Acid rain is a common term associated with precipitation having a low pH. Acidity is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, and a low pH reading has a high amount of hydrogen ions present. Acid rain is caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that react with water that is in the atmosphere and produces acids. Since the 1970s the government has tried to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, and positive results in the atmosphere have been noted. Nitrogen oxides can be caused by naturally occurring events like lightning or volcano eruptions that can cause sulfur compounds to be released into the atmosphere.
The pH scale is set up where a neutral solution such as distilled water has a pH of 7 and is considered to be neither acidic nor alkaline. Lower pH values indicate stronger acids. Unpolluted rainwater has a pH of about 5.7-6 which would make it only slightly acidic. The presence of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide causes the pH to reach about 2 which would constitute a strong acid.
Human uses that contribute the major share of sulfur and nitrogen compounds are due to emissions from factories or automobiles, and much effort has been made to reduce these fumes. Coal power plants are particularly noxious, and legislation has been established to limit their emissions. The gases can be carried hundreds of miles before they are converted into acids, so widespread ecological damage can occur. Livestock production contributes greatly to acid rain production because of the great amounts of ammonia produced as a result of metabolic activities.
Acid rain has been shown to produce negative effects on plants, freshwater, soil, insects, and aquatic organisms. Buildings have become damaged as well as human health has been compromised. Some microorganisms in the soil are unable to survive at the lower pHs and die. This is a result of the enzymes in the bodies of the microorganisms becoming unable to direct their various chemical reactions, and so the microorganisms die. Fish eggs will not usually hatch in water that has a pH lower than 5. The addition of acid rain to the various bodies of water cuts down on the biodiversity of the fish because many are unable to survive. Buildings that are made of limestone or marble are jeopardized by acid rain because the acid rain reacts with the calcium carbonate and becomes gypsum which then easily sloughs off. This effect has made the inscriptions on old tombstones illegible after many years of exposure to these adverse conditions. Acid rain breaks down copper and other decorative metals at a much faster rate when exposed to long periods of these pollutants.
Reducing acid rain could be the most critical factor in preserving the integrity of natural habitats. It will require societal changes as well as changes in individual actions to accomplish this.
Congress created the Acid Rain Program in Title IV of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendme Which would be true about a high pH reading?

Responses

There would be a low number of oxygen ions present.

There would be a low number of oxygen ions present.

There would be a low number of hydrogen ions present.

There would be a low number of hydrogen ions present.

There would be a high number of oxygen ions present.

There would be a high number of oxygen ions present.

There would be a high number of hydrogen ions present.

There would be a high number of hydrogen ions present.