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Consider the following statements with respect to the Acid Rain:
1. In Acid rain sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.
2. Acid rain falling on a forest’s soil disrupts soil nutrients and kills microorganisms in the soil. 3. Acid rain increases the methane emission from wetlands by disturbing their pH levels.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    1 only
  • c)
    3 only
  • d)
    1, 2 and 3 
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Consider the following statements with respect to the Acid Rain:1. In ...
• Statement 3 is incorrect: In areas where there is a significant amount of acid rain, scientists have shown that these sulfur archaea out-compete the methane-producing 
microbes, thereby decreasing the methane output in these areas significantly.
 Acid Rain
• Acidity and alkalinity are measured using a pH scale for which 7.0 is neutral. The lower a substance’s pH (less than 7), the more acidic it is; the higher a substance’s pH (greater than 7), the more alkaline it is. Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6; it is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves into it forming weak carbonic acid.  Acid rain usually has a pH between 4.2 and 4.4.
• Acid rain, or acid deposition, is a broad term that includes any form of precipitation with acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid that fall to the ground from the atmosphere in wet or dry forms.  This can include rain, snow, fog, hail or even dust that is acidic.
• Acid rain results when sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents.  The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulphuric and nitric acids.  These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground. While a small portion of the SO2 and NOX that cause acid rain is from natural sources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuels.  The major sources of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere are:
• Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity.  Two thirds of SO2 and one fourth of NOX in the atmosphere come from electric power generators.
• Vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.
• Wet Deposition: Wet deposition is what we most commonly think of as acid rain.  The sulphuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.  
• Dry Deposition: Acidic particles and gases can also deposit from the atmosphere in the absence of moisture as dry deposition.  The acidic particles and gases may deposit to surfaces (water bodies, vegetation, buildings) quickly or may react during atmospheric transport to form larger particles that can be harmful to human health. When the accumulated acids are washed off a surface by the next rain, this acidic water flows over and through the ground, and can harm plants and wildlife, such as insects and fish. The amount of acidity in the atmosphere that deposits to earth through dry deposition depends on the amount of rainfall an area  receives.  For example, in desert areas the ratio of dry to wet deposition is higher than an area that receives several inches of rain each year.
• Dead or dying trees are a common sight in areas effected by acid rain. Acid rain leaches aluminium from the soil. That aluminium may be harmful to plants as well as animals. Acid rain also removes minerals and nutrients from the soil that trees need to grow.  At high elevations, acidic fog and clouds might strip nutrients from trees’ foliage, leaving them with brown or dead leaves and needles. The trees are then less able to absorb sunlight, which makes them weak and less able to withstand freezing temperatures.
• Wetland soils also contain sulfur-loving archaea, which are single-celled organisms that use sulfur for energy production. They compete with the methane producing microbes. In areas where there is a significant amount of acid rain, scientists have shown that these sulfur archaea outcompete the methane-producing microbes, thereby decreasing the methane output in these areas significantly.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements with respect to the Acid Rain:1. In ...
Can lead to the leaching of essential nutrients from the soil, affecting plant growth.3. Acid rain can erode buildings, statues, and other structures made of limestone and marble.4. Acid rain does not have any harmful effects on human health.5. Acid rain is primarily caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels.

Which of the above statements are correct?

The correct statements are:

1. In Acid rain sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.
2. Acid rain falling on a forest can lead to the leaching of essential nutrients from the soil, affecting plant growth.
3. Acid rain can erode buildings, statues, and other structures made of limestone and marble.
5. Acid rain is primarily caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels.
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Consider the following statements with respect to the Acid Rain:1. In Acid rain sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.2. Acid rain falling on a forest’s soil disrupts soil nutrients and kills microorganisms in the soil. 3. Acid rain increases the methane emission from wetlands by disturbing their pH levels.Which of the above statements is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 onlyc)3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Consider the following statements with respect to the Acid Rain:1. In Acid rain sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.2. Acid rain falling on a forest’s soil disrupts soil nutrients and kills microorganisms in the soil. 3. Acid rain increases the methane emission from wetlands by disturbing their pH levels.Which of the above statements is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 onlyc)3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements with respect to the Acid Rain:1. In Acid rain sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.2. Acid rain falling on a forest’s soil disrupts soil nutrients and kills microorganisms in the soil. 3. Acid rain increases the methane emission from wetlands by disturbing their pH levels.Which of the above statements is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 onlyc)3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements with respect to the Acid Rain:1. In Acid rain sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail.2. Acid rain falling on a forest’s soil disrupts soil nutrients and kills microorganisms in the soil. 3. Acid rain increases the methane emission from wetlands by disturbing their pH levels.Which of the above statements is/are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)1 onlyc)3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
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