The first rains of the season can be acidic, due to the presence of pollutants present in the atmosphere. The toxic gases can combine with the water to form harmful acids, which when fall on our skin and hair can harm them immensely.

Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms. This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.

The extra acidity in rain comes from the reaction of air pollutants, primarily sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, with water in the air to form strong acids (like sulfuric and nitric acid). The main sources of these pollutants are vehicles and industrial and power-generating plants.

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A warmer atmosphere would influence the occurrence and severity of acid rain. Many of the chemical reactions that lead to the formation of acid rain are affected by temperature. Higher temperatures usually accelerate reactions, suggesting that global warming is likely to increase the formation of acidic materials.

It has been shown that acid rain has detrimental effects on trees, freshwaters and soils, destroys insects and aquatic life-forms, causes paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and sculptures, as well as impacts on human health.

Acid rain is precipitation that has unusually high levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). The water droplets are acidic because of atmospheric pollution. It is known to have harmful effects on aquatic animals, plants and infrastructure. The term “acid rain” was coined in 1872 by Robert Angus Smith.

Silicate minerals resist acidic attacks from the atmosphere. Sandstone, another silica material, is also resistant. Stainless steel and aluminum tend to hold up better.

Metallic acid-resistant materials include wrought and cast high-alloy steels; nickel-, copper-, and aluminum-based alloys; and certain pure metals, such as nickel, aluminum, copper, and lead. The use of titanium and its alloys has promising possibilities.

When sulfurous, sulfuric, and nitric acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone, the calcite dissolves. It remains only on protected surfaces that are not directly washed by the rain. …

Causes of acid rain The biggest sources are coal-burning power plants, factories, and automobiles. When humans burn fossil fuels, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the atmosphere.

Acid rain is a form of air pollution. When coal and petroleum are burned in automobiles, electric power plants, and factories, they release certain harmful gases into the air. When the water in the air comes down as rain, sleet, hail, or snow, it carries with it these gases. This is known as acid rain.

The leaves and roots of trees are damaged, making them less able to make food (photosynthesis) and absorb nutrients. Toxic ions released due to acid rain are dangerous to humans. It is believed that copper (mobilized by acids) has caused outbreaks of diarrhea in young children.

To measure the potency of acid rain, scientists test the pH of collected cloud water. The pH tests show how acidic or basic something is. The pH scale rules from 0 to 14. Seven represents levels that are neutral, while lower numbers are more acidic and higher numbers are more basic.