Question

What two major acids are involved in acid deposition? Where does each come from?

Short answer

The two major acids involved in acid deposition are sulfuric acid (\(H_2SO_4\)) and nitric acid (\(HNO_3\)). Sulphuric acid mainly comes from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil, whereas nitric acid comes primarily from vehicular and industrial emissions.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the Acids in Acid Deposition

The two major acids involved in the acid deposition are sulfuric acid (\(H_2SO_4\)) and nitric acid (\(HNO_3\)).

Source of Sulphuric Acid

Sulphuric acid in acid deposition mainly comes from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. When these fuels are burned, they release sulfur dioxide (\(SO_2\)). This \(SO_2\) can mix with water in the atmosphere to form sulphuric acid (\(H_2SO_4\)), which falls as acid rain.

Source of Nitric Acid

Nitric acid comes primarily from vehicular and industrial emissions. The high-temperature combustion processes in vehicles and power plants release nitrogen oxides (\(NO_x\)), which can mix with atmospheric water to form nitric acid (\(HNO_3\)).