Acid rain is any form of precipitation that is polluted by sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOX). This acid precipitation can be in the form of rain, snow, sleet, fog, or cloud vapors. The acidity of substances dissolved in water are measured by their pH levels. Normal precipitation pH levels fall between 5.0-5.6.2 When levels fall below these numbers, then the precipitation is said to be acidic.

There are two ways in which acid deposition can form. The first way occurs when nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide land on the Earth's surface, and interact with frost or dew. The second way takes place due to the oxidation of nitrogen oxides or sulphur dioxide gases that are released into the air.3 Since it may take up to several days for the gases to be altered into their acid counter-parts, the pollutants can travel miles away from their original source.

Humans can consume aluminum by drinking water or eating crops that have contaminated by acid precipitation. If ingested in large quantities, it can have toxic effects on human health. Many doctors believe that aluminum consumption can lead to Alzheimer's disease.1

(NO2 + 1/2O2 *** NO2) (2NO2 + H2O *** HNO2 + HNO3)

Besides trees, plants are also affected by acid rain. Reductions in pH levels can cause seed germination to be inhibited. Plant structures become weak, due to the loss of nutrients to the plant's tissues.4 Flowering of certain plants may not occur due to lack of essential minerals.

We see the effects of acidification everyday. All forms of acid precipitation may damage automotive coatings. The damaged is mostly observed on newly painted vehicles. It is the evaporation of acidic moisture that causes the damage. Many headstones and buildings and statues, such as the Statue of Liberty, are affected in the same way. Acid deposition can cause fading of these structures. Churches and cathedrals also suffer.3

(SO2 + H20 *** H2SO3) (SO2 + 1/2O2 *** SO3 + H2SO4)2

It can also harm plant life indirectly, by the acidification of soils. Acid rain can cause soil to loose nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. In very acid conditions, aluminum becomes soluble, and is released from the soil. At high enough concentrations, aluminum can cause damage to roots.

There are two ways in which aluminum can harm aquatic environments. It can cause a fish to suffocate, because aluminum precipitates in gills, thus interfering in the transport of oxygen. Secondly, fish produce mucus to combat the aluminum, in their gills. The mucus then builds up a clogs the fish's gills.5

Some common words found in the essay are:
HNO32 Acid, RAIN Pollution, Act Amendments, Emissions SO2, H2SO42 Human, Statue Liberty, acid rain, H2SO3 SO2, acid deposition, HNO3 NO2, ph levels, acid precipitation, plant life, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, affected acid, oxides sulphur dioxide, oxides sulphur, nitrogen oxides sulphur, life acid, life acid rain, + 1/2o2 ***,
Approximate Word count = 1363
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)