Acid rain is a serious environmental problem that many regions face. This genetic term covers many areas including acid, fog, snow. Each corresponds to atmospheric percipatation of heavy acidity.
Acid rain was discovered by Angus Smith in Great Britian in the mid-1800's.
The term specifically refers to percipitation that is more acidic than normal rain (or unpolluted rain)
-the mild acitidy comes from atmospheric carbon forming carbonic acid.
ex. CO2 + H20 <---> H2CO3 (partially ionizes H+, lowering pH)
This video depicts acid rains effects on east coast cities (esp wash DC) to view the upclose effects on structures such as the capitol building.
http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/acid-rain-eating-washington-d-c/E72669A71943D0C51D8EE72669A71943D0C51D8E
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Awesome video, Jake! I'm definitely going to use that during our Acids&Bases Workshop for Expanding Your Horizons.
ReplyDeleteNot only does acid rain damage buildings and monuments, it also destroys plant and animal habitats. I was shocked when I read that it can take up to 100 years of dumping limestone to restore the pH level of a lake acidified by acid rain.