and parasitic insects.
3) Implication of acid rain on materials
When acid rain falls, acidic particles will be deposited on the surfaces of objects all around us. As we all know, acids react with metals. As such, the acidic particles that fall onto metallic objects would react with the metal surfaces of these objects and in the long run, will corrode these surfaces. Those built of stone, too will be affected as they contain calcium carbonate, which upon contact with acid rain, reacts to form calcium sulfate. The aesthetic value, i.e appearance. of these structures would then be affected and deteriorated. Such examples include statues, buildings, bridges. To protect these things then would incur cost such that we have to coat these structures with acid-resistant coatings that would amount to a hefty sum if all the structures around us require to be coated.
References
http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/health.html
https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee102/node/1983
http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/materials.html
http://www.epa.gov/region1/eco/acidrain/enveffects.html
Sources for pictures
http://www.learner.org/courses/envsci/unit/text.php?unit=11&secNum=7
http://butane.chem.uiuc.edu/pshapley/GenChem1/L26/3.html
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/studentstake/water/schoolwater/alkalinity/alkalinity.htm