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Acid Rain
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide 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 an acidic pollutant known as acid rain. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in water and can be carried very far by the wind. As a result, the two compounds can travel long distances where they become part of the rain, sleet, snow, and fog that we sometimes experience.
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 sulphur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxide when they burn fossil fuels to produce electricity.
Acid rain can damage a many structures and organisms in many different ways. * Acid rain that seeps into the ground can dissolve nutrients, such as magnesium and calcium, that trees need to be healthy * Acid rain also causes aluminium to be released into the soil, which makes it difficult for trees to take up water * Aluminium that is released into the soil eventually ends up in lakes and streams. Unfortunately, this increase in acidity and aluminium levels can be deadly to aquatic wildlife * The chemicals found in acid rain can cause paint to peel and stone statues to begin to appear old and worn down, which reduces their value and beauty.
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