Final answer:
Acid rain in Canada is primarily caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the burning of fossil fuels for power and transportation. These substances react with atmospheric moisture to create acidic compounds, resulting in acid rain. Regulatory measures have helped reduce these emissions and the severity of acid rain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Causes of Acid Rain in Canada
The primary causes of acid rain in Canada include the release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. These pollutants are mainly a result of burning fossil fuels, such as coal in power plants and gasoline and diesel in vehicles. When these gases react with water vapor in the atmosphere, they form acidic compounds, resulting in acid rain. This phenomenon can lead to significant environmental damage, including the acidification of lakes and streams, damage to forest ecosystems, and the erosion of buildings and statues made of susceptible material like marble and limestone.
Acid rain was a particularly severe problem in industrial regions of North America and Europe, including Canada, until the 1980s. Since then, regulations have reduced sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions leading to some improvements. Currently, the most significant anthropogenic cause of acid rain is the emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels, which release these harmful gases into the air.