Final answer:
Acid precipitation, or acid rain, can be caused by pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of fossil fuels, ozone emissions from transportation, and methane from agricultural activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acid precipitation, also known as acid rain, can be caused by pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of fossil fuels, ozone emissions from transportation, and methane from agricultural activities.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, in power plants, factories, and vehicles. These pollutants react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid, resulting in the formation of acid rain.
Ozone (O3), which is a secondary pollutant formed from the reaction of sunlight with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can also contribute to acid precipitation when it combines with water vapor in the atmosphere.
Methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas released from agricultural activities such as livestock farming and rice cultivation, does not directly contribute to acid precipitation, but it can indirectly contribute to the formation of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and alter precipitation patterns.