Acid Rain - AP Environmental Science
- What role do trees play in the acid rain cycle?
- Trees absorb and store acidic water, affecting soil and habitats. Forest canopy intercepts acidic precipitation, concentrating effects.
- Which aquatic organisms are highly sensitive to pH changes?
- Fish and amphibians. These species have limited ability to regulate internal pH.
- How does acid rain affect soil pH over time?
- Lowers the soil pH, making it more acidic. Cumulative acid inputs gradually reduce soil alkalinity.
- What is the process of neutralizing acid rain in lakes?
- Lime addition or liming. Lime raises pH by neutralizing acidic water chemistry.
- How does acid rain indirectly affect human health?
- Contaminates water supplies with heavy metals leached from soil. Acids mobilize toxic metals from soil into groundwater.
- Identify one economic impact of acid rain.
- Damage to fisheries and agriculture. Reduced productivity and infrastructure damage cost billions annually.
- What is the primary source of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere?
- Automobile exhaust. Internal combustion engines produce significant NOₓ emissions.
- Identify one method to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions.
- Install scrubbers in industrial smokestacks. Scrubbers remove sulfur compounds before gases are released.
- What is acid deposition?
- The settling of acid or acid-forming pollutants from the atmosphere. Includes both wet and dry forms of acidic pollution fallout.
- Which type of rock is most resistant to acid rain damage?
- Granite. Dense crystalline structure resists chemical weathering by acids.
- Identify a health effect of acid rain on humans.
- Respiratory issues due to inhalation of fine particles. Acid rain precursors form harmful particulate matter in air.
- How does acid rain affect human-made structures?
- It corrodes buildings and monuments, especially limestone. Acids react with calcium carbonate in stone, causing deterioration.
- Which international agreement addresses acid rain?
- The Gothenburg Protocol. European agreement to reduce sulfur and nitrogen emissions.
- What is wet deposition?
- Acidic rain, fog, and snow. Direct delivery of acids through precipitation events.
- What is the effect of acid rain on plant leaves?
- Causes damage and reduces photosynthesis. Direct contact burns leaf tissue and blocks stomata.
- What is the role of ammonia in acid rain formation?
- Ammonia can neutralize some acids in the atmosphere. Acts as a natural base to counteract atmospheric acidity.
- Identify one way to reduce acid rain through energy policy.
- Promote renewable energy sources. Clean energy reduces fossil fuel combustion and emissions.
- Which gas is primarily responsible for the formation of sulfuric acid in the atmosphere?
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Main precursor gas that forms sulfuric acid in atmosphere.
- What is the role of carbonic acid in acid rain?
- Contributes to natural acidity of rainwater. Forms when atmospheric CO₂ dissolves in water droplets.
- What is dry deposition?
- Acidic gases and particles settling out of the atmosphere. Acidic compounds fall to earth without precipitation involvement.
- Which law in the U.S. aims to reduce acid rain?
- The Clean Air Act. Established emission standards to control acid rain precursors.
- What natural process can cause acid rain?
- Volcanic eruptions releasing sulfur dioxide. Natural volcanic emissions contribute significant atmospheric sulfur.
- Which ecosystems are most affected by acid rain?
- Forests and aquatic ecosystems. These ecosystems are particularly sensitive to pH changes.
- What kind of soil is most vulnerable to acid rain?
- Soils low in calcium and magnesium. These soils lack buffering capacity to neutralize acids.
- What is the effect of acid rain on soil nutrients?
- Leaches essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium. Acid mobilizes nutrients, making them unavailable to plants.
- Which international body regulates transboundary air pollution?
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). European organization managing cross-border pollution agreements.
- What is a common method for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions?
- Catalytic converters in vehicles. These devices reduce NOₓ emissions from vehicle exhaust.
- Which pH level is considered neutral?
- pH 7. Neither acidic nor basic on the pH scale.
- What is acid rain?
- Precipitation with a pH less than 5.6. Normal rain is slightly acidic at pH 5.6 due to dissolved CO₂.
- Identify one method to monitor acid rain.
- Collecting and analyzing precipitation samples. Regular pH testing tracks acidification trends over time.
- State one major effect of acid rain on aquatic life.
- Lower pH levels can harm or kill aquatic organisms. Acidic water disrupts fish reproduction and survival rates.
- What pH value classifies rainwater as acidic?
- A pH value below 5.6. Normal rainwater is pH 5.6 due to natural carbonic acid formation.
- Name one natural buffer that neutralizes acid rain.
- Calcium carbonate in limestone. This mineral neutralizes acids through chemical reactions.
- What is the main component of acid rain that affects buildings?
- Sulfuric acid. Strong acid that aggressively attacks building materials.
- How does acid rain affect visibility?
- Reduces visibility due to sulfate and nitrate particles. Fine acidic particles scatter light, creating haze conditions.
- What human activity is a major source of sulfur dioxide?
- Burning fossil fuels. Coal and oil combustion releases large amounts of sulfur compounds.
- Which chemical reaction converts nitrogen oxide to nitric acid?
- NOₓ + H₂O → HNO₃. Nitrogen oxides react with water to produce nitric acid.
- Identify two primary pollutants that cause acid rain.
- Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ). These gases react with water vapor to form acids in the atmosphere.