Learn about the causes and effects of acid rain
When gases emitted by motor vehicles and industrial processes encounter clouds, the water vapour in the clouds combines with them to form acids, which are then returned to Earth as acid precipitation.
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Transcript
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NARRATOR: Rain is naturally a bit acid. However, some atmospheric pollutants dangerously increase this natural acidity. These gases are emitted mainly by motor vehicles and by industry. When they combine with the water in clouds, they form acids. Pushed by winds the clouds transport these acids, sometimes thousands of kilometers from the site of the pollution. They then fall back to earth in the form of acid rain or snow.
Acid precipitation has a number of harmful effects. It attacks plants, impoverishes soil, and infiltrates into the ground to pollute the water table. Acid rain can also cause acidification of lakes, destroying almost all plant and animal life in them. Because of pollution the acidity of rain can reach extreme values. In 1974 rain as acid as lemon juice fell in Scotland.
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NARRATOR: Rain is naturally a bit acid. However, some atmospheric pollutants dangerously increase this natural acidity. These gases are emitted mainly by motor vehicles and by industry. When they combine with the water in clouds, they form acids. Pushed by winds the clouds transport these acids, sometimes thousands of kilometers from the site of the pollution. They then fall back to earth in the form of acid rain or snow.
Acid precipitation has a number of harmful effects. It attacks plants, impoverishes soil, and infiltrates into the ground to pollute the water table. Acid rain can also cause acidification of lakes, destroying almost all plant and animal life in them. Because of pollution the acidity of rain can reach extreme values. In 1974 rain as acid as lemon juice fell in Scotland.
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