Acid rain occurs when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides are released in the air. |
Sulfur dioxide is produced when coal or oil are burned in power plants and industrial boilers. Then the sulfur combines with oxygen which forms sulfur dioxide (SO2).
When nitrogen which makes up 78% of the atmosphere is heated at a high temperature, it combines with oxygen in the atmosphere and combines nitrogen oxide (NOX). When SO2 or NOx are released high in the air,mixed with water, oxygen and other chemicals, they form acidic pollutants also known as acid rain. |