Impact Of Acid Rain Research Articles

Mitigating acid rain stress and enhancing aquaponics lettuce quality through root protection

Aquaponics is a sustainable eco-agricultural technology that combines aquaculture with horticulture. However, there is still limited research on the effects and preventive measures of acid rain on aquaponics vegetables. Herein, we conducted an experiment to decipher the combined effect of acid rain (pH 5.0, 4.0, and 3.0) and the protecting treatments (AR and AG) on the lettuce, in which plant growth, photosynthetic system, antioxidant system, nutrition and mineral elements were investigated. The results indicated that acid rain was the main factor affecting the growth of lettuce. Without acid rain, the various indicators of lettuce did not alter under AR and AG treatments. As pH decreased, lettuce yield and quality gradually decreased. Acid rain stimulated the antioxidant system and reduced root vitality and nutrient absorption. AG treatment mitigated the harm of acid rain on lettuce root vitality, soluble sugars, nitrate, and ascorbic acid content. At pH 4.0, AG treatment had the greatest mitigating effect. While at pH 3.0, AG treatment had no effect on the SOD activity, total phenolic and soluble sugar content of lettuce. These findings indicated that protecting the roots can mitigate the impact of acid rain on the edible and nutritional value of aquaponics lettuce. As pH decreased, this mitigating effect gradually diminished. In summary, the detrimental effect of acid rain on aquaponics lettuce was inevitable, yet protective root treatments offered a viable strategy to mitigate this stress. This research established a foundation for the enhancement of aquaponics systems resilience to acid rain.

POLICY FORMULATION FOR ANTICIPATING THE IMPACT OF ACID RAIN ON PADDY PLANTS USING NORMATIVE JURIDICAL ANALYSIS

Law Number 32 of 2009 Article 57, paragraph 4C that one of the preservations of atmosphere functions regulate efforts to protect against acid rain. One of the effects of acid rain is soil damage to plants, such as what happened to paddy plants. In Indonesia, paddy is one of the priority food sources, but every year, it decreases in several regions. Aims: This study aimed at acid rain's anticipated impact on paddy plants in this case study Bandung Regency. Methodology and results: The approach method in this study is a normative juridical approach, using primary data sources obtained through interviews and journal literature. Then, secondary data from legal literature were analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The study results show that the Bandung Regency Environmental Service has enforced the law. However, violations still occur by industry and society through vehicle emissions, coupled with the increase in population. One of the efforts to formulate policies to anticipate acid rain in paddy plants is to establish sanctions for violators who still pollute the environment, apply catalytic converters to vehicle exhausts that have the potential to remove NOx, carry out measurements at groundwater measurement stations, water quality information systems (manual or real-time). In addition, the irrigation policy for river water flowing on agricultural land with existing laws is being improved. Conclusion, significance, and impact study: Anticipating the impact of acid rain on rice requires various approaches, both technical and non-technical, as well as further analysis from various policy sectors.

Research on the Effects of Acid Rain and Improvement Measures

With the continuous development of industrial production, transportation and people's life all over the world, acid rain has become one of the major problems that seriously threaten the world environment. In this paper, the causes of acid rain, the effects of acid rain and the measures to control acid rain are studied. The influencing factors and forming process of acid rain were further expounded. Acid rain also affects buildings, animals, plants and humans to varying degrees - acid rain can cause different degrees of corrosion to buildings; Affecting the reproductive system of aquatic plants and causing egg defects in birds; It affects plant structure, physiological function and living environment. Therefore, in order to deal with acid rain, countries have implemented corresponding measures. This paper mainly introduces the Acid Rain Program (ARP) of the United States and the tax policy of Sweden. The treatment of acid rain is definitely not a simple thing, and people need to further explore more efficient and concise methods in the future. The purpose of this study is to clarify the serious impact of acid rain on society, economy and human life, and to arouse people's attention to acid rain and environmental protection.

Impact of Simulated Acid Rain on Soil Base Cations Dissolution between Eucalyptus Pure Plantations and Eucalyptus–Castanopsis fissa Mixed Plantations

The soils of Eucalyptus pure plantations and Eucalyptus–Castanopsis fissa mixed plantations were studied using soil column leaching experiments with acid solutions to mimic the effects of acid rain on the soils. This helped researchers learn more about how soil base ions react to acid deposition and their ability to protect the soil from excessive acidity under pure and mixed-species plantations. The results showed that acid rain leaching increased the leaching loss, desorption, and desorption rate of soil base ions while decreasing the soil pH value, adsorption, and adsorption rate of soil base ions. The soil pH value and the leaching loss ranges of K+, Na+, and Mg2+ were all greater in the pure plantations than in the mixed plantations, while the leaching range of Ca2+ was greater in the mixed plantation than in the pure plantations. In the two types of plantations, the adsorption rates of Ca2+ and Na+ in the mixed plantations were higher than in the pure plantations, while K+ and Mg2+ showed higher adsorption rates in the pure plantations than in the mixed plantations. Therefore, soil pH and base ions were greatly affected by the pH value of acid rain. Compared with the pure plantations, the establishment of Eucalyptus–Castanopsis fissa mixed plantations can slow soil acidification and leaching of K+, Na+, and Mg2+ and contribute to the adsorption of Ca2+ and Na+, which is beneficial for the soil nutrient fixation of Eucalyptus plantations. The mixed plantations were found to increase the exchange reaction between H+ and base ions, thereby improving the acid buffer performance of the soil. This, in turn, helped to mitigate the decline in soil fertility. Therefore, establishment of Eucalyptus–Castanopsis fissa mixed-species plantations can slow down the impact of acid rain on soil acidification in artificial plantation land to a certain extent and play an important role in optimizing the plantation structure of Eucalyptus stands and maintaining their productivity.

The impact of acid rain on cadmium phytoremediation in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Sunflower is an ideal crop for phytoremediation of cadmium-contaminated farmland, as it brings economic benefits while conducting soil remediation. Due to industrial emissions and car exhaust, Cd contaminated areas are often accompanied by acid rain. However, the impact of acid rain on the Cd remediation capacity of sunflowers and its potential influencing factors are unclear. An experiment was manipulated to elucidate the effects of Cd concentration (0,10,50,100 μmol/L) and acid rain (pH 4.0) on the phytoremediation ability of sunflowers, in which the properties of them were explored. The results indicated that Cd stress is the main factor affecting the growth of sunflowers. Without AR, Cd treatment decreased sunflower biomass by 67.5–85.6%. Under AR, Cd treatment decreased sunflower biomass 53.9–86.4%. Compared without AR, the relative chlorophyll content with AR increased by 22.3–23.1%, while the YII with AR decreased by 6.5–20.0%. There was an interaction between acid rain and Cd stress on antioxidant enzyme activity. With AR, CAT activity at 0 μmol/L Cd treatment increased by 25.6%, compared without AR. Whether there is acid rain or not, the POD and SOD activities were increased at 10, 50 μmol/L Cd treatment, but they were decreased at 100 μmol/L Cd treatment. Among them, acid rain exacerbated the impact of POD activity (decreased by 31.4%) at 100 μmol/L Cd treatment and SOD activity (decreased by 15.1%) at 50 μmol/L Cd treatment, compared without AR. In this experiment, the phytoremediation capacity of sunflowers mainly depended on the concentration of Ca in the leaves and their antioxidant capacity. Acid rain enhanced 77.5% the total Cd accumulation at 10 μmol/L Cd treatment, compared without AR. Acid rain exacerbated the damage of Cd to the chloroplast structure of sunflowers, and reduced the accumulation of starch particles. The study findings may be useful for improving the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil.

Browning of Scottish surface water sources exposed to climate change

Levels of dissolved natural organic matter (DNOM) are increasing in our boreal watercourses. This is manifested by an apparent increase in its yellow to brown colour of the water, i.e., browning. Sound predictions of future changes in colour of our freshwaters is a prerequisite for predicting effects on aquatic fauna and a sustainable operation of drinking water facilities using surface waters as raw water sources. A model for the effect of climate on colour (mg Pt L-1) has been developed for two surface raw water sources in Scotland, i.e., at Bracadale and Port Charlotte. Both sites are situated far out on the Scottish west coast, without major impact of acid rain, with limited amounts of frost, and with limited recent land-use changes. The model was fitted to 15 years long data-series on colour measurements, provided by Scottish Water, at the two sites. Meteorological data were provided by UK Met. The models perform well for both sites in simulating the variation in monthly measured colour, explaining 89 and 90% of the variation at Bracadale and Port Charlotte, respectively. These well fitted models were used to predict future changes in colour due to changes in temperature and precipitation based on median climate data from a high emission climate RCP8.5 scenario from the HadCM3 climate model (UKCP18). The model predicted an increase in monthly average colour during growing season at both sites from about 150 mg Pt L-1 to about 200 mg Pt L-1 in 2050–2079. Temperature is found to be the most important positively driver for colour development at both sites.

Acid Rain and Seed Germination: A Predictive Model Using ML-based CART Algorithm

The impact of acid rain on the germination of seeds is a significant concern in agricultural and environmental studies. Acid rain, characterized by elevated acidity levels due to pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, can adversely affect the germination process of various plant species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of simulated acid rain (SAR) on the germination of Brinjal (Solanum melongena Linn.) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata ssp. cylindrica L. Walpers) crops. The experiments were conducted using eight plastic trays of approximately 25 cm. x 30 cm dimensions. Four trays were used for experiments with brinjal seeds (Set I), while the other four were used for cowpea seeds (Set II). One tray from each set was used as positive control and treated with normal pH 5.6, while the other three trays from each batch were treated with SAR solutions of pH 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5. Brinjal seed germination percentage and seed vigor were inferior to Cowpea seeds. The seeds treated with SAR (pH 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5) showed hindered seed germination. Furthermore, a more significant inhibitory effect was observed at lower pH values. The mean germination percentage of seeds was highest for standard SAR (pH 5.6) in the case of Brinjal seeds, while it was recorded lowest for Cowpea seeds. The results indicate that plants do not respond uniformly to SAR. To investigate the behavior of the simulated acid rain data, a Machine Learning-based Decision Tree Algorithm was employed to identify and optimize conditions. Cowpea was predicted to get 95% seed germination, whereas brinjal would only be 64% in acid rain of pH value 5.05 for 36 hours. In conclusion, utilizing a Machine Learning-based CART algorithm has provided valuable insights into predicting the germination behavior of seeds under the influence of acid rain.

Nitrate determines the bacterial habitat specialization and impacts microbial functions in a subsurface karst cave.

Karst caves are usually considered as natural laboratories to study pristine microbiomes in subsurface biosphere. However, effects of the increasingly detected nitrate in underground karst ecosystem due to the acid rain impact on microbiota and their functions in subsurface karst caves have remained largely unknown. In this study, samples of weathered rocks and sediments were collected from the Chang Cave, Hubei province and subjected to high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The results showed that nitrate significantly impacted bacterial compositions, interactions, and functions in different habitats. Bacterial communities clustered according to their habitats with distinguished indicator groups identified for each individual habitat. Nitrate shaped the overall bacterial communities across two habitats with a contribution of 27.2%, whereas the pH and TOC, respectively, structured bacterial communities in weathered rocks and sediments. Alpha and beta diversities of bacterial communities increased with nitrate concentration in both habitats, with nitrate directly affecting alpha diversity in sediments, but indirectly on weathered rocks by lowering pH. Nitrate impacted more on bacterial communities in weathered rocks at the genus level than in sediments because more genera significantly correlated with nitrate concentration in weathered rocks. Diverse keystone taxa involved in nitrogen cycling were identified in the co-occurrence networks such as nitrate reducers, ammonium-oxidizers, and N2-fixers. Tax4Fun2 analysis further confirmed the dominance of genes involved in nitrogen cycling. Genes of methane metabolism and carbon fixation were also dominant. The dominance of dissimilatory and assimilatory nitrate reduction in nitrogen cycling substantiated nitrate impact on bacterial functions. Our results for the first time revealed the impact of nitrate on subsurface karst ecosystem in terms of bacterial compositions, interactions, and functions, providing an important reference for further deciphering the disturbance of human activities on the subsurface biosphere.

THE EFFECTS OF ACID MIST ENVIRONMENT ON PLANT GROWTH: A REVIEW

The wet (rain, snow, fog, sleet, dew) and dry (transport of aerosol, particles and gases) deposition of acidic substance in environment results due to human, automobile, fossil fuel burning and industrial activities. Acid deposition is worldwide environmental degradation problems and in recent years these acidic materials are increasing at alarming scale in the environment both in developed and developing countries, including Pakistan. Some scientific literature survey reports suggest that plant growth and agriculture yield decrease due to consequence of acid rain. In addition, acid rain is found responsible for producing toxic effects on the morphological parameters of agricultural crop. The evidence collected from last more than fifty years showed the common significant effects of acid rain on seed germination percentage, seedling height, root hair and structure, alteration in leaf anatomy, size and area, stomatal structure, size, pollen germination, photosynthetic pigments and physiological changes in herbs, shrubs and trees. Still, little is known on the impact of acid rain on plant growth. This study was aimed to review the effects of acid mist on growth performances of some selected plant species. This review is contributed with the help of literature survey, research work published on the impact of acid rain on the plant growth.

The Impact of Acid Rain in Central China and Possible Solution

Acid rain, with a pH below 5.6, is a significant global environmental concern with detrimental effects on ecosystems and human activities. It is the result of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) reacting with water vapor, oxygen, and other compounds in the atmosphere, forming acids that eventually fall back to the ground. Central China has been identified as one of the most heavily impacted regions by acid rain. This paper summarizes the situation and causes of acid rain in Central China, assesses governmental controls, and points out remaining issues and potential solutions. In Central China, sulfuric acid rain forming from SO2 is the predominant form of acid rain, while nitric acid forming from NOx is a minor contributor. The main sources of acid rain that produce SO2 and NOx include the combustion of fossil fuels, certain industrial processes, vehicle exhausts, and agricultural activities. In addition, the pH value of acid rain in Central China also varies seasonally, with the highest pH value in spring and the lowest in autumn, due to different seasonal atmospheric circulation patterns and meteorological factors, which affect the chance of occurrence and the acidity of acid rain.

Evaluation of the Impact of Acid Rain on the Feasibility of CCS in Landfill Sites

Evaluation of the Impact of Acid Rain on the Feasibility of CCS in Landfill Sites

IMPACT OF ACID RAIN ON THE ENVIRONMENT

The article touches on the topic of acid rain, which poses a serious threat to the environment. The idea is substantiated that the presence in the atmosphere of certain acid-forming compounds, primarily sulfuric and nitric acids, formed as a result of the chemical interaction of sulfur and nitrogen oxides with atmospheric water vapor, can lead to acidification of rainwater. It is noted that the interaction of acid rain and ecosystem elements leads to a disruption of the equilibrium processes occurring in the biosphere. Considerable attention is paid to the decrease in soil fertility as a result of acid precipitation, which leads to the leaching of vital plant substances from the soil and ultimately causes forest degradation. The article, due to acid precipitation and disruption of the natural cycle of substances, also analyzes the harmful effects of acidified precipitation on the biocenoses of closed water bodies (flora, fauna). It is emphasized that the disturbance caused by acid rain, having a negative impact, spreads to various abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. The purpose of the article is to analyze the study of the origin and negative consequences of acid rain, as well as to evaluate efforts to combat the negative impact of acid rain on the environment. Keywords: acid rain, forests, plants, soils, consequences.

Response of Soil Respiration to Simulated Acid Rain with Different Ratios of SO42− to NO3− in Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. and Michelia macclurei Dandy Plantations

Acid rain is one of the most serious environmental issues in Southern China. The composition of acid rain has gradually changed from sulfuric acid rain (SAR) to nitric acid rain (NAR) due to the rapid development of industry, and controls on SO2 emissions. However, a comprehensive understanding of how changes in the type of acid rain affect soil respiration (Rs) in forest ecosystems is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the influence of simulated acid rain with different SO42−/NO3− ratios, namely, SAR (4:1), MAR (mixed acid rain, 1:1), and NAR (1:4), on Rs in Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. (CL) and Michelia macclurei Dandy (MM) plantations from 2019 to 2020. A trenching method was used to partition Rs into heterotrophic respiration (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra). The results showed that acid rain did not significantly influence Rs in the two plantations, which could be mainly attributed to the unchanged soil pH. Neither SAR, MAR, nor NAR affected Ra in the two plantations, possibly due to the unchanged root biomass. The SAR treatment only significantly increased Rh in the MM plantation, not in the CL plantation. The temperature sensitivity (Q10) of Rs and its components was not significantly different among different acid rain types in either of the plantations. Our results suggest that the impact of acid rain on Rs and its components depends on the forest ecosystem and the type of acid rain. Different biological processes complicate the response of soil CO2 emissions to acid rain pollution.

EFFICIENCY OF CREATIVE THINKING ABILITY IN AUGMENTED REALITY-BASED LEARNING MEDIA THE ACID RAIN THEME

This research was conducted due to the lack of students' awareness of the phenomenon of acid rain. The phenomenon of acid rain can be harmful to health and ecosystems. Whereas acid rain can be prevented by increasing the awareness of students through improving the quality of education, especially the ability to think creatively which is expected to help find solutions to minimize the impact of acid rain. However, students in Indonesia have a low quality of education which causes students' creative thinking skills to be low. This study aims to determine the efficiency of Augmented Reality-based learning media in the development of creative thinking skills of seventh grade students on the theme of Acid Rain. Augmented Reality-based learning media is a technology that combines 2D and 3D virtual objects from interactive applications, thus helping in growing students' creative thinking skills. The research method used is Research and Development (R&D) according to Thiagarajan (1974) which was adapted based on the 4-D model. This model consists of 4 stages of development, namely define, design, develop, and disseminate. But the research is limited to the develop stage, because this research only focuses on the efficiency level of the Augmented Reality-based learning media developed. The results of the study based on the efficiency test of learning media based on Augmented Reality with the theme of acid rain for class VII SMP obtained an average value of 88.54% in the very efficient category. Keywords: Learning Media Based on Augmented Reality, Acid Rain, Creative Thinking Ability .

Sulphur and particulate matter affecting on soil and underground plants

Environmental problems were faced, and one of them is the accumulation of Sulphur and its compounds in the atmosphere and through the atmosphere, it accumulates in the soil and then the underground plants. In the atmosphere Sulphur it is present in the form of aerosols and acid precipitation. Volatile Sulphur compounds are released by the combustion of fossil fuels and volcanic eruption also produces Sulphur oxides. Deficiency of Sulphur produces paling of plants and denaturing of some enzymes that are then fulfilled by using the fertilizers of Sulphur. Soil also has an adverse effect when particulate matter or Sulphur aggregates in the plants and their physiological and biological development is retarded. Most of the industrial processes contain Sulphur compounds like thiol, thiophene, oxides of Sulphur etc. Structural and chemical mutation occurs when particulate substances induce into the plants and productivity and efficiency of that plant is reduced. The impact of acid rain in places with high quantities of mixed air pollutants has yet to be determined. Acid inputs appear to be affecting several techniques in field soils. These must be measured in terms of plant output. SO2 enters the leaves via stomata and quickly dissolves in Apoplastic water, producing mostly Sulphite (SO3)-2, bisulphite (HSO-3), and H+ ions. SO2 phytotoxicity has been attributed to Sulphite and bisulphite ion interactions with different chemicals. If the quantities are not too high, most leaves can detoxify Sulphite and bisulphite by oxidizing them to less harmful Sulphate ions via a series of processes. SO2 absorbed by foliage may undergo reduction conversion, including absorption into organic Sulphur compounds and release from the leaves as H2S. The oxidizing or reducing route of SO2 in plants is determined by plant species, soil Sulphur content, SO2 amount and persistence, and plant growth conditions.

The robust superhydrophobic SiO2/Diatomite/PDMS/KH-570/Me-MQ composite coating for self-cleaning application of building surface

A kind of SiO2/Diatomite/PDMS/KH-570/Me-MQ composite superhydrophobic self-cleaning building coating material was successfully synthesised at room temperature. Without any subsequent heat treatment process, the coating can be prepared by spraying or brushing on smooth internal wall and rough external wall of building with a water contact angle (WCA) larger than 160° and a sliding angle (SA) less than 1.5°. The coating can maintain excellent superhydrophobic and self-cleaning properties after various tests including sand impact, sandpaper abrasion, acid/alkali solution immersion, water impact and outdoor weatherability test. Moreover, after 0.5 h impact by pH 4 methyl blue solution, the superhydrophobic performance of the coating still keep excellent and indicates that the coating can withstand a certain degree of acid rain impact. Futhermore, the coating also can be brushed or sprayed on various smooth, rough, hard or soft substrates, and they all can exhibit excellent superhydrophobic performance. It is reasonable to believe that such superhydrophobic coating material has a good practical application potential in building self-cleaning and antifouling.

A century of change: Reconstructing the biogeochemical history of Hubbard Brook

AbstractEcosystems constantly adjust to altered biogeochemical inputs, changes in vegetation and climate, and previous physical disturbances. Such disturbances create overlapping ‘biogeochemical legacies’ affecting modern nutrient mass balances. To understand how ‘legacies’ affected watershed‐ecosystem (WEC) biogeochemistry during five decades of studies within the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), we extended biogeochemical trends and hydrologic fluxes back to 1900 to provide an historical framework for our long‐term studies. This reconstruction showed acid rain peaking at HBEF in the late 1960s‐early 1970s near the beginning of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study (HBES). The long‐term, parabolic arc in acid inputs to HBEF generated a corresponding arc in the ionic strength of stream water, with acid inputs generating increased losses of H+ and soil base cations between 1963 and 1969 and then decreased losses after 1970. Nitrate release after disturbance is coupled with previous N‐deposition and storage, biological uptake, and hydrology. Sulfur was stored in soils from decades of acid deposition but is now nearly depleted. Total exports of base cations from the soil exchange pool represent one of the largest disturbances to forest and associated aquatic ecosystems at the HBEF since the Pleistocene glaciation. Because precipitation inputs of base cations currently are extremely small, such losses can only be replaced through the slow process of mineral weathering. Thus, the chemistry of stream water is extremely dilute and likely to become even more dilute than pre‐Industrial Revolution estimates. The importance of calculating chemical fluxes is clearly demonstrated in reconstruction of acid rain impacts during the pre‐measurement period. The aggregate impact of acid rain on WEC exports is far larger than historical forest harvest effects, and even larger than the most severe deforestation experiment (Watershed 2) at HBEF. A century of acid rain had a calcium stripping impact equivalent to two W2 experiments involving complete deforestation and herbicide applications.

Simulated acid rain impact on growth, yield and leaf anatomy of Dioscorea rotundata (L.)

Abstract. Acid rain causes damage to crops and also has adverse effect on the soil and the environment. These have led to the abandonment of farmlands in affected areas. Southern Nigeria which is known for yam cultivation is subjected to acid rain resulting from gas flaring activities, importation of fairly used vehicles, power generation and industrial activities. The growth, yield and leaf anatomy response of Dioscorea rotundata (L.) exposed to simulated acid rain (SAR) of pH 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 6.0 (control) was investigated. Acid rain exposure caused morphological changes in plants including chlorosis, necrosis, and leaf folding. Acidic precipitation inhibited vine length, leaf number, chlorophyll content index and leaf area at pH 2.0; while growth was encouraged at pH 6.0. 22% of leaf surface area of D. rotundata L, was injured after simulated acid rain treatment at pH 2.0 while necrosis was absent at the (control) pH 6.0. Harvest index of D. rotundata was not significantly different (p>0.05) between the pH treatment groups; however, was slightly higher at the (control) pH 6.0. Percentage dry matter partitioning of D. rotundata leaf and stem was not affected by the acid rain exposure; nevertheless, maximum percentage dry matter of tuber was obtained at pH 4.0 and pH 6.0. Transverse sections of D. rotundata leaves showed cuticle wax damage and rupture of epidermis at lower pH 2.0 and 3.0. Mesophyll degradation and cytoplasm depletion was also observed in the treated leaves. The plant leaves revealed dark tissues in necrotic areas which may be phenolic compounds secretion. However, it became clear that significant increases in the growth parameters considered occurred at pH 6.0 (control).

Acid rain: an unsuspected factor predisposing Panzhihua airport landslide, China.

Understanding the effect of acid rain to landslides is crucial for a better landslide risk assessment. This work aims to reveal the unsuspected but key role of acid rain in Panzhihua airport landslide, China. Firstly, we propose a hypothesis that acid rain may aggravate the slaking behavior of mudstone at weak interlayer and make it more fragmented, eventually further reducing its shear strength and predisposing the Panzhihua airport landslide. Subsequently, mudstone samples are subjected to slaking durability test, respectively, using water with a pH of 7 and two dilute hydrochloric acid solution with pH of 5 and 3. Slaking durability index (Idn) is adopted aiming to quantitatively evaluate the impact of acid rain on the slaking. Moreover, the mechanisms of acid rain affecting the slaking behavior of mudstone are revealed by (1) analyzing cation compositions changes in different pH slaking fluid and (2) observing micro-structure change of mudstone-chip before and after acid rain treatment. Finally, three works are conducted as evidences to prove that acid rain indeed plays a key role in the occurrence of Panzhihua airport landslide, including (1) analysis of the link between the slaking behavior of mudstone and its shear strength, (2) comparison of cations between spring water at the edge of the toe of landslide and acid rain, and (3) comparison of mineral contents of mudstone samples collected from different locations. These findings have implications for comprehensively analyzing the formation mechanism of landslide in acid rain area (such as Europe, North America, and China).

Impacts of acid rain on environment

Impacts of acid rain on environment