{"id":26951,"date":"2018-10-19T09:05:59","date_gmt":"2018-10-19T09:05:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ingenio.lanthemes.com\/en\/?p=26951"},"modified":"2021-02-10T14:32:46","modified_gmt":"2021-02-10T14:32:46","slug":"what-is-acid-rain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingeoexpert.com\/en\/2018\/10\/19\/what-is-acid-rain\/","title":{"rendered":"What is acid rain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone has heard about acid rain but few know exactly what it is and what causes it.\u00a0Acid rain is any type of precipitation with elevated levels of sulfuric acid and nitric acid<\/b>. It is not only the liquid rain we are familiar with; it is also present in snow, fog, hail, dew, mist and suspended droplets that end up on the ground.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/p>\n

What causes acid rain?<\/h2>\n

It is a natural phenomenon caused by chemicals emitted during volcanic eruptions, the decomposition of plants, and other causes. However,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the majority of acid rain today is caused by human activity<\/b><\/span><\/span>, such as burning fossil fuels (petroleum and coal) that come from factories, vehicles, power plants, and boilers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Burning fossil fuels generates nitrogen oxide and dioxide and sulphur trioxide that are released into the atmosphere. These react in the atmosphere with suspended droplets and other substances and generate acid rain, which can spread across hundreds of miles.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Related: Environmental science<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Effects of acid rain<\/h2>\n

\"Lluvia<\/a><\/p>\n

Although collective imaginary makes us think of rain that corrodes the skin, the effect of acid rain is less spectacular, but that does not mean it is less harmful. Firstly,\u00a0acid rain has a fatal effect on bodies of water<\/b>\u00a0such as lakes, rivers and oceans, as it changes their acidity level and destroys algae and plankton, and increases fish mortality<\/b>. Forests are another of its victims, as it wipes out nitrogen-fixing micro-organisms and directly destroys leaves and branches on contact.
\nAcid rain not only affects organic elements, buildings and infrastructures also suffer. The acidity dissolves the calcium carbonate and damages marble and limestone, eroding monuments and statues. It is also a scourge on farming areas, as it deionises the soil, decreasing the quality and causing stress to plants. This makes them vulnerable to infestation. In addition,\u00a0it changes and deteriorates the natural conditions of aquatic eco-systems, affecting the food chain and a significant number of species.<\/p>\n

Acid rain around the world<\/h3>\n

The countries with the highest levels of acid rain are Asian and European countries, particularly Scandinavia and Germany. However, the most affected country is\u00a0China<\/b>, as its main power source comes from burning coal, which produces toxic gases.
\nIn\u00a0Spain<\/b>\u00a0acid rain occurs mainly in Galicia and the Basque Country, but it is also present in some areas of Catalonia and Murcia.<\/p>\n

Solutions to acid rain<\/h2>\n

We cannot control volcanic eruptions but we can fight to significantly reduce air pollutants. Humans are the main cause of acid rain and of its consequences, so, if we want to prevent them, we must change our consumption habits and use of natural resources.<\/p>\n

The proposed solutions for reducing this phenomenon include:<\/p>\n