Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground.

Acetic aicd is not present in acid rain.

Present in acid rain is CH3COOH.

Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like 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.

The ecological effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in aquatic environments, such as streams, lakes, and marshes where it can be harmful to fish and other wildlife. As it flows through the soil, acidic rain water can leach aluminum from soil clay particles and then flow into streams and lakes.

Acid rain includes all types of precipitation with acidic content with a pH value of less than 7. Acid rain is referred to as an international problem because the emission of pollutants does not equally deposit in that country. Many countries emit a very small amount of pollutants and deposition can be greater.

The precursors, or chemical forerunners, of acid rain formation result from both natural sources, such as volcanoes and decaying vegetation, and man-made sources, primarily emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) resulting from fossil fuel combustion.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released into the air by fossil-fuel power plants, vehicles and oil refineries are the biggest cause of acid rain today, according to the EPA. Two thirds of sulfur dioxide and one fourth of nitrogen oxide found in the atmosphere come from electric power generators.

4.0

The source of most sulfur dioxide is high-sulfur coal burned in power plants. Controlling this source of sulfur dioxide production can have a major impact on acid rain in Pennsylvania and other regions of the Northeast. Unfortunately, only 30 percent of the nitrogen oxides causing acid rain come from power production.

Pennsylvania

It can also occur in the form of snow, fog, and tiny bits of dry material that settle to Earth. Normal rain is slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.6, while acid rain generally has a pH between 4.2 and 4.4.

Carbon monoxide does not react with water to form an acid. So, it would not contribute to acid rain. The last one is carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form carbonic acid thus contributing to acid rain.

1950s

Australia has not experienced the problems caused by acid rain in other countries around the world. Other particles in the atmosphere such as pollutants can lower the acidity level of rain so that it falls below the generally acceptable level of between 5 and 6—and then the rainwater is referred to as acid rain.

Tasmania