Asked by jacory Dillard

What have the scientific studies identified as the major cause of acid rain in the United States?

excess solar radiation due to the depletion of the ozone layer


volcanic ash in the air


burning of fossil fuels that release sulfur and nitrogen compounds into the air


chemicals still in the atmosphere from the asteroid collision with the earth

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
burning of fossil fuels that release sulfur and nitrogen compounds into the air

Scientific studies show that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from coal- and oil-fired power plants, industrial boilers, and vehicles oxidize in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which fall as acid deposition. This explains the spatial patterns of acid rain and the reductions seen after controls (e.g., Clean Air Act amendments, scrubbers, NOx controls).