Answer the following.

What is acid rain?

Factories using coal and timber and burning of fuels in vehicles releases oxides of sulphur and nitrogen into the atmosphere. These oxides when mixed with rain water form acids such as sulphuric acid, nitric acid etc. The acid rain formed by mixing of acids with rain water and snowflakes falls on earth as acid rain.

Adverse effects of acid rain:

1. Acid rain increases the acidity of soil and water bodies. This makes the water inhabitable for the aquatic organisms. It also adversely affects the plants and animals.

2. Historical monuments are affected by acid rain. E.g. Taj mahal