Question

Discuss the relationship between the production of nitrogen oxide species and the formation of ‘acid rain’ and the role played by carbon monoxide, methane, and the hydroxyl radical.

Answer 1

Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like nitrogen oxides are released into the air. 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, known as acid rain. Nitrogen oxides dissolve very easily in water and can be carried very far by the wind. As a result, the two compounds can travel long distances where they become part of the rain, sleet, snow and fog that we experience on certain days

Human activities are the main cause of acid rain. Over the past few decades, humans have released so many different chemicals into the air that they have changed the mix of gases in the atmosphere. Power plants release the majority of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks, and buses releases nitrogen oxides into the air. These pollutants cause acid rain.