Acid Rain in Canada

Question 1 Answer

Acid rain is rain consisting of water droplets that are unusually acidic because of atmospheric pollution

Q&A

THE END

Thank You

Canada had made significant impacts through this project, some of them are:

• 50% cut in domestic acidifying SO2 emissions since 1980

• decrease in transboundary flows of acidifying emissions

• significant decrease in the area of eastern North America receiving levels of deposition that are unsustainable to moderately sensitive ecosystems

• reductions in acidifying pollutants

Canada will achieve these objectives by working to:

1. aggressively reduce domestic emissions

2. expand science, sustain monitoring and reporting

3. re-engage federal, provincial & territorial partners

4. strengthen cooperation internationally, particularly with the US

5. keep Canadians informed about this problem and educate them on how they can work together to save the lakes and forests from acid deposition

Canada is currently addressing acidification as a long term problem needing a long term solution that will protect ecosystems from damage due to acidification and enable recovery of ecosystem structure and function affected by acid deposition.

The result is aquatic ecosystems that are unable to support a variety of species; therefore, biodiversity continues to remain below pre-acidification levels.

Under optimistic emission reduction scenarios, recovery of eastern Canadian ecosystems could take fifty to seventy-five years.

Evidence predicts that the North American Maple is dying at a rate of 2.3% for each 100 exceeding units due to the loss of calcium and other nutrients from soils. Lakes and streams are also remaining too acidic or are not recovering to the point where they cannot support sensitive fish and aquatic biota.

Question 2

Question 1

Give one effect of acid rain.

Question 3

What is Acid Rain?

The Canada Acid Rain

When did the Canada Acid Rain Program start?

Acid Rain - What is it?

The Canadian Acid Rain Program aims to solve the acid deposition problem in eastern Canada & prevent this problem in western and northern Canada.

Acid rain? isn't that acid + rain?

• Acid rain is rain consisting of water droplets that are unusually acidic because of atmospheric pollution

Recent scientific evidence shows that as much as 70% of eastern Canada receives levels of acid deposition in excess of critical loads. At these levels, forest health and productivity are threatened.

QUIZ TIME!!

• The most notable atmospheric pollution is excessive amounts of sulfur and nitrogen released by cars and industrial processes

Acid deposition is responsible for the loss of millions of cubic meters of wood from eastern Canadian forests and the capacity of eastern Canadian ecosystems to recover is hindered as the buffering capacity of the environment continues to decline.

Acid Rain Video

Acid Rain in Canada

Causes of acid rain

• Acid deposition can occur via natural sources like volcanoes but it is mainly caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide during fossil fuel combustion

• When these gases are discharged into the atmosphere they react with the water, oxygen and other gases already present there to form sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate and nitric acid, which are the main components in acid rain

Ocean Acidification Video

The Formation of Acid Rain

Effects of acid rain

• Acid falling on a forest’s soil is also harmful because it disrupts soil nutrients, kills microorganisms in the soil, and can sometimes cause a calcium deficiency

Question 2 Answer

Effects of acid rain

Acid rain corrodes buildings and statues

Acid rain also corrodes buildings and statues.

Ocean Acidification

Question 3 Answer

Make water bodies unsuitable for aquatic organisms to live

• As acid rain flows into large bodies of water, it is diluted but over time, acids can accumulate and lower the overall pH of the body of water. If the pH of a lake drops below 4.8, its plants and animals risk death

• A rising concern is on Ocean Acidification, a consequence of acid rain.

Cause damage to trees, stunts their growth, hence making them vulnerable to diseases, insects, and extreme weathers

It started in the 1960s.

Disrupts soil nutrients, kills microorganisms in the soil, and sometimes even calcium deficiency

• As acid rain falls on trees, it can make them lose their leaves, damage their bark, and stunt their growth. By damaging these parts of the tree, it makes them vulnerable to disease, extreme weather and insects