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Acid Precipitation

Explore the causes and effects of acid precipitation, a harmful phenomenon resulting from burning fossil fuels that damages plants, animals, aquatic ecosystems, and human health. Learn how pH levels impact living organisms and why international cooperation is essential to combat this global issue.

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Acid Precipitation

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  1. Chapter 12 - 3 Acid Precipitation

  2. What causes acid precipitation? • Acid precipitation – rain, sleet, and snow that contains high levels of acid • Burning fossil fuels • Releases gas that combine with water in atmosphere • Sulfuric acid • Nitric acid

  3. Acid Precipitation • Kills living things • Animals • Plants • pH – power of hydrogen • Measure of how acidic or basic something is

  4. pH • Higher pH – more basic • Lower pH – more acidic • Water = 7.0 • Normal precip = 5.6 • Acid precip < 5.0

  5. Plants • Acidification – a drop in the pH level of soil • Dissolves some nutrients and washed away • Causes toxic metals to release and absorb into roots

  6. Plants • Sulfur dioxide – clogs openings on plant surfaces • Dissolved from acids

  7. Aquatic Ecosystems • pH changes can kill fish • Aluminum leaches out of soil • Suffocates fish

  8. Aquatic Ecosystems • Acid shock - • Spring • Acids in snow melts rush into lakes and streams • Kills fish and amphibians • Defects with eggs and development

  9. Humans • Aluminum and mercury absorbed into crops • Respiratory system problems • Industry affected • Fisheries • Forestry

  10. Humans • Dissolves calcium carbonate • Concrete • Marble • Limestone • Destroys building and monuments

  11. Acropolis in Greece

  12. International Conflict andCooperation • Acid precipitation in an international problem • Pollution knows no boundary

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