Tag: air pollution and its effects

Acid rain refers to the precipitation with a pH of less than 5. It is a mixture of H$ _2$SO$ _4$ and HNO$ _3$, the ratio of the two acids vary depending on the relative quantities of sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides present in the atmosphere. These oxides are mainly produced by combustion of fossil fuels, smelters, industries, power plants, automobile exhausts etc. SO$ _2$ and NO when present in large quantities dissolved in water vapour form sulphuric acid and nitric acid which dissolve in rain water resulting in acid rain (H$ _2$SO$ _4$ ) and (HNO$ _3$) which in turn causes great damage to forests and vegetation.

The oxides in the atmosphere can react with the water to form respective acids. Generally, the non-metal oxides such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide react with water to form sulphuric and nitric acid. These acids along with rain water fall on earth as acid rain.

Acid rain is a rain that is acidic, meaning it has very low pH. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air, they react with water and oxygen and produces sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids then mix with water and result in acid rain. Normal rain water is slightly acidic with a pH range of 5-6. When the pH level of rain water falls below this range, it becomes acid rain. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure. 

Sulfur dioxide (SO$ _2$) and nitrogen oxides (NO$ _2$) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by the wind and air currents. The SO$ _2$ and NO$ _2$ 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 in the form of acid rain. When this acid deposits on land or water it results in acidity harming organisms. It also causes corrosion of building materials and paints. Thus the correct answer is option D.

Acid rain is a mixture of wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere containing higher than normal amounts of nitric and sulfuric acids. 

Sulfur dioxide emitted by factories near the monument and exhaust from trucks and buses are slowly corroding the Taj Mahal's soft marble. SO$ _2$ produces sulfurous and sulfuric acids with water. Sulfuric acid reacts with marble to produce calcium sulphate which is soluble in water hence marble dissolves and erodes. 

Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it possesses elevated levels of hydrogen ions with pH of less than 5. It is due to the excess of SO$ _2$and NO$ _2$ in the air which along with water form sulphurous and nitric acid. It can have harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure. Taj Mahal loss of whitening is because of Acid rain.

Acid Rain is 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.

All of the given gases are present in acid rain. Many gases from the industrial effluents and burning of fuels in automobiles led to the release of these harmful gases in the air. These get mixed with rain and form the harmful acid rain.

Acid rain is the result of increased sulphur and nitrogen oxide levels in the atmosphere. When nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide reacts with water, oxygen and other chemicals forms nitric acid and sulfuric acid which then mix with rainwater and causes acid rain. Thus, the correct answer is option E.