Acid rain is an effect of pollution. It is acidic rain that damages plants, animals that live in the water and as well the infrastructure. For reducing acid rain, there is a need to lower the sulfur dioxide that is produced by different sources. The “rain” can occur also as cloud water, dew, fog, sleet or snow. As well, it is able to appear as acidifying particles and gases. This molecular mixture can peel paint, damage steel structures or bridges and degrade statures made out of stone.
Development
The acidic rain is caused by three chemical elements (carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides), which react with water in the atmosphere. Acid rain will be the result. Carbonic acid is formed as follows:
H2O + CO2 → H2CO3
This carbonic acid (H2CO3) is as well able to form in conjunction with water hydronium and carbonate ions:
H2O + H2CO3 → HCO3⁻ + H3O⁺
Natural phenomena
As well, there are natural phenomena that produce gases that then again produce acid rain. An example is the emission of a volcano. The gasses are also produced by biological processes on the land and in the oceans.
Human activity
Human beings are the main reason for producing air pollution. Transportation, for example, is one of the sources that generates air pollution. These mobile sources contain busses, cars or trains. Millions of pollutants are formed every day. The second source is called stationary source. It is located in business and industry. Small sources can be found all around us – at home, around town or on the farm.