Question

Anthropogenic causes of acid rain are primarily due to which one of the following? A. Destruction of the ozone layer B. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of fossil fuels C. Emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels D. Industrial emissions of acids E. Acids formed in the contrails of airplanes

Short answer

B. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Step-by-step solution

Read the Question Carefully

Understand what the question is asking. The question is about the primary anthropogenic (human-caused) reasons for acid rain.

Identify Potential Causes

Look at the answer choices and identify the reason(s) that are known to cause acid rain. The options are: A. Destruction of the ozone layer, B. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of fossil fuels, C. Emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels, D. Industrial emissions of acids, E. Acids formed in the contrails of airplanes.

Understand Acid Rain Formation

Acid rain is primarily caused by the release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. These chemicals can come from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. They react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which then fall to the ground as acid rain.

Analyze the Options

Compare each option against the knowledge of acid rain formation:A. The destruction of the ozone layer does not cause acid rain.B. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of fossil fuels directly cause acid rain.C. Emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil fuels contribute to global warming, not acid rain.D. Industrial emissions of acids are less significant compared to sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions from fossil fuels.E. Acids in airplane contrails are not a primary cause of acid rain.

Select the Best Answer

Based on the analysis, the most accurate answer is B. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Key concepts

sulfur dioxide emissions

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions play a major role in the formation of acid rain. When fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are burned, they release sulfur into the atmosphere. This sulfur combines with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide. Once released, SO2 can travel long distances in the air.
Eventually, it reacts with water vapor to produce sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
This falls to the ground as acid rain, harming ecosystems.
Sulfur dioxide is not just released from power plants; it can also come from industrial processes and volcanoes. However, human activities are the primary sources that cause significant harm to the environment.
To combat sulfur dioxide emissions, various regulations and technologies have been implemented. For instance, scrubbers are used in power plants to remove SO₂ from flue gases before they are released into the atmosphere.

nitrogen oxides

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are another crucial contributor to acid rain. These gases are generated primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities. There are several types of nitrogen oxides, but the most common in pollution are nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
When these gases are emitted into the atmosphere, they react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form nitric acid (HNO₃).
Like sulfuric acid, nitric acid then falls to the ground as acid rain, causing similar environmental damage.
Control measures for nitrogen oxides include using catalytic converters in cars, which transform NOx into less harmful gases.
Another approach is the implementation of low-NOx burners that minimize the creation of nitrogen oxides during combustion.

fossil fuel combustion

Combustion of fossil fuels is the fundamental process behind most air pollution, including acid rain. Fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas have been essential to industrialization and modern life. However, burning these fuels releases various pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
These pollutants are not naturally part of the atmospheric cycle in large quantities. Instead, they are added as a byproduct of human activities, like generating electricity, heating, and powering vehicles.
When these gases are released, they react chemically in the atmosphere. The reactions create acidic compounds that return to Earth's surface as acid rain. This process affects lakes, forests, soils, and even man-made structures.
Tackling fossil fuel emissions involves transitioning to cleaner energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
In the meantime, enhancing the efficiency of fossil fuel usage and installing emission control systems can significantly reduce the impact of these pollutants.