NAME:

CANDIDATE NUMBER:
CENTRE NUMBER: 010419
SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY
TOPIC : The Effects of Acid Rain on Buildings and
Agriculture in Zimbabwe
Stage 1: Problem Identification

Problem Description
Acid rain is a serious environmental issue affecting both urban
and rural areas in Zimbabwe. It forms when industrial emissions
like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) mix with
moisture in the atmosphere to produce acidic precipitation. This
rain damages buildings—especially those made from limestone
and marble—and negatively affects crops and soil fertility.
Communities near industrial areas such as Harare South and
Kwekwe are increasingly witnessing its impact.
Statement of Intent
This project seeks to investigate how acid rain is formed, its
chemical effects on infrastructure and crops, and to explore both
traditional and modern solutions for minimizing its damage.
Design Specifications
The project will:
 Examine the chemical causes of acid rain and reactions
involved.
 Identify 3 existing solutions to reduce or control acid rain
effects.
 Propose 3 new or creative solutions that could be
introduced locally.
  Conduct a simple experiment to demonstrate acid rain’s
effect on materials (e.g., marble, plant leaves).
 Use data collection from communities near industrial sites
through interviews and observations.
 Create graphs and tables to illustrate pH levels, rainfall
acidity, and crop yield comparisons.
 Develop a step-by-step implementation plan for the
chosen solution.
 Evaluate with 15 successes, 15 challenges, and 15
recommendations.
 Provide visuals such as diagrams, charts, and photos for
clearer understanding.

✅ Stage 2: Investigation of Related Ideas

Here are 3 existing solutions to reduce or control the effects of
acid rain:
1. Installing scrubbers in factory chimneys
Explanation: Scrubbers are chemical filters that remove sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides from exhaust gases before they are
released into the air.
 ✅ Advantages:
 Reduces SO₂ emissions significantly
1. Protects buildings from long-term damage
2. Improves air quality
3. Enhances worker safety in factories
4. Reduces respiratory problems in nearby residents
5. Complies with environmental laws
6. Can be adapted to different industries
  ❌ Disadvantages:
1. High cost of installation
2. Requires regular maintenance
3. May not capture 100% of pollutants
4. Generates chemical waste
5. Needs trained personnel
6. Can reduce energy efficiency
7. Difficult to implement in small industries

2. Using renewable energy (solar, wind)

Explanation: Renewable energy sources reduce the need for fossil
fuels, lowering sulfur and nitrogen emissions.
 ✅ Advantages:
1. Eco-friendly and sustainable
2. Reduces acid rain indirectly
3. Long-term cost savings
4. Safe for the environment
5. Creates new job opportunities
6. Can be implemented at household level
7. Low maintenance
 ❌ Disadvantages:
1. High initial cost
2. Requires large space (for solar farms, wind turbines)
3. Not always reliable (cloudy or windless days)
4. Technological challenges
5. Limited awareness in rural areas
 6. Storage issues (batteries)
7. Dependency on weather conditions

3. Government policy enforcement

Explanation: Government can implement laws that limit emissions
and fine polluting industries.
 ✅ Advantages:
1. Encourages compliance
2. Protects the environment
3. Reduces acid rain over time
4. Promotes clean technologies
5. Holds polluters accountable
6. Encourages innovation
7. Benefits public health
 ❌ Disadvantages:
1. Corruption may hinder enforcement
2. Costly to monitor and police industries
3. Resistance from industry owners
4. Slow implementation
5. Legal loopholes
6. May lead to job losses in polluting sectors
7. Public unawareness of policies

✅ Stage 3: Generation of New Ideas

Here are 3 creative ideas to combat acid rain:
1. Developing acid-neutralizing plant coatings
Explanation: Spray coatings made from basic compounds can
neutralize acid rain on plant leaves and reduce damage.
 ✅ Advantages:
1. Protects crops directly
2. Easy to apply
3. Safe for consumption if organic
4. Can improve crop yields
5. Can be customized for different crops
6. Promotes agricultural resilience
7. Low cost
 ❌ Disadvantages:
1. Needs frequent reapplication
2. May wash off during rainfall
3. Research is still ongoing
4. Could affect taste or texture of food
5. Some farmers may resist change
6. Application equipment may be needed
7. May have unknown side effects

2. Community tree planting with alkaline soil amendments

Explanation: Trees absorb pollutants and alkaline soils (lime) can
buffer acid effects.
 ✅ Advantages:
 Improves air and soil quality
 Prevents soil erosion
 Supports biodiversity
  Involves the whole community
 Low cost and sustainable
 Helps educate the public
 Promotes environmental stewardship
 ❌ Disadvantages:
 Takes time to see results
 Needs land and water
 May face land-use conflict
 Limited to rural areas
 Maintenance required
 Livestock may damage seedlings
 Some areas too dry for trees

3. Using mobile acid rain testing kits in schools

Explanation: Students can collect rain samples and test acidity
using kits, raising awareness and tracking patterns.
 ✅ Advantages:
1. Promotes science education
2. Increases awareness
3. Low cost
4. Encourages early detection
5. Can be done in many locations
6. Supports local data collection
7. Fun and interactive
 ❌ Disadvantages:
1. Not a direct solution
 2. Accuracy may be low
3. Kits need to be replaced
4. Teachers need training
5. May need lab support
6. Some schools lack resources
7. Rain sample timing is inconsistent

✅ Stage 4: Choosing One Solution

From all the solutions, the installation of scrubbers in factory
chimneys is the most effective and direct method to reduce acid
rain formation. It tackles the root cause—pollutants—before they
even enter the atmosphere. Although expensive, it offers long-
term benefits for both health and the environment.
Reasons for choice:
 It directly reduces the main chemical cause of acid rain.
 It can be combined with other policies for greater effect.
 It protects both buildings and agriculture simultaneously.
Improvements:
 Introduce subsidies to help smaller industries install
scrubbers.
 Train local technicians to maintain them.
 Combine with public awareness campaigns.
Expected benefits:
 Cleaner air
 Healthier communities
 Less damage to crops and infrastructure
Challenges:
  High cost
 Policy resistance
 Need for technical training

Stage 5: Presentation of Results

Stage 6: Evaluation and Recommendations
Successes
1. Reduction in SO₂ and NOₓ levels
2. Improved air quality
3. Healthier crops
4. Less building corrosion
5. Enhanced public image for factories
6. Community involvement
7. Stronger policy enforcement
8. Skilled local technicians
9. School visits and education
10. Increased awareness
11. Cleaner rainfall
12. Cost savings from reduced damage
 13. Better yields for farmers
14. Positive media attention
15. Foundation for more projects
15 Challenges
1. High costs
2. Resistance from industries
3. Power shortages
4. Lack of enforcement
5. Delays in procurement
6. Corruption risks
7. Technical faults
8. Need for routine maintenance
9. Climate variation
10. Training quality
11. Shortage of local experts
12. Public disinterest
13. Legal loopholes
14. Transport delays
15. Long approval processes
15 Recommendations
1. Offer subsidies
2. Create awareness campaigns
3. Enforce strict pollution laws
4. Promote clean energy
5. Educate communities
6. Encourage public-private partnerships
7. Train school science clubs
8. Regular monitoring
9. Penalties for non-compliance
10. Include acid rain in curriculum
11. Sponsor local research
12. Install weather stations
13. Form community environment groups
14. Publish emissions data
15. Host acid rain awareness days