Sulfur oxides are gases released when fossil fuels (coal and oil) are burned. Large amounts are released when industries and power plants burn fossil fuels.The diagram shows two sulfur oxides:
- sulfur dioxide
- sulfur trioxide
The main source o
f nitrogen oxides is from the exhaust of vehicles.
Nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides in air react with rain to form acids.
For information about the chemical reaction involved in the forming of acid rain, see ACID RAIN: FORMATION
For information about the effects of acid rain, see ACID RAIN: EFFECTS