KnowledgeBoat Logo

Chemistry

What is the cause of acid rain? Give any two impacts of acid rain.

Pollution

6 Likes

Answer

Fossil fuels contain compounds of nitrogen and sulphur in addition to carbon. Due to combustion of these fuels, large amounts of sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon dioxide get discharged into the atmosphere. These oxides dissolve in rainwater to form mineral acids causing acid rain.

Two impacts of acid rain are :

  1. Acid rain affects soil chemistry. It removes calcium and potassium, both the basic ingredients of soil, thus making it lose its fertility, which ultimately damages forests. Acid rain causes nutrient loss from plants thus damaging their leaves.
  2. The water of lakes and rivers is gradually becoming acidic due to acid rain, which is affecting aquatic life.

Answered By

3 Likes


Related Questions