The rain is without a doubt an essential component for the survival of the world. It provides water for plants, as well as drinking water for many other organisms. Rain is usually thought of as a beneficial product of nature. However, when the chemical sulfur dioxide is involved, it becomes clear that rain has the potential to cause more harm than good.
Rain with a high concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is known as acid rain. Unfortunately, nearly all emissions of sulfur dioxide into the air are results of human activity, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels. When they are burned, fossil fuels release sulfur into the air that reacts with the surrounding oxygen to create the chemical compound SO2. Once in the air, this SO2 is able to react with more oxygen (O2) and rain water (H2O) to create sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
The reason these reactions are so problematic is because they create extremely acidic pH levels in the rainwater, mainly due to the high acidity of sulfuric acid. When exposed to water, H2SO4 easily dissociates into an SO42- ion, an HSO4- ion, and two H+ ions. The sharp increase of H+ ions dramatically lowers the pH, causing the water to become more and more acidic.
The environmental effects of this chemical reaction can be extremely detrimental. Many lakes have become too acidic for animals to live in them. Several sources of water have become too polluted by acid rain to be drinkable. And countless marble and limestone structures are being eroded away by the acidity of this dangerous rain.
I chose this article because I have always been fascinated by the effects of weather on the environment. I believe that, although the natural phenomena of weather can be beneficial and even beautiful, it is important for everyone to remember how dangerous weather can become if excessive pollution continues.
Link: http://www.chemistry.wustl.
Submitted by Carol A. Vitellas
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