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#AcidRain is a popular term for the atmospheric deposition of acidified rain, snow, sleet, hail, acidifying gases and particles, as well as acidified fog and cloud water. The increased acidity of these depositions, primarily from the strong acids, sulfuric and nitric, is generated as a by-product of the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur or nitrogen, especially electrical utilities (power plants.)

The heating of homes, electricity production, and driving vehicles all rely primarily on fossil fuel energy. When fossil fuels are combusted, acid-forming nitrogen and sulfur oxides are released to the atmosphere. These compounds are transformed chemically in the atmosphere, often traveling thousands of kilometers from their original source, and then fall out on land and water surfaces as acid rain. As a result, pollutants from power plants in New Jersey, Ohio or Michigan can impact forests, rivers or lakes in less developed parts of New Hampshire or Maine.

Acid rain was discovered in 1963 in North America at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, in the White Mountains of New Hampshire at the initiation of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study. The first sample of rain collected there had a pH of 3.7, some 80 times more acidic than unpolluted rain. Innovations for reducing fossil fuel emissions, such as scrubbers on the tall smoke stacks on power plants and factories, catalytic converters on automobiles, and use of low-sulfur coal, have been employed to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). As a result of increasing global economies, fossil fuel combustion is increasing around the world, with concomitant spread of acid rain, especially in areas such as China.

Precipitation chemistry
Several processes can result in the formation of acid deposition. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) released into the atmosphere from a variety of sources call fall to the Earth’s surface simply as dry deposition. This dry deposition can then be converted into acids when these deposited chemicals interact with water. Most wet acid deposition occurs when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are converted to nitric acid (HNO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) through oxidation and dissolution in the atmosphere. Wet deposition can also form when ammonia gas (NH3) from natural and agricultural sources is converted into ammonium (NH4).
The source of the acids in the atmosphere is largely the result of the combustion of fossil fuels that produce waste by-products including gases such as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. Oxidized sulfur and nitrogen gases are acid precursors in the atmosphere. For example, SO2 reacts with water in the atmosphere to yield sulfuric acid:

SO2 + H2O + Β½O2 = H2SO4

An analogous reaction of water with nitrogen oxides, symbolized as NOx, yields nitric acid (HNO3).

Ammonia (NH3) is a by-product of some natural processes, as well as agricultural sources (e.g., application of nitrogen-containing fertilizers; emissions from intensive animal feedlots, such as decomposition of organic matter). In its dissolved form, ammonium (NH4+) contributes acidity to surface waters through the process of nitrification.

In addition to wet deposition (rain, snow, and fog), acidic deposition includes the deposition of dry, particulate, and gaseous acid precursors that become acidic in contact with water. This dry deposition is difficult to quantify and expensive to measure. Inferential methods indicate that dry deposition represents 20% to 80% of the total deposition of acids to the landscape, depending on factors such as location, season, and total rainfall.

Acid rain is mostly caused by emission of sulphur, nitrogen and carbon which react with water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids

The biggest human activity causes of acid rain include coal-based power plants, factories and automobile emissions

It can also be caused by natural phenomena such as

- Lightning strikes (which splits nitrogen compounds)sulphur dioxide)
Natural (unpolluted) rain is slightly acidic with pH of 5.2 due to the reaction of carbon dioxide with water to produce carbonic acid

Acid rain has many adverse effects including

- Damage to aquatic animals

- Damage to soil chemistry by killing off essential microbes

- Loss of forests and vegetation

- Human illnesses such as cancer, asthma and other diseases

- Damage to buildings and historical monuments (esp. those made of limestone and marble)
The Hindu: 7/10/26
1) Pioneer of ice cube neutrino detector wins Physics Nobel: page 1
2) Centre plans 5- Prolonged reform : page 1
3) twenty five years of leadership: page 6
4) Women are twice as likely to use public transport: page 7
5) Cyber fraud victims: page 9
6) There is no one size fits all approach: page 12
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The Indian Express: 7/10/26
1) Through ghost particles in ice : Explained page
2) China Russia: Explained page
3) Govt. announces ANMOL scheme expansion : page 5
4) A war in Iran: page 11
5) Higher yields in US : page 11
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The Hindu: 8/10/26
1) RBI raises to repo rate to 5.5%:: page 1
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3) India's stakes in the global pandemic agreement: page 6
4) AI companions and child safety: page 7
5) SC flags accessibility gaps : page 12
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7) As GST council meets today: page 13
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The Indian Express: 8/10/26
1) Easy money over : page 1
2) India calls for de escalation: page 8
3) RBI's focus on inflation is timely : page 10
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πŸ† Nobel Prize 2026

βš›οΈ Physics β€” Francis Halzen
His work on the IceCube Neutrino Observatory enabled the detection of high-energy neutrinos from distant cosmic sources, opening a new window into the Universe.

🧬 Medicine β€” Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann & Georg Nagel
Their work on optogenetics made it possible to control individual nerve cells with light, transforming how scientists study the living brain.

πŸ§ͺ Chemistry β€” Henri B. Kagan & Kenso Soai
They were recognized for discovering non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis, helping explain how chemical reactions can produce an excess of one molecular mirror-image form.
#WorldPostDay marks the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. India Post expresses gratitude to all who are part of the postal system worldwide.

The 2026 theme is β€œπ‘Άπ’π’† 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒍 π‘΅π’†π’•π’˜π’π’“π’Œ, π‘°π’π’‡π’Šπ’π’Šπ’•π’† π‘·π’π’”π’”π’Šπ’ƒπ’Šπ’π’Šπ’•π’Šπ’†π’”,” highlighting the role of postal services in connecting people, businesses and communities worldwide.

History
The event was declared by the 1969 Universal Postal Congress in Tokyo as a means to mark the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union's (UPU) creation in 1874.

Indian Context
- The world's first official airmail flight took place in India on February 18, 1911.
- The Indian Post Office Act 1898 was passed by the legislature on March 22, 1898. It became active on July 1, 1898.
- In Independent India, the first official postal stamp was issued on November 21, 1947.
- The new stamp depicted the Indian flag with the patriots' slogan 'Jai Hind'.

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Territorial Army celebrates its 77th Raising Day today.The day is observed every year on October 9 to commemorate its raising by the first Governor-General, C. Rajagopalachari, in 1949.
Indian Foreign Service Day : Every year, on October 9th, India observes Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day, a significant occasion dedicated to celebrating the establishment and enduring legacy of the Indian Foreign Service.

This institution plays a pivotal role in representing India’s diplomatic, consular, and commercial interests worldwide. IFS Day serves as a poignant reminder of the invaluable contributions made by diplomats and foreign service officers in advancing India’s interests and fostering international cooperation.

It is not just a historical commemoration but also an acknowledgment of the continued significance of diplomacy in shaping India’s global relationships.
The Hindu: 9/10/26
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The Indian Express: 9/10/26
1) Taxman's pre prosecution arrest : page 1
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