Acid rain is a rain or form of precipitation with elevated levels of hydrogen ions.
Acid rain includes:
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) → forms Sulfuric acid (strong)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) → forms nitric acid (strong)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) → forms carbonic acid (weak)
In the United States, roughly 2/3 of all Sulfur dioxide and 1/4 of all nitrogen dioxides come from the burning of fossil fuels like coal. Acid rain is formed when these gasses react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acidic compounds. Acid rain has many ecological effects. Acid rain makes bodies of water (lakes, streams, wetlands) acidic and causes them to absorb aluminum from the soil. Acid rain also damages trees at high elevations. Acid rain can also accelerates the decay of building materials and paints.
Acid rain includes:
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) → forms Sulfuric acid (strong)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) → forms nitric acid (strong)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) → forms carbonic acid (weak)
In the United States, roughly 2/3 of all Sulfur dioxide and 1/4 of all nitrogen dioxides come from the burning of fossil fuels like coal. Acid rain is formed when these gasses react in the atmosphere with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acidic compounds. Acid rain has many ecological effects. Acid rain makes bodies of water (lakes, streams, wetlands) acidic and causes them to absorb aluminum from the soil. Acid rain also damages trees at high elevations. Acid rain can also accelerates the decay of building materials and paints.