M eteorology 1020
Internet Assignment Acid Rain
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Tell me what type or types of clouds you observed this morning walking to class. What fraction of the sky was covered by what type of cloud? Was the local weather about what was forecasted? As a reference use this link .

Acid Rain

The Internet Companion provides access to many different types of information. Some relate directly to concepts and issues developed in the accompanying text while others allow the user to explore additional subjects in greater depth. This exercise is intended to explore acid rain.

The Environmental Protection Agency provides information on acid rain. From this webpage, answer the following questions.

  • 1. What is acid rain? Include in your answer the definition of wet and dry deposition.
  • 2. What are the primary causes of acid rain?
  • 3. How does acid rain form?
This EPA webpage provides information on the effects of acid rain. From this webpage, answer the following questions.
  • 4. How does acid rain effect fish?
  • 5. How does acid rain effect forests?
Acid rain is measured using the "pH" scale. The lower the rain's pH, the more acidic it is. Pure water has a pH of 7.0. Normal rain has a pH of 5.5 because carbon dioxide dissolves in the rain, making it slightly acidic. Click here to learn more about pH The National Atmospheric Depostion Program is a network of precipitation monitoring sites. pH Measurements 2006 shows precipitation pH measurments for the United States for 2005. Total Precipitation 2006 shows total precipitation measurements for the United States for 2006. From these two graphics, answer the following questions.
  • 6. Which states have the most acidic (lowest pH) rain?
  • 7. Approximately how many centimeters of rain did these states recieve?

To reduce one of the primary causes of acid rain, the EPA reduces the emission of sulfur dioxide through a market-based approach called Allowance Trading. Use this webpage to answer the following questions.

  • 8. What are allowances?
  • 9. How are allowances allocated?
  • 10. Who trades allowances?
  • 11. How effective do you think this approach will be in controlling sulfur dioxide emissions?

Due Date 2008
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