Question

List the products of combustion of fossil fuels. What are their adverse effects on the environment?

Answer 1

The combustion of fossil fuels leads to the formation of carbon dioxide, soot, smoke, oxides of sulphur. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas leading to global warming. This increases the temperature of the earth, melting of polar ice caps and raising the sea level. Oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur lead to the formation of acid rain due to air pollution. Acid rain is very harmful to the monuments and building as it corrodes them. It also makes the soil acidic affecting its productivity. Thus, on the whole, it degrades the environment and leads to ecological instability.