Acid rain

Acid rain

Rain water is actually the purest form of water. However, pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen (N₂O, NO₂) and sulphur (SO₂, SO₃) in the air released by factories, burning fossil fuels, eruption of volcanoes etc. , dissolve in rain water and form nitric acid and sulphuric acid which adds up to the acidity of rain water. Hence, it results in acid rain.

Acid rain has pH less than 5. 6 whereas pH of pure rain water is around 5. 6 due to dissolution of atmospheric CO₂ in it.

Effects of Acid rain

Acid rain affects us in many ways. Some of the consequences are given below.

* It irritates eyes and skin of human beings.

* It inhibits germination and growth of seedlings.

* It changes the fertility of the soil, destroys plants and aquatic life.

* It causes corrosion of many buildings, bridges etc.

Preventive measures

Acid rain and its effects can be controlled by the following ways.

* Minimizing the usage of fossil fuel such as petrol, diesel etc. ,

* Using CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).

* Using non-conventional source of energy.

* Proper disposal of the industrial wastes.