What is acid rain primarily associated with?

Acid rain is primarily associated with the burning of fossil fuels, as this process releases sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. When these pollutants combine with water vapor, oxygen, and other trace chemicals, they undergo chemical reactions that form sulfuric and nitric acids. As these acids fall back to the Earth in precipitation, they lower the pH of rainwater, resulting in acid rain.

This phenomenon has significant environmental impacts, including damaging aquatic ecosystems, harming plant life, and corroding buildings and monuments made of limestone and marble. While other factors such as industrial waste disposal and natural processes can contribute to local increases in acidity, the predominant source of the compounds that lead to acid rain is indeed the combustion of fossil fuels. This connection underscores the relationship between fossil fuel consumption, air quality, and environmental health.