Drop-in #2:

Acid Rain

Introduction –

The picture above shows the annual precipitation-weighted mean hydrogen ion concentrations as pH. You already know that a pH of 7 is a neutral pH. A pH less than 7 is an acid and a pH greater than 7 is a base. Judging by the map one can see why acid rain is relevant for those individuals who live in our area. Acid rain is a term which is used to describe a variety of processes which might more accurately be referred to as acidic deposition. Natural rainfall is slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide, picked up in the atmosphere. Organisms and ecosystems all over the planet have adapted to the slightly acidic nature of normal rain, and thus it poses no environmental problems.

Problem –

It is an increase in the acidity of rain, caused by human activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels that has turned acid rain into a problem. Highly acidic rain can damage or destroy aquatic life, forests, crops and buildings, as well as posing a threat to human health.

Activity –

It is your goal as an organism living on this planet to identify the different ways in which you can reduce the amount of acid rain that accumulates and falls out of the sky. Use the website provided to come up with several possible solutions to the problem of acid rain.

Website –

Acid Rain – This was provided by Encarta courtesy of www.MSN.com

Date visited – 7/9/03

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761578185

Alternative Sites –

Acid Rain and Our Nation’s Capital

Date visited – 7/9/03

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/acidrain/index.html

EPA: Acid Rain

Date visited -7/9/03

http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/acidrain/

A PDF concerning Acid Rain