How do acids form in the atmosphere

 ACID RAIN 

Acid rain is rain consisting of water droplets that are unusually acidic because of atmospheric pollution like sulphur and nitrogen released by cars and industrial processes.

Acidic deposition occurs in nature in two ways:

1. Wet deposition is any form of precipitation that removes acids from the atmosphere and deposits them on the Earth’s surface.
2. Dry deposition polluting particles and gases stick to the ground via dust and smoke in the absence of precipitation. This form of deposition is dangerous, however, because precipitation can eventually wash pollutants into streams, lakes, and rivers

Cause and Chemistry 

Acid deposition can occur naturally, as from volcanoes, but it is mainly caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides during fossil fuel combustion. When these gases are discharged into the atmosphere, they react with the water, oxygen, and other gases already present there to form sulphuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid.

 Effect of Acid Rain  

1. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides cause respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis. 
2. Tiny Particles cause difficulty in breathing for humans and animals & also lead to permanent lung damage.
3. Acid Rain dissolves the nutrients and useful minerals the tree needs to grow. It weakens the process of photosynthesis.
4. Acid Rain leaches potassium, calcium, magnesium, etc., essential elements from the top of the soil
5. Acid Rain increases the acidity of lakes & rivers, which directly affects the aquatic ecosystem.
6. Acid rain effects TAJ MAHAL 

• White starts to go yellow
• Precious and semi-precious stones of the Tajmahal weathered away due to acid rain.
• The sulfuric and nitric acids in the rain cause the calcite to dissolve and form gypsum. Gypsum causes the affected stone to turn black, and when it falls off, it reveals crumbling stone.

Acid rain is slowly destroying our planet. It is our responsibility to protect the earth for future generations to enjoy. We should stop polluting.

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