What is acid rain?

Acid rain refers to precipitation that has been made acidic due to the presence of pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are released into the atmosphere by industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and other sources. When these substances combine with water vapor, they form sulfuric and nitric acids, leading to rainfall that has a lower pH than normal rainwater. This acidic precipitation can have harmful effects on the environment, including damage to forests, soils, and aquatic ecosystems, as well as human-made structures, such as buildings and monuments.

Understanding the implications of acid rain is crucial for environmental science, as it highlights the impact of human activities on natural ecosystems and underscores the importance of regulations to reduce emissions. The focus is on the chemical reactions that lead to rainfall becoming more acidic and the subsequent environmental consequences, differentiating it from other types of precipitation that may have different compositions or characteristics.