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Acidic Deposition

Published: May 31, 2018 | Last updated: July 5, 2023

What Does Acidic Deposition Mean?

Acidic deposition is a phenomenon that occurs when sulfur and nitrogen in the atmosphere combine to form acidic compounds that are deposited on the surface of the earth. These deposits can be either wet or dry, and the sources of these elements can be either natural or man-made.

Acidic deposition is one of the conditions that may be discovered during soil testing prior to trenchless construction operations.

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Trenchlesspedia Explains Acidic Deposition

The formation of acid that results in acid deposition takes place in the atmosphere. Sulphur dioxide, for instance, is oxidized to form sulphuric acid. Acidic deposition can be either wet, in the form of acid rain or acid snow, or dry, as in gases or particulates. Acidic deposition can have a negative effect on the chemistry of the soil.

While natural activities such as volcanic eruptions contribute to the formation of acids in the atmosphere that result in acidic deposition, scientists point to human activities as its main cause. Power plants trigger the process by releasing sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the air.

Soil sampling is an important aspect of trenchless construction projects. The quality of the soil influences the entire operation. Horizontal directional drilling is also being used to collect soil samples.

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