"Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic, meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH)."
The causes and effects of acid rain, which is caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
Sources of acid rain: Acid rain is the product of various emissions and pollutants from both natural and human sources.
Effects of acid rain on the environment: Acid rain can have a significant impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including wildlife, vegetation, forests, and water quality.
Chemistry of acid rain formation: Acid rain formation involves complex chemical reactions between atmospheric constituents, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and water.
Atmospheric deposition and transport of acid rain: Acid rain can travel through long distances, affecting regions far away from its origin through atmospheric deposition and transport.
Monitoring and modeling of acid rain: Scientists use various methods to monitor and model acid rain phenomena, including remote sensing, atmospheric modeling, and data analysis.
Prevention and control of acid rain: Several measures can be taken to prevent or mitigate the effects of acid rain, including reducing emissions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds, using alternative energy sources, and improving land use practices.
Health effects of acid rain: Acid rain can have hazardous effects on human health, including respiratory problems, skin irritations, and damage to the nervous system.
Historical and cultural impacts of acid rain: Historical records indicate that acid rain was present in the environment long before the industrial era, and there are many cultural and historical artifacts and sites that have been damaged or destroyed by acid rain.
Social and economic impacts of acid rain: The social and economic impacts of acid rain range from the loss of biodiversity and tourism revenues to the negative health effects of pollution and environmental damage.
International policy and governance related to acid rain: Various international agreements, protocols, and initiatives have been established to address acid rain and its impacts on the global environment.
"Acid rain has a pH level lower than this and ranges from 4–5 on average."
"In ecosystems, persistent acid rain reduces tree bark durability, leaving flora more susceptible to environmental stressors such as drought, heat/cold, and pest infestation."
"Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts on freshwaters, microbes, insects, and aquatic life-forms."
"Acid rain also causes paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and statues."
"Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids."
"The main source of sulfur and nitrogen compounds that result in acid rain are anthropogenic, but nitrogen oxides can also be produced naturally by lightning strikes and sulfur dioxide is produced by volcanic eruptions."
"Acid rain also has impacts on human health."
"Acid rain is also capable of detrimenting soil composition by stripping it of nutrients such as calcium and magnesium which play a role in plant growth and maintaining healthy soil."
"Some governments, including those in Europe and North America, have made efforts since the 1970s to reduce the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere through air pollution regulations."
"These efforts have had positive results due to the widespread research on acid rain starting in the 1960s and the publicized information on its harmful effects."
"Persistency acid rain reduces tree bark durability."
"Nitrogen oxides can also be produced naturally by lightning strikes."
"Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts on freshwaters."
"Acid rain causes weathering of stone buildings and statues."
"Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts on microbes, insects, and aquatic life-forms."
"Acid rain detrimentally affects soil composition by stripping it of nutrients such as calcium and magnesium which play a role in plant growth."
"Acid rain has adverse impacts on forests, freshwaters, soils, microbes, insects, and aquatic life-forms."
"Acid rain causes paint to peel, corrosion of steel structures such as bridges."
"The widespread research on acid rain starting in the 1960s and the publicized information on its harmful effects have led to efforts by governments to reduce the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere through air pollution regulations."