When these gases are discharged into the atmosphere, they react with the water, oxygen, and other gases already present there to form sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid. The two gases which are mainly responsible for causing acid rain are – Oxides of Sulphur (SO2) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NO2). Acid deposition can be caused by natural sources such as volcanoes , but it is mainly caused by the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide during fossil fuel combustion.

Both natural and man-made sources are known to play a role in the formation of acid rain. Volcanoes emit acid producing gases to create higher than normal … These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants , … The major sources of SO 2 and NO X in the atmosphere are: Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. The major natural causal agent for acid rain is volcanic emissions. Natural Sources. When SO2 and NO2 present in access amount in the atmosphere mixes or reacts with rainwater, they form sulphuric acid and nitric acid, respectively. But, it is mainly caused by combustion of fossil fuels which results in emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and nitrogen oxides (NO x). Acid rain is a mix of atmospheric water molecules and dry depositions of Sulfur dioxides and Nitrogen oxides emitted from industries and vehicles. What Causes Acid Rain? Sulfur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with water are found in two ways either man-made i.e as the emissions are given out from industries or by natural causes like how a lightning strike in the atmosphere releases nitrogen ions and sulphur is released from volcanic eruptions. Causes of Acid Rain The causes of acid rain are Sulfur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with the wet components of rain .

Causes of Acid Rain. While a small portion of the SO 2 and NO X that cause acid rain is from natural sources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Acid rain is a rain that is unusually acidic; having an elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH), generally cause by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. Primary Causes of Acid Rain Acid rain is formed by elevated levels of sulfur and nitric acids in the atmospheres that accumulate as a result of Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Sulfur dioxides (SO2) emissions. 1.