Causes of Acid Rain

Burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, petrol produces harmful gases like SO2 and NO2. This pollutes air in the atmosphere. When these gases mix with rainwater pH of rain water decreases below normal pH 5.6. Hence, it causes rain to be acidic. Therefore, rain is called acid rain.
2SO₂(g) + O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) → 2H₂SO₄(aq)
4NO₂(g) + O₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) → 4HNO₃(aq)

Effect of Acid Rain

Acid rain is harmful for agriculture, trees and plants. This is because, it dissolves and wash away essential nutrients, which are needed for their growth. Moreover it causes respiratory ailments in human beings and animals. Also, water of acid rain which reaches the lakes or other water resources causes ill effects on aquatic life. It leads to corrosion in water pipes, as a result, metal from the pipe enters into drinking water. Moreover, it also damages buildings, bridges and structures made of stone and metals.

Preventive measures

To stop the effect of acid rain there is need to reduce harmful gases in atmosphere. In case of Taj Mahal, there are large number of industries, power plants, that uses poor quality of fossil fuels and coal. As a result , air around Agra have high concentration of sulphur and nitrogen oxides. Hence, there is frequent problem of acid rain. Indian Government is taking measures to preserve the beauty of Taj Mahal, aiming to clear air in Taj Trapezium. Taj Trapezium includes Agra, Firozabad, Mathura and Bharatpur towns. Mathura refinery suggested to switch fuel in 2000 polluting industries, to natural gas or LPG instead of coal or oil. Pipeline network is laid down for the transport. People in cities are encouraged to use LPG.

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Keywords: Environmental chemistry, Causes of Acid rain, Effects of Acid Rain, Air pollution