What is acid rain

1. rainfall made so acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm,

chiefly to forests and lakes. The main cause is the industrial burning of coal and other
fossil fuels, the waste gases from which contain sulphur and nitrogen oxides which
combine with atmospheric water to form acids.
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2. what pollouants cause it

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.

Human activities are the main cause of acid rain. Over the past few decades, humans have released so
many different chemicals into the air that they have changed the mix of gases in the atmosphere. Power
plants release the majority of sulfur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels,
such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, theexhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen
oxides and sulfur dioxide into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain.

Acid Rain is Caused by Reactions in the Environment

Nature depends on balance, and although some rain is naturally acidic, with a pH level of around 5.0,
human activities have made it worse. Normalprecipitationsuch as rain, sleet, or snowreacts with alkaline
chemicals, or non-acidic materials, that can be found in air, soils, bedrock, lakes, and streams. These
reactions usually neutralize natural acids. However, if precipitation becomes too acidic, these materials may
not be able to neutralize all of the acids. Over time, these neutralizing materials can be washed away by
acid rain. Damage to crops, trees, lakes, rivers, and animals can result.
http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/education/site_students/whatcauses.html

3. How can it be prevented or controlled

There are several ways to reduce acid rainmore properly called acid depositionranging from
societal changes to individual action. It is critical that acid deposition be reduced, not only in the
United States and Canada, but also throughout the world to preserve the integrity of natural habitats,
as well as to reduce damage to man-made structures.

EPA has taken steps to limit the amount of NOx and SO2 emitted into the atmosphere because they
are the main contributors to acid deposition (for more information, see EPAs Acid Rain Program)

http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/reducing/
4. Harmful effects of acid rain
Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams and contributes to the damage of trees at
high elevations (for example, red spruce trees above 2,000 feet) and many sensitive forest
soils. In addition, acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials and paints, including
irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage.
Prior to falling to the earth, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) gases and their
 particulate matter derivativessulfates and nitratescontribute to visibility degradation and
harm public health. http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/effects/
5. Benefits of acid rAIN

6. Acid rain is formed by both human and natural actions. Industrial emissions are a major source of gases
that cause acid rain, but volcanic eruptions are also a source of these gases. The gases are mainly sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides. When these contact moisture in the atmosphere, various acids are formed.
Acid rain is primarily thought to have damaging effects on the environment, however it may also have a
beneficial effect by slowing global warming, particularly via wetland processes.
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