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> sulfur dioxide tends to rise high into the stratosphere, where it combines with water molecules to create sulfuric acid particles, and remains for up to three
by brucethemoose2 3y ago
> sulfur dioxide tends to rise high into the stratosphere, where it combines with water molecules to create sulfuric acid particles, and remains for up to three years
> the way that sulfuric acid eventually leaves the atmosphere is by combining into larger and larger droplets that eventually become heavy enough to fall down to earth as acid rain
- BurningFrog 3y agoMy understanding is that sulfuric acid in the stratosphere is mostly broken down by sunlight, and the acid rain contribution from there is minimal. But I couldn't quickly find any supporting facts, so this is just me saying "I think I read that somewhere".
- CorrectHorseBat 3y agoBreak down into what and where else than down would it go?
- brucethemoose2 3y agoYeah... Its sulfer dioxide. I am no chemist, but I don't see a safe way that can come down.
- BurningFrog 3y agoDon't know, sorry. Maybe the main factor is that the SO2 stays up there for 1-2 years, which gives a lot of cooling "bang" for the acid rain "buck".