Acid Rain

by CHRISTY B. (Senior)

Acid rain is highly acidic precipitation that results from the burning of fossil fuels. When fossil fuels are burned, they release oxides of sulfur and nitrogen as by-products. When the oxides combine with water in the atmosphere, they form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which fall as precipitation.

Acid rain kills many living things such as animals and forests, and even destroys entire ecosystems.

To counteract the effects of acid rain, some states and countries are spraying tons of powered lime on acidic lakes during spring to help restore their natural pH. There have also been several acts by countries such as the Helenski Declaration and the Unites Nations Sofia Protocol to cut sulfur oxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions. It is clear that we need more agreements like these to help control the acid precipitation problem.

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