Final answer:
Acid rain is caused by air pollution, specifically the emission of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. This phenomenon can have detrimental effects on soil, plants, animals, and infrastructure. Strategies to address acid rain include reducing emissions and implementing technological solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acid Rain and Pollution
Acid rain is caused by air pollution, specifically the emission of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. These pollutants react with water vapor, oxygen, and other chemicals in the air to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which then fall to the Earth as acid rain. This phenomenon can have detrimental effects on soil, plants, animals, and even infrastructure.
For example, when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released from industrial processes or the burning of fossil fuels, they combine with atmospheric moisture to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The acid rain that results can leach nutrients from soil, making it difficult for plants to thrive. It can also contaminate bodies of water, harming aquatic organisms and disrupting ecosystems.
In order to tackle the issue of acid rain, strategies such as reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, implementing scrubbers in industrial plants, and using alternative energy sources can be employed.
Learn more about Causes and effects of acid rain