The term acid rain refers
to the fall of acids mixed with rain and snow. The main cause of acid rain is the
gases emitted by the factories and motor vehicles which pollute the atmosphere.
Mainly sulphur dioxide is responsible for acid rain which is produced in the
burning of fossil fuels. This gas is also produced by natural phenomena like
volcanic corruptions; forests fires etc. sulphur dioxide reacts with water vapor
and forms sulphuric acid in the presence of sunlight. This acid gets mixed with
rain water or snow flakes and fall on to the earth. Similarly, motor vehicles
burn petrol and diesel and produce oxides of nitrogen. These oxides produce
nitric acid with rain water. In 1872, Robert Angus smith was the first person
to discover acid rain.
Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water vapor in the atmosphere to create sulfuric and nitric acids
Acid Rain has reduced the sparkle of the Taj Mahal
The acid rain may occur thousand of kilometer away from
the source of gas emission. During the gulf war many oilfield caught fire and
the smoke produced was so much that it reached even up to the Kashmir
valley and turned the snow into black. Acid rain badly affects the marine life.
The reproduction capability of fish gets reduced. Trees defoliate before time
and the crops having edible roots get destroyed. The Taj Mahal at Agra and New
York’s statue of liberty has lost their luster due to
acid rain. Water lily plants get most affected by acid rain.
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