Atmospheric
Pollution
By Group 2-
Brendan, Charan ,Dhruv, Dia, Diya,
Eva, George, Jess and Joseph
Acid Rain
Acid rain is a form of precipitation that contains high levels of sulfuric and
nitric acids. It forms when sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ),
emitted from industrial processes, vehicle exhaust, and power plants, react
with water vapor, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere. The
resulting acidic precipitation can take the form of rain, snow, sleet, or fog.
• Acid rain poses serious environmental threats, harming aquatic ecosystems,
forests, and soil by altering their natural pH balance. It also accelerates the
corrosion of buildings, monuments, and infrastructure, especially those made of
limestone and marble. Addressing acid rain involves reducing emissions of SO₂
and NOₓ through cleaner energy sources, improved regulations, and advanced
technologies.
Formation of Nitric Acid
• Acid rain occurs when harmful gases like nitrogen oxides
are released into the atmosphere from sources like
vehicle exhaust, factories, and power plants. These
gases dissolve in water droplets in the air to form dilute
acids.
Formation Of Nitric Acid
• Step 1: Formation of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂):
Nitrogen gas (N₂) reacts with oxygen (O₂) at high temperatures (like
in car engines or power plants) to form nitrogen monoxide (NO).
N₂+ O₂ → NO₂
• Nitrogen monoxide reacts with oxygen in the air to form nitrogen
dioxide (NO₂).
2NO+ O₂ →2NO₂
Formation Of Nitric Acid
• Step 2: Formation of nitric acid:
Nitrogen dioxide reacts with water and oxygen in the air
to form nitric acid (HNO₃).
4NO₂+2H₂O+O₂ →4HNO₃
Catalytic Converter in
Internal Combustion Engines
• A catalytic converter in an internal combustion
engine reduces harmful emissions by converting
pollutants like carbon monoxide (COCO), nitrogen
oxides, and unburned hydrocarbons (HCHC) into
less harmful substances such as nitrogen, carbon
dioxide, and water. Using catalysts like platinum,
palladium, and rhodium, it helps improve air
quality, reduce smog, and minimize acid rain
formation.
Impact of Acid Rain – Soil Chemistry
Acid rain significantly impacts soil chemistry by altering its
composition and nutrient availability:
Nutrient Depletion: Acid rain leaches essential nutrients like
Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Potassium (K) from the
soil, reducing fertility.
Increased Acidity: Soil pH decreases, making it more acidic
and less hospitable for many plants and microorganisms.
Microbial Disruption: Acid rain alters microbial
communities, affecting processes like nitrogen fixation and
decomposition.
Impact of Acid Acid rain significantly impacts water
Rain – bodies by altering
Water Bodies their chemical composition:
• Lowering pH: Acid rain decreases the
pH of lakes, rivers, and streams, making
the water more acidic and uninhabitable
for many aquatic species.
• Leaching Toxic Metals: It releases metals
like Aluminum from soil into water, which
is toxic to fish and plants.
General Impact of Acid Rain
Acid rain damages plants by leaching nutrients from soil and harming
leaves, reducing growth. For humans, it exacerbates respiratory issues and
contaminates drinking water. It also corrodes buildings, statues, and
infrastructure, especially those made of limestone or marble, causing
significant material damage and increasing maintenance costs.
Environmental ecosystems are disrupted overall.
Controlling Acid Rain
Controlling acid rain involves reducing the emissions of Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides, the main precursors:
• Use of Clean Energy: Shift to renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydropower to
reduce fossil fuel use.
• Regulations and Policies: Enforce laws like the Clean Air Act to set emission
standards and encourage cleaner technologies.
• Public Awareness: Educate individuals on reducing energy consumption and
supporting eco-friendly practices.
Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases (GHG’s) are
atmospheric gases that trap heat from
the sun, preventing it from escaping into
space. Examples include carbon dioxide,
methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and
ozone. They are crucial for maintaining
Earth's temperature but contribute to
global warming when in excess.
Greenhouse
Effect
The greenhouse effect is the
natural
process where greenhouse gases
absorb and re-emit heat radiation,
keeping Earth warm enough to
support life. While essential for
survival, increased GHG
concentrations intensify this effect,
leading to excessive warming.
Global
Warming
Global warming refers to the long-
term increase in Earth's average
surface temperature due to elevated
greenhouse gas levels, primarily
from human activities like burning
fossil fuels, deforestation, and
industrial processes. It causes
climate change, rising sea levels,
and extreme weather events.
Cause of Greenhouse Effect & Global
Warming
Greenhouse Effect with Normal Levels of GHGs Greenhouse Effect with Excessive GHGs
1. Sunlight Entry: Solar radiation enters Earth's 1. Sunlight Entry: Solar radiation enters Earth's
atmosphere and reaches the surface. atmosphere as usual.
2. Absorption and Re-radiation: Earth absorbs this 2. Increased Heat Trapping: Higher concentrations of
energy and re-emits it as infrared radiation. GHGs absorb more infrared radiation, re-emitting more
heat back to Earth.
3. Moderate Heat Trapping: Greenhouse gases (GHGs)
absorb some of this infrared radiation and re-emit it in 3. Reduced Heat Escape: Excessive GHGs create a
all directions, keeping Earth's temperature stable and "thicker blanket," trapping more heat and preventing it
suitable for life. from escaping into space.
4. Heat Escape: Excess heat escapes into space, 4. Result: This leads to higher global temperatures, causing
preventing overheating. global warming and disrupting climate systems.
Summary
Acid rain, caused by pollutants like Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen oxides
from burning fossil fuels, etc. It harms plants, aquatic life, and buildings.
It also acidifies water bodies and damages buildings and monuments.
The greenhouse effect, caused by human activities like burning fossil
fuels and deforestation, leads to global warming, melting ice caps, rising
sea levels, extreme weather events, ecosystem disruption, and loss of
biodiversity.
