Acid Rain - Sulfuric and nitric acids returns to earth as acid rain destroying: aquatic life, marble and limestone structures , paint, metals, and fabrics. Read more about it.
The burning of sulfurized fuels such as coal releases hydrogen sulfide H2S and sulfur dioxide SO2 into the atmosphere. These are easily converted into sulfur trioxide SO3 by oxidation with the oxygen in the air. This sulfur trioxide then combines with water SO3 + H2O ---> H2SO4 to produce sulfuric acid.
Our atmosphere is composed of 70% Nitrogen along with 20% Oxygen. When burned at high temperatures inside an internal combustion engine these elements form Nitrates. mainly Nitrous oxide ( NO2 ), Nitric oxide ( NO ) and Nitrogen dioxide ( NO2 ). The nitrates, when combined with water forms Nitric Acid: HNO3.
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Updated: 12/20/06