In addition to the green house gas effect, the acidification of rain water that results from excessive emission of sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the air. Presence of these gasses enables them to mix with other compounds present in the air, such as water vapor. The most prominent result is dilute acid formation in our rainwater.
Presence of these acids increases the acidity of rain water. Rain water is naturally acidic due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the air. The carbon dioxide mixes with water vapor to form weak carbonic acid, which creates a natural acidification of rain. Significant quantities of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere can significantly increase the acidity of rain water, resulting in what is more popularly termed “acid rain”.
The environmental effects of acid rain are numerous and varied. In New York State, it negatively impacted many lakes in the Adirondack Mountains. Acidic rain kills many lake fish species and damages the lakes' general health.
In the environment, acid rain raises the acid levels in soils and water bodies (making the water unsuitable for some fish and other wildlife) and damages trees at some high elevations. It also speeds the decay of buildings, statues and sculptures that are part of our national heritage.