ACID RAIN AND IT'S EFFECT

ACID RAIN and its effect

Acid rain is referred to all precipitation example rain, snow and dew which is more acidic than natural water.

PH of Acid Rain:

The PH of Acid rain is 5.6, as compared to natural rain water with PH 7. 

The Acid rain is slightly acidic due to presence of dissolved CO2.

The acidic nature of rain water is due to the presence of CO2 in atmosphere which reacts with rain and forms carbonic acid.

Therefore, any precipitation, which has PH less than 5.6 would be considered as acid rain.

Effects of Acid rain:

Acid rain can effect human beings, plants, aquatic life and also building material.

1. Effect on human beings:

Acid rain may causes, skin problems, gastric disorder, lung inflammation etc.

2. Effects on plants:

Acid rain also effects the process of photosynthesis. Important microbes like nitrogen fixing bacteria are directly killed by acid rain and indirectly effect plant growth.

3. Effect on aquatic life:

High acidity results in the killing of fish, reduce their growth and reproductive failure.

4. Effect on Building materials:

Acid rain also cause corrosion of zinc, steel and materials like marble, limestone may also be damage by acid rain.

5. Heavy metals:

Heavy metals e.g C4, Hg and Pb are dissolved by acid rain producing various toxic effect.