What
causes acid rain?
Acid rain
is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Burning oil, gas and
coal in power stations releases Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) into the
atmosphere. Burning oil and petrol in motor vehicles puts nitrogen
oxides (NOX) into the atmosphere.
These gases
mix with water droplets in the atmosphere creating weak solutions
of nitric and sulphuric acids. When precipitation occurs these
solutions fall as acid rain.
What
problems are caused by acid rain?
Acid rain
increases the acidity levels of rivers, lakes and seas. This can
kill aquatic life.
Acid rain
increases the acidity levels of soils. This can kill vegetation.
Acid rain
has been found to destroy the roots and leaves of forests in Germany
and Scandinavia have been destroyed as the result of acid rain
emissions from the UK.
Acid rain
can erode buildings and monuments (particularly if they are made
from limestone).
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