What are some effects of sulfur oxides?

What are some effects of sulfur oxides?

• A. Improve air quality
• B. No effect on plants or humans
• C. Only dissolve in rainwater
• D. Cause acid deposition, corrode metals, damage stone and materials, irritate respiratory tracts

Answer: (D)

Sulfur oxides, released into the atmosphere, react with moisture to form sulfurous and sulfuric acids, leading to acid deposition. This acid rain lowers the pH of rain, soils, and surface waters, harming aquatic life, altering nutrient availability, and stressing plants. They also promote corrosion of metals and deterioration of building materials and stone by accelerating chemical weathering of surfaces like limestone and marble. Inhaling sulfur oxides can irritate the respiratory tract and worsen conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. These impacts show why sulfur oxides are problematic for both the environment and human health, rather than improving air quality or having no effect, and they do more than just dissolve in rainwater.

Sulfur oxides, released into the atmosphere, react with moisture to form sulfurous and sulfuric acids, leading to acid deposition. This acid rain lowers the pH of rain, soils, and surface waters, harming aquatic life, altering nutrient availability, and stressing plants. They also promote corrosion of metals and deterioration of building materials and stone by accelerating chemical weathering of surfaces like limestone and marble. Inhaling sulfur oxides can irritate the respiratory tract and worsen conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. These impacts show why sulfur oxides are problematic for both the environment and human health, rather than improving air quality or having no effect, and they do more than just dissolve in rainwater.