Acid rain is the term used for wet and dry deposition from the atmosphere that contains higher than average amounts of sulfuric and nitric acid. It is produced by natural sources such as decaying vegetation and volcanoes and man-made sources such as fossil fuel combustion. It occurs when gases react in the atmosphere with oxygen and water. Acid rain can be dumped as wet deposits, such as rain and fog, or as dry deposits, such as smoke and dust. It causes acidification of water, vegetation and soil, which in turn kills existing vegetation and prevents new growth.
Rainforests store large quantities of carbon both above and below the ground. The process of photosynthesis occurs in trees and plants when they react to sunlight. They give off oxygen and absorb water and carbon dioxide. When a tree is cut down it starts to decompose and releases carbon dioxide. Trees also release carbon dioxide when burned. Commercial logging and ground clearance for agriculture are major causes of deforestation.
According to the Tropical Rainforest Animals website, Texaco is responsible for spilling 17 million gallons of oil from its pipeline and dumping 18 billion gallons of toxic waste directly into the Ecuadorian rainforest, causing widespread contamination. Dumping of toxic waste and activities such as mining release toxic particles and fumes into the air. Scientists claim that the soil in this area of Ecuador is so full of toxic oil waste that nothing will grow, water sources have become nonpotable, and cancer rates and birth defects in the area appear to be rising dramatically.
Rainforests are being cleared to provide space for commercial livestock production and ranching operations. This increases ammonia pollution from cattle waste, which affects not only air quality but soil and water quality. Hog farms emit hydrogen sulfide into the air. This causes flulike symptoms in humans and, in high enough quantities, can lead to brain damage.
