Acid rain means the presence of excessive acids in rain-water. It has been one of the effects of air pollution. Every source of energy that we use such as coal, fuel, wood or petroleum products has Sulphur and nitrogen. These two elements when burnt in the presence of atmospheric oxygen are converted into their respective oxides viz. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide which are highly soluble in water.

During rain, these oxides react with large quantities of water-vapor of the atmosphere to form acids like sulfuric acid, sulphorous acid and nitric acid, nitrous acid which then return to earths surface with rain water or remain in the atmosphere in clouds and fog.

Following are effect of acid rain:

a. It reduces the pH of streams and lakes which kills aquatic life and reduces the growth of plankton and reproduction of fish.

b. It is harmful to forest and vegetation. It causes damage to leaves ie. Suppressing the growth of leaves, which results vanishing of greenery.

c. It affects the soil. A plant nutrient such as potassium is gradually leached out of the soil. Under acidic conditions, toxic metals to plant get accumulated in the soil.

d. It also disturbs the microbial activity of the soil.

Infographics was extracted from :epa