Definition: Acid rain is rain, snow, sleet, or hail containing high levels of sulfuric or nitric acids with a pH below 5.5-5.6. Acid rain is produced when sulfur dioxide and various nitrogen oxides combine with atmospheric moisture. The resulting acid rain can contaminate drinking water, erode buildings, damage vegetation and aquatic life. Automobile exhausts and the burning of high-sulfur industrial fuels are thought to be the main causes, but natural sources, such as volcanic gases and forest fires, may also be significant.
Acid rain has been an increasingly serious problem since the 1950s, particularly in Northeastern United States, Canada, and western Europe, especially Scandinavia. Aquatic life has been impacted negatively in some areas, due to the presence of acid rain.
Acid rain has been an increasingly serious problem since the 1950s, particularly in Northeastern United States, Canada, and western Europe, especially Scandinavia. Aquatic life has been impacted negatively in some areas, due to the presence of acid rain.
