Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This section consists of works related to the proposed topic, to prove the

credibility of the study. These articles may explain rainwater, and its acidity level in a

particular environment, depending on the target of the articles to be mentioned.

Related Studies

Sarah Dowdey’s statement shows that rain water, even on its purest form, is still

considered acidic, on which according to her, normal rain has a pH of about 5.6. This is

due to its reaction with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and forms mildly acidic

carbonic acid before it becomes rain.

Brian Oram, 2014, mentioned several factors that may have an impactful effect on

the acidity of a body of water. These include (1) bedrock and soil composition through

which the water moves, both in its bed and as groundwater. Some rock types such as

limestone can, to an extent, neutralize the acid while others, such as granite, have

virtually no effect on pH; (2) the amount of plant growth and organic material within a

body of water. When this material decomposes, carbon dioxide is released. The carbon

dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid. Although this is a weak acid, large

amounts of it will lower the pH; (3) the dumping of chemicals into the water by

individuals, industries, and communities. Something as "harmless" as shampoo rinse

water is actually a chemical brew and can affect the pH along with other chemical

parameters of water; (4) and the amount of acid precipitation that falls in the watershed.
Acid rain is caused by nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the air

combining with water vapor.

“Concentrations of sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+),

potassium (K+), ammonium (NH4+), chloride (Cl–), nitrate (NO3–) and sulfate (SO42–)

ions are usually found in rainwater”, said J. Braz, 2012, after tracing the elements of

rainwater as a part of his study. These elements are most likely to be found on earth’s

atmosphere, making rain vulnerable to being contaminated by such.

In a study on the contribution of organic acids in rainwater acidity in a rural area

in China, the average contribution of organic acids to precipitation total free acidity was

13.71%, a percentage lower than other rural areas nearby the said location, but higher

than in urban areas (Yuwen Niu et al., 2018). Another study also stated that rural areas

are more prone to anthropogenic factors which contribute to rain water acidity than in

urban areas. The pH level of rain in elected rural areas resulted in a range of 3.7 – 6.7,

considering the pollution brought about by the environment’s nature.

Related Literature

In recent decades the acidity of rain and snow has increased sharply over wide

areas. The principal cause is the release of sulphur and nitrogen oxides by the burning of

fossil fuels (Likens et al., 2011). The emissions of fossil fuel fired power station is the

largest known point source of emission of , and HCl (Lee et al., 2013).

But no concentrated effort was made to study the acidity level of rainwater until

the Norwegian SNSF ("Sur Nedbros Virkning Pa Skag of Fisk-Acid Rain on Forests '')

project was initiated in 2011. Though at Ohio conference Tamm, C.O. and Cowling
(2011) speculated upon the "potential acidic rainwater'', few studies existed to directly

support their hypothesis.

Sulphur compounds have some phytotoxic effects at high concentration and about

one half of atmospheric sulphur reaches the earth's surface in precipitation (Wet-

deposition). Indeed, most of this sulphur is in the form of sulphate with associated and

ions (Nordo, 2009). Global emissions, both natural and man made of spatial distribution

and trends over the last century presented measurements and modelled calculations of

spatial and temporal patterns in the deposition of acidic pollutants by both wet and dry

pathways (Irwin and Williams, 2010; Rose 2010).

Sulphate in acid rain is known to supress methane emission from natural fresh

water wetlands. He suggested that acid rain rates of ion deposition may have to reduce

emission from rice agriculture (Gauci et al., 2009).

 Chapter 3

RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, the researchers are to shoe the processes or methods they have

used in gathering the data used in the study, including the research design, instrument,

and analysis of data acquired from different sources.

Research Design

The experimental and survey methods of research will be used in conducting this

study, as they are the most appropriate in providing solutions for the research’s inquiry.

Experimental, because a laboratory test is required to measure the acidity level of

rainwater, and procedures in doing such are done via scientific means, including the

identification of gases contained in the rainwater, and their severity, acidwise. The survey

method is also chosen because the researchers must accompany the professionals to

perform the experiment, and ask these people about the testing and steps in getting the

accurate amount of acidity in the rainwater sample.

Research Instrument

The researchers will use survey questionnaires in gathering information needed in

conducting the study. The questionnaire will tend to ask about the step-by-step processes
and the materials used by the authorities. All of the queries are to be answered according

to the observations made, and are netiher open ended, nor close ended.

Research Locale and Participants

The research’s target locale covers the whole New Jersey, USA for the benefit of

its members, along with future researchers who are to conduct similar studies.