How Does Acid Rain Form In The Atmosphere

Acid rain does significant damage to natural ecosystems and forests particularly in the northeastern united states.

How does acid rain form in the atmosphere. Acid rain is made up of water droplets that are unusually acidic because of atmospheric pollution most notably the excessive amounts of sulfur and nitrogen released by cars and industrial processes. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. Rotting vegetation and erupting volcanoes release some chemicals that can cause acid rain but most acid rain is a product of human activities. Acid rain is a product of the chemical reaction of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that is released with water oxygen and other chemicals into the atmosphere.

The acidity of rainwater comes from the natural presence of three substances co 2 no and so 2 found in the troposphere the lowest layer of 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. The sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain snow fog or hail. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in.

As is seen in table i carbon dioxide co 2 is present in the greatest concentration and therefore contributes the most to the natural acidity of rainwater. Wet deposition is what we most commonly think of as acid rain. Some governments have made efforts since the 1970s to reduce the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere with positive results. The biggest sources are coal burning power plants.

Sources of acid rain acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. Rain can be contaminated by natural sources like volcanoes as well as human activities. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide readily dissolve in water and can be carried several miles by the wind.