• Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are the two main pollutants that contribute to acid rain. SO2 is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are burned. NOx is released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned and when vehicles are driven.
• SO2 and NOx react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. These acids then fall to Earth as rain, snow, or fog.
• Acid rain can have a number of harmful effects on the environment, including:
  • Damage to forests and lakes: Acid rain can make lakes acidic, which can kill fish and other aquatic life. It can also damage trees, making them more susceptible to disease and pests.
  • Erosion of buildings and monuments: Acid rain can erode limestone and other building materials, causing damage to buildings and monuments.
  • Health problems: Acid rain can irritate the respiratory system, causing coughing, wheezing, and other problems. It can also contribute to the formation of smog, which can aggravate respiratory problems.

Industrial emissions are a major source of SO2 and NOx. Power plants, factories, and other industrial facilities that burn fossil fuels release large amounts of these pollutants into the atmosphere.

Vehicular pollution is also a major source of SO2 and NOx. Cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles emit these pollutants when they burn gasoline or diesel fuel.

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the problem of acid rain and the need to reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx. Many countries have implemented regulations to reduce emissions from industrial facilities and vehicles. These regulations have helped to reduce the amount of acid rain in the atmosphere. However, acid rain is still a problem in many parts of the world, and more needs to be done to reduce emissions and protect the environment.

Here are some of the things that can be done to reduce the formation of acid rain:

• Use cleaner fuels: Switching to cleaner fuels, such as natural gas and renewable energy sources, can help to reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx.
• Improve efficiency: Improving the efficiency of industrial processes and vehicles can also help to reduce emissions.
• Install pollution control devices: Pollution control devices, such as scrubbers and catalytic converters, can be used to remove SO2 and NOx from emissions before they are released into the atmosphere.
• Educate the public: Raising awareness of the problem of acid rain and the need to reduce emissions can help to encourage people to make changes in their behavior, such as driving less and using less energy.