Ecology

Ecology What is acid rain' Acid rain is the name commonly given to the deposition of a cocktail of acidifying compounds to soils, surface waters and buildings. These compounds arise mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels. In some parts of the United Kingdom, natural ecosystems have a significant acid-neutralizing capacity and acid rain has little impact on them. In other parts, the neutralizing capacity is limited, and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are sensitive to acid deposition. In acid-sensitive areas, acid rain degrades the terrestrial environment and causes damage to plants and the soils in which they grow. Substances are released which run off into water bodies and toxic to water life. Acidic materials deposited directly from the atmosphere also have the effect of altering the acid balance in water bodies and this too has an effect on the life they support. Acidic deposition onto sensitive buildings causes decay of stonework and other materials. Where does acid rain come from' Acid rain is made from man-made emissions and a few natural compounds. A few of the emissions responsible for acidic rain is sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. Ammonia, which is mainly from agricultural process is also responsible for a lot rain, acid, coal, compounds, emissions, water, sulfur, producing, permit, environment, deposition, company, companies, buildings, bodies, atmosphere, acidic, terrestrial, soils, sensitive, responsible, released, reduce, production, process, pollution, plants, parts, nitrogen, natural, materials, mainly, lot, little, life