FratFiles

• Save Paper

ACID RAIN


When fossil fuels such as coal, gasoline, and fuel oils are burned, they emit
oxides of sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen into the air. These oxides combine with
moisture in the air to form sulfuric acid, carbonic acid, and nitric acid. When
it rains or snows, these acids are brought to Earth in what is called acid rain.
During the course of the 20th century, the acidity of the air and acid rain
have come to be recognized as a leading threat to the stability and quality of
the Earth's environment. Most of this acidity is produced in the industrialized
nations of the Northern Hemisphere--the United States, Canada, Japan, and most
of the countries of Eastern and Western Europe.
The effects of acid rain can be devastating to many forms of life, including
human life. Its effects can be most vividly seen, however, in lakes, rivers, and
streams and on vegetation. Acidity in water kills virtually all life forms. By
the early 1990s tens of thousands of lakes had been......

View the rest of this paper...

Approximate Word Count: 442
Approximate Pages: 2 (250 words per double-spaced page)

Similar Essays

1. Acid Rain
   

   acid rain INTRODUCTION: Acid rain is a great problem in our world. It causes fish and plants to die in our waters. As well it causes harm to our own race as well, because we eat

2. Acid Rain
   

   Acid Rain Acid rain is rain that is more acidic than normal. Acid rain is a complicated problem. Caused by air pollution, acid rain's spread and damage involves weather,

3. Acid Rain
   

   acid rain ACID RAIN - A CONTEMPORARY WORLD PROBLEM Abstract This paper explores how acid rain is produced, what its impact is on the environment, what has been done by government

4. Acid Rain Pollution
   

   Acid Rain pollution ACID RAIN name here Engineering 303i Professor h May 3, 2004 BIBLIOGRAPHY Penguin Publishing House, 1987 , Pearce Fred Acid Rain. What is it and what is it

5. The Acid Rain Issue
   

   The Acid Rain Issue Acid Rain is a serious problem with disastrous effects. Every day this problem increases. Many believe that this issue is too small to deal with, but if the