What do you understand by 'Acid Rain'? Discuss four ill-effects of acid rain.

Explanation

Acid-rain. It is formed when sulphur dioxide or sulphur tri-oxide or nitrogen dioxide react with water to form corresponding acids. When these acids precipitate as rain, then they create the acid rain
Effect: (i) It damages foliage and growing points producing chlorosis, necrosis, defolisation and die back. It causes leaching of essential minerals of soil.
(ii) Acid rain carrodes metals, marble, painted surfaces, stone etc. called as stone liprosy.
(iii) Acid rain with pH below 5 kills fish, molluses, planktons.
(iv) Acidity dissolves toxic metals like Hg, Pb, Zn, Al, etc. This kills all type of aquatic life except some algae and fungi.
(v) Acid rain pollutes the soil and water resources.
(vi) Acidic hydrogen sulphide blackens the leaded house paints and tarnishes silver.