Acid rain is caused primarily by the release of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) into the atmosphere. These gases are emitted mainly from human activities such as burning fossil fuels in power plants, vehicles, and industrial processes. Once in the atmosphere, SO₂ and NOₓ react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which then mix with precipitation like rain, snow, or fog, resulting in acid rain
. Natural sources like volcanic eruptions and rotting vegetation also emit these gases, but the majority of acid rain is due to human activities
. The acidic precipitation can travel long distances carried by wind, causing environmental damage far from the original pollution source
. In summary, acid rain is caused by:
- Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) in power generation, vehicles, and industry.
- These gases chemically react in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
- The acids mix with precipitation, falling as acid rain, snow, or fog, which harms ecosystems, soils, water bodies, and living organisms
