For example, if a lot of cars were driving on the road during winter or rain, you see smoke coming from the exhaust pipes of the cars. This smoke plays a major factor in causing acid rains. The remaining seventy-five percent of the acidity of rain is caused by the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in the rain water. Sulfuric acid can be seen naturally emitting in small amounts from biological decaying organisms and from volcanic eruptions. But once again, human factors can have a drastic effect on the environment and the creation of acid rain, such as combustion of fossil fuels by power plants. When we burn fossil fuels, sulfur is released and combined with oxygen in the air to form sulfur dioxide (SO2). This sulfur dioxide, similar to nitric oxide, will combine with oxygen to form sulfur trioxide (SO3). The sulfur trioxide will combine with water to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The nitric acid or sulfuric acid are just contributors to acid rain. When either of these two dissolve in water, they can split up into hydrogen ions (H+) and their basic ions. It is the accumulations of hydrogen ions that eventually cause the drastic reduction in pH levels in the rain, therefore forming acid rain.
Biological Effects of Acid Rain .
Normal people eat less acidic foods, such as lemons and oranges. But acid rain is not just any rain, it the lowest of all acids founds. It is so powerful that it can cause health problems in humans and the environment they live in. Humans are always in direct exposure to any changes in weather. Due to particles of sulfur that can enter through the nose or mouth and enter the lungs, it cause various respiratory diseases, such as asthma or chronic bronchitis. Sulfur deposits in the lung can generally cause TB, if acid rain is not involved. When you look at the effects of nitrogen oxides, you can see that it causes diseases such as pneumonia and bronchitis, if one is exposed to the ozone caused by the particles.
