What causes acid rain and how does it affect soil, plants, aquatic ecosystems, and humans?
1 Answer
The main cause of acid rain is the burning of fossil fuels containing sulfur compounds. Strong concentrations of acid are harmful to living systems.
Explanation:
When coal or petroleum products containing sulfur are burned anhydrous sulfur compounds are formed. These anhydrous sulfur compounds mix with water in the atmosphere forming acid rain.
Sulfur dioxide with water makes sulfurous acid the equation is written below.
Sulfurous acid is a very strong acid. The marble statues are destroyed by the acid. Soils with a high concentration of acid become sterile unable to support plant life. If the water becomes overly acidic due to acid rain, plant life and fish can not survive.
Humans have suffered eye damage from acid rain.
See these related Socratic questions for more information:
Why does acid rain have a bad effect on plant growth?,
how can acid rain play a role in weathering?,
why is acid rain harmful?,
and what is acid rain and how does this affect the environment?.
