Wet deposition of acid rain refers to acidic pollutants being removed from the atmosphere and deposited onto the Earth's surface through precipitation. This includes rain, snow, sleet, hail, and fog.
In essence, it's acid rain in its most recognizable form: acidic compounds dissolved in various forms of water falling from the sky.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
-
The Process: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), released from sources like power plants, vehicles, and industrial activities, react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
-
Incorporation into Precipitation: These acids dissolve into water droplets, ice crystals, or other forms of precipitation.
-
Delivery to the Surface: The acidic precipitation then falls to the Earth, affecting bodies of water, soil, vegetation, and even buildings.
-
Impacts: The increased acidity can harm aquatic life, damage forests, corrode materials, and contribute to human health problems.
Examples of Wet Deposition:
- Acidic rainfall damaging forests.
- Acidic snow melting and entering streams, harming fish populations.
- Acidic fog damaging crops.
In contrast to wet deposition, dry deposition involves acidic particles and gases settling directly onto surfaces without precipitation. Both wet and dry deposition contribute to the overall problem of acid rain.
