It depends upon the types of pollutants, but a common result is acid rain.
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When rainwater mixes with pollutants, it can create acid rain. Acid rain forms when pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water in the atmosphere, resulting in a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. This acidic precipitation can have negative impacts on the environment, including harming vegetation, damaging buildings, and affecting water quality.
Rainwater becomes acidic when it mixes with pollutants in the atmosphere such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. On the other hand, ocean water is basic due to the presence of dissolved minerals like calcium carbonate, which acts as a buffer to maintain a stable pH level.
sulfur dioxide
Acid rain is colorless because it consists of ordinary rainwater that has become acidic due to the presence of pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants dissolve in the rainwater, making it more acidic, but they do not necessarily change the color of the rain itself.
Rainwater is generally considered clean when it falls from the sky. However, once it reaches the ground, it can pick up pollutants and contaminants from the environment, such as dust, dirt, and chemicals. It's always a good idea to purify rainwater for drinking or household use to ensure it is safe.
The pH of rainwater is typically slightly acidic, with a pH around 5.6 due to the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere forming carbonic acid when it dissolves in rainwater. However, the pH of rainwater can vary depending on location and atmospheric conditions.