how does acid rain affect plant and animal life?
Acid Rain or Acid Precipitation can be defined as precipitation that has a pH of 5.6 or lower. Acid rain is formed when oxides of nitrogen and sulphite combine with moisture in the atmosphere to make nitric and sulfuric acids. These acids can be carried away far from its origin. Nitrogen oxides rise into the atmosphere and are oxidized in clouds to form nitric or nitrous acid. These reactions are catalyzed in heavily polluted clouds where traces of iron, manganese, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide are present. Nitrogen oxides rise into the atmosphere mainly from automobile exhaust. In the atmosphere it reacts with water to form nitric or nitrous acid. NO2(g) + H2O(l) -> HNO3(aq)+HNO2(aq) [gas phase] In the aqueous phase there are three equilibrium to keep in mind for the oxidation of nitrogen oxide. 1.) 2NO2(g) + H2O(l) -> 2H+ + NO3 – + NO2 – 2.) NO(g) + NO2(g) + H2O(l) -> 2H+ + 2NO2 – 3.) 3NO2(g) + H2O(l) -> 2H+ + 2NO3 – + NO(g) Similarly, for SO2 SO2 (g)+O2(g) -> SO3(g) Afterwards, it
