Q.6 Explain circumstances leading to acid rain. How does acid rain affect us?

Burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum products releases a variety of pollutants like sulphur dioxide, different oxides of nitrogen into the atmosphere. Vehicular pollution also releases harmful gases and dust particles.

These pollutants react with water vapours present in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid respectively. These acids come down with the rain, thereby resulting in acid rain.

Effects of acid rain:

(i) Acid rains damage crops.

(ii) Acid rains corrode buildings and monuments especially those which are made up of marbles such as Taj Mahal.