Module 7
Acid Rain
Introduction
Pure water is neither acidic nor basic. It
is neutral which means that it means a pH of 7.
On the other hand, rainwater is generally acidic
about pH of 5.6, because of carbon dioxide
normally present in the air as well as other
pollutants. These pollutants are mostly
composed of Sulfur and Nitrogen. Sulfates come
from volcanic emissions, Sulfur dioxides from
industries and power stations that burn fossil
fuel containing Sulfur and Nitrogen oxides mostly
from exhaust of motor vehicles. If there is an
increase in the emission of this compounds in the
atmosphere, it would cause acid rain.
[Link]
Learning Objective:
At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:
1. Determine the source of acid rain and reactions involved in its formation.
2. Describe ways by which acid rain can be reduced.
3. Compare the occurrence of acid rain between urban and rural areas.
Pre-Assessment
Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. What is the pH level of acid rain?
a. 4
b. 1
c. 3
d. 6
2. What can acid rain pollute?
a. Trees
b. Air
c. Water
d. Clouds
1
3. What can acid rain corrode?
a. Statues
b. Bricks
c. House
d. Trees
4. What is released into the sea to cause ocean acidification?
a. Carbon dioxide
b. Oxygen
c. Nitric acid
d. Sulfuric acid
5. What happens when acid rain hits the ground?
a. Kill the grass
b. It can leech aluminum from the soil
c. Evaporate
d. Absorb key nutrients from soil
6. The major source of Sulfur and Nitrogen compounds in acid rain, except:
a. Industries
b. Power stallions
c. Windmills
d. Motor vehicles
7. Exposure to high level of pollutants in the air is linked to respiratory problems in man.
a. Asthma and bronchitis
b. Skin allergies
c. Skin rashes
d. Cough and cold
Lesson Presentation
Acid rain is a complex environmental problem which affect many countries around the world.
Acid rain forms when clean air comes in contact with pollutants in the air like Sulfur dioxide (SO 2),
Carbon dioxide (CO2), and Nitrogen oxide (NO). Although Sulfur dioxide and Carbon dioxide occur
naturally in the air, burning fossil fuel add more to this chemical to the air. When these pollutants are
released into the air, they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acid rain. Then
it falls to the earth and damage plants, animals, soil, water, and buildings. Despite its name, acid rain
does not burn and cannot directly harm people. However, the pollutants that cause acid rain can react
with other pollutants in the rain forming particulate matter which can sometimes make people suffer
from respiratory illness.
2
EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN
A. To Man-Made Materials
1. It eats away at stone, metal, paint almost
any material exposed to weather for a long
period of time.
2. Rust metals and cause marble statues curve
and lose their features.
3. Acid dissolves Calcium carbonate found in
limestones thus, many monuments and
buildings are damaged.
[Link]
B. Effects on Humans
1. Breathing air that contain pollutants can
irritate damage human lungs.
2. Exposure to high level have been linked to
asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis.
3. Particulate matter such as dust can bypass the
body’s natural defenses.
4. Reduce visibility.
[Link]
C. Effects on the Ecosystem
1. Causes trees in the forest grow more
slowly.
2. Leaves turn brown and fall.
3. Acid rain causes the release of aluminum
from the soil, which is a harmful element.
Once released it can contaminate bodies of
water and kill organisms like fishes.
4. Once the bodies of water turn acidic and
number and type of organism that live in
these waters will decrease and later die.
[Link]
WHAT IS BEING DONE
1. Reduce emissions by reducing the burning of fossil fuel and utilizing other energy sources like
windmill.
2. Practice conservation, conserve electricity by turning off light, appliances, and computers.
3
3. Reduce amount of times you spend in car by walking or biking.
4. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Recycle everything you can.
6. Volunteer to help clean the surroundings.
Reference:
1. What is Acid Rain?
- [Link]
2. Chemistry of Acid Rain
- [Link]
Assessment
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds of Sulfur dioxide and
Nitrogen oxide are released into the atmosphere. These substances can rise very high into the air where
they mix and react with water, Oxygen and other chemicals to form acidic pollutants.
A table below show the mean concentration of ions in the rain recorded from 2 areas, 1 from
urban and the other from rural area. Study them carefully, then make a graph and interpret the graph
by comparing the 2 sites.
Mean Concentration of Ions in the Rain Recorded in 2 Areas
ION RURAL URBAN
SO4 (SULFATE) 25 46
NO3 (NITRATE) 12 24
NH4 (AMMONIA) 8.3 38
Ca (CALCIUM) 7 29
Mg (MAGNESIUM) 1.9 6
K (POTASSIUM) 0.4 2
Na (SODIUM) 5 14
4
Reinforcement
Acid rain is a result of air pollution, when compounds of Sulfur and compounds of Nitrogen,
mostly from industries, power stations, and motor vehicles are released into the atmosphere and reacts
with water and other pollutants. It is harmful to the ecosystem and to living things.
The next module will discuss another problem that pose risk not only to humanity but to aquatic
organisms as well. It is considered as one of the major problems in Philippines today. It is the issue of
plastic pollution.