Acid Deposition

Aryan, Vansh, Arnav, Malini

What is Acid Deposition?

Acid Deposition refers to any form of precipitation with acidic components that fall to the ground from
the atmosphere. Acid deposition can occur in the wet or dry form.

Causes of Acid Deposition

Acid deposition occurs when sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere and
react with moisture, oxygen and other chemicals to form acids.
Sulphur Oxides

Nitrogen Oxides
● Nitrogen monoxide, NO, is produced mainly
from internal combustion engines, where
the burning of the fuel releases heat energy
that causes nitrogen and oxygen from the
air to combine.
N2(g) + O2(g) → 2NO(g)
● A similar reaction gives rise directly to the
brown gas, nitrogen dioxide, NO2.
N2(g) + 2O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
● Nitrogen dioxide also forms from the
oxidation of nitrogen monoxide:
2NO(g) + O2(g) → 2NO2(g)
● Nitrogen dioxide dissolves in water to form a
mixture of nitrous acid (HNO2) and nitric acid
(HNO3).
H2O(l) + 2NO2(g) → HNO2(aq) + HNO3(aq)
● Alternatively, nitrogen dioxide can be oxidized to
form nitric acid.
2H2O(l) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g) → 4HNO3(aq)
● These reactions also proceed via different
mechanisms, depending on the conditions and
chemical cocktail in the atmosphere.
Photo-oxidation, the presence of ozone, and
hydroxyl free radicals (•HO) all contribute to the
production of nitrous acid and nitric acid
•HO + NO → HNO2
•HO + NO2 → HNO3