Acid Rain
Home Acid Rain Air Pollution Deforestation Endangered Species Global Warming Hazardous Waste Ozone Depletion Population Growth Urban Sprawl Water Pollution

 

 

Pollutants produced by internal combustion engines, industry, and agriculture include sulfur dioxides and nitric oxides.  When these chemicals combine with water in the atmosphere they produce sulfuric acid and nitric acid.   This then falls to the earth as acid deposition in the form of rain, mist, snow, fog, or as   dry particles.  The ammonia emitted into the atmosphere from large animal operations has recently been identified as a cause of acid rain.

arain.gif (147163 bytes)
This acid deposition can weaken and kill trees as is suspected in North Carolina's mountains and can make lakes, streams, and rivers too acidic for many forms of aquatic life.  Nitric acid can also contribute to algae blooms which kill fish. Human health is adversely effected and outdoor structures, such as the ancient Mayan pyramids, are being "dissolved" by the acid.

EPA Acid Rain homepage - provides information on the Acid Rain Program which is a innovative program designed to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions

Acid Rain - a FAQ which covers what acid rain is and how it effects aquatic life, terrestrial life, and humans; also covers how weather systems effect the movement of acid rain in North America

Venusian Vignette - a scientific paper which describes the effects of acid rain on Venus

Automobile emissions are a major cause of acid rain.

 

These lists of resource links are a result of a collaboration between Eva Clement, student at the North Carolina School for Science and Math, and members of the North Carolina Sierra Club Medoc Group.
Please email us with your comments.
Last updated: May 12, 2001.