What kind of pollution is acid rain? How does acid rain acidify the soil?

Acid rain is a complex phenomenon of atmospheric chemistry and physics, and is a global problem. When the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere decreases, acid rain decreases, and vice versa. It can cause plants to grow slowly or die directly, corrode metals, and increase soil acidity. The following is how acid rain acidifies the soil, so that we can have a better understanding of acid rain and take more precautions!

Contents of this article

1. What kind of pollution is acid rain?

2. How does acid rain acidify the soil?

3. Ways to reduce acid rain

What type of pollution is acid rain?

Acid rain is a form of air pollution.

Acid rain is also known as acid precipitation. Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide go through the process of rain formation in the cloud and the process of washing under the cloud, causing the pH value of rainwater to be less than 5.6, forming acid rain, which can cause plants to grow slowly or die directly, corrode metals, and increase soil acidity.

Acid rain is a type of air pollution that can cause other types of pollution, such as water pollution and biological pollution. Acid rain is a complex phenomenon of atmospheric chemistry and physics and a global problem. When the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere decreases, acid rain will weaken, and vice versa.

How does acid rain acidify the soil?

Precipitation is the main source of soil moisture. However, when the pH value of precipitation is less than 5 or 6, acid rain is formed. Obviously, when the input of acid rain exceeds the buffering capacity of the soil, the soil will become acidic, causing changes in the physical and chemical properties of the soil. For example, it accelerates the weathering and release of soil minerals, causing leaching of plant nutrients, especially K, Na, Ca, Mg, etc., reducing the cation exchange capacity and base saturation of the soil, etc. In addition, acid rain can also activate toxic and harmful elements in the soil. For example, aluminum-rich soil will release a large amount of active aluminum under the action of acid rain, causing aluminum poisoning in plants.

Ways to reduce acid rain

Acid rain prevention and control measures:

1. Raw coal desulfurization technology can remove about 40% to 60% of inorganic sulfur in coal.

2. Give priority to the use of low-sulfur fuels, such as low-sulfur coal and natural gas with low sulfur content.

3. Improve coal-burning technology and reduce the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides during coal-burning. For example, liquefied coal-burning technology is one of the new technologies welcomed by various countries. It mainly uses the addition of limestone and dolomite to react with sulfur dioxide to generate calcium sulfate, which is discharged with ash.

4. Desulfurization of flue gas before it is discharged into the atmosphere. Currently, lime method is mainly used to remove 85% to 90% of sulfur dioxide gas in flue gas.