Man-made Sources Human activities leading to chemical gas emissions such as sulfur and nitrogen are the primary contributors to acid rain. The activities include air pollution sources emitting sulfur and nitrogen gases like factories, power generation facilities, and automobiles.

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.

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.

Natural causes of acid rain are things like volcano emissions, lightning, and microbial processes.

Acid rain also damages forests, especially those at higher elevations. It robs the soil of essential nutrients and releases aluminum in the soil, which makes it hard for trees to take up water. Trees’ leaves and needles are also harmed by acids.

Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. Much greater threat than outdoor air pollution.

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.

what 2 groups of compounds are largely responsible for causing acid rain? Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides compounds.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are the two major acid rain pollutants.

Acid deposition, usually referred to simply as acid rain, actually includes two forms of pollution, wet and dry.

When fossil fuels are burned, they release oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. When the oxides combine with water in the atmosphere, they form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which fall as acid precipitation.

What three forms can acid precipitation take? Rain, sleet, or snow.

Sulfur dioxide & nitrogen dioxide can cause problems such as asthma, dry coughs, headaches, eye, nose, and throat irritations. Acid rain can also damage or irritate our lungs. It can cause liver problems and can give you diarrhea.

Types of primary pollutants include:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Sulfur oxides (SOx)
• Particulate matter (PM)
• Mercury.
• and more.

Top of the POPs: The world’s most dangerous pollutants

• Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Hexochlorobenzene (HCB)
• Hexachlorocyclohexane.
• Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)

Most Common Air Pollutants

• Carbon Monoxide.
• Nitrogen Dioxide (EPA)
• Ozone (EPA)
• Particulate Matter.
• Lead (EPA)
• Sulfur Dioxide.
• Six Common Pollutants (EPA)

Particulate Matter (PM) Sources. Components of particulate matter (PM) include finely divided solids or liquids such as dust, fly ash, soot, smoke, aerosols, fumes, mists and condensing vapors that can be suspended in the air for extended periods of time.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is an air pollutant that is a concern for people’s health when levels in air are high. PM2.5 are tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and cause the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated.

The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. Fine particles (PM2.5) pose the greatest health risk. These fine particles can get deep into lungs and some may even get into the bloodstream. Exposure to these particles can affect a person’s lungs and heart.

Whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and, throat irritation.

Research and commercial applications have indicated that ozone can replace chlorine with more benefits. In 1997, ozone was self-affirmed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) as a disinfectant for foods by an independent panel of experts sponsored by EPRI (Graham, 1997).