What nutrient is responsible for acid rain?

Acid rain is caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. Low pH. Trees killed by acid rain. The biggest sources of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are coal-fired power plants.

Which two classes are ultimately responsible for acid rain?

acid rain, also called acid rain or acid deposition, precipitation with a pH of about 5.2 or below, produced primarily from the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx; the combination of NO and NO2) from human activities, for mostly combustion of fossil fuels.

What are the main sources of acid rain?

Sources of acid rain. Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

How does acid rain move through the atmosphere?

These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in water and can be transported very far by the wind. As a result, the two connections can travel long distances…

How are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides related to acid rain?

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in water and can be transported very far by the wind. As a result, the two compounds can travel long distances, becoming part of the rain, sleet, snow and fog that we experience on certain days. Human activities are the main cause of acid rain.

Why is acid rain bad for the environment?

In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks and buses releases nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain. Nature depends on balance, and although some rain is naturally acidic, with a pH level of around 5.0, human activities have made it worse.