For Acid Rain we have terms and definitions in 14 topics. The topics are Atmospheric Chemistry, Climatology, Corrosion, Energy, Environment, Fish, Gardening, Geography, Import Cars, Natural Gas, Oil, Physical Geography, Science and Sociology.

Acid Rain (Atmospheric Chemistry)

Acidified particulate matter in the atmosphere that is deposited by precipitation onto a surface, often eroding the surface away. This precipitation generally has a pH less than 5 and sometimes much lower depending on the concentration of acidic components. [Nature; v367; page 321; 1994.] [Canadian Geographic; v114n5; pages 10-14; 1994.]

Acid Rain (Climatology)

Falling rain (or snow) which has become acidic as a result of its combination with gaseous pollutants, such as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen

Acid Rain (Corrosion)

Atmospheric precipitation with a pH below 3.6 to 5.7. Burning of fossil fuels for heat and power is the major factor in the generation of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, which are converted into nitric and sulfuric acids washed down in the rain. See also atmospheric corrosion

Acid Rain (Energy)

Also called acid precipitation or acid deposition, acid rain is precipitation containing harmful amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids formed primarily by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. It can be wet precipitation (rain, snow, or fog) or dry precipitation (absorbed gaseous and particulate matter, aerosol particles or dust). Acid rain has a pH below 5.6. Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6, which is slightly acidic. The term pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity and ranges from 0 to 14. A pH measurement of 7 is regarded as neutral. Measurements below 7 indicate increased acidity, while those above indicate increased alkalinity.

Acid Rain (Environment)

The precipitation of dilute solutions of strong mineral acids, formed by the mixing in the atmosphere of various industrial pollutants -- primarily sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides -- with naturally occurring oxygen and water vapor.

Acid Rain (Fish)

Rainfall with a pH of less than 7.0. Long-term deposition of these acids is linked to adverse effects on aquatic organisms and plant life in areas with poor neutralizing (buffering) capacity.

Acid Rain (Gardening)

Rainwater that contains sulfur dioxide and other pollutants from industrial plants. There has been considerable damage done to the forests of the US and Canada.

Acid Rain (Geography)

Rain that has become more acidic than normal (a pH below 5.0) as certain oxides present as airborne pollutants are absorbed by the water droplets. The term is often applied generically to all acidic precipitation.

Acid Rain (Import Cars)

Corrosive rain formed when sulfur (S) emissions from motor vehicles and industrial plants combine with hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid. The mixture of these chemicals with water produces an acid solution that is found in rain. Not only is it corrosive to anything it may come into contact with, it also raises the acidity of lakes and ponds, often to the point that fish and other aquatic life cannot survive.

Acid Rain (Natural Gas)

Abnormally acidic rainfall, most often containing dilute concentrations of sulfuric acid or nitric acid.

Acid Rain (Oil)

Natural rain or snow containing sulphuric acid and nitric acid which is created when industrial pollutants, especially sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, undergo chemical changes in the atmosphere.

Acid Rain (Physical Geography)

Rain with a pH less than 5.6. Normal pH of precipitation is 5.6.

Acid Rain (Science)

Rainwater with a high acid content (pH<5.6) that results from the reaction of water in the air with oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. A major source of these oxides is burning fossil fuels.

Acid Rain (Sociology)

The increased acidity of rainfall which is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants and automobiles.

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