Stone leprosy is caused due to

Options

A. Acid rain
B. Ozone depletion
C. Soil erosion
D. None of these

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Stone Leprosy**: Stone leprosy, also known as "stone disease," is a condition that affects rocks and buildings, leading to their deterioration. It is important to identify the underlying causes of this phenomenon.

2. **Identifying the Causes**: The primary cause of stone leprosy is atmospheric pollution, which leads to the formation of acid rain. Acid rain occurs when pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are released into the atmosphere from industrial activities and the burning of fossil fuels.

3. **Role of Acid Rain**: When acid rain falls on rocks and buildings, it reacts chemically with minerals in the stone. This reaction can lead to the leaching of essential minerals and the weakening of the stone structure, causing it to break down over time.

4. **Sources of Pollution**: The main sources of the pollutants that cause acid rain include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and the burning of coal and oil. These activities release sulfur and nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere, which eventually fall back to the ground as acid rain.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the cause of stone leprosy is primarily linked to atmospheric pollution that leads to acid rain, which in turn damages rocks and buildings.

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