The Acidic Environment > 2. Acidic Oxides >
Describe, using equations, examples of chemical reactions which release sulfur dioxide and chemical reactions which release oxides of nitrogen
- In a metal sulfide smelter, the metal sulfide and oxygen react to produce a metal oxide and sulfur dioxide, such as in the case of zinc sulfide smelting:
![](https://easychem.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Production-of-Zinc-Oxide.png)
- In the combustion of fossil fuels, the sulfur contained in sulfur compounds and oxygen react to produce sulfur dioxide:
![](https://easychem.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Production-of-Sulfur-Dioxide.png)
- Due to the very high local temperatures produced by lightening strikes and combustion, nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere react to produce nitric oxide:
![](https://easychem.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Production-of-Nitric-Oxide.png)
- Nitric oxide and oxygen in the atmosphere react slowly to produce nitrogen dioxide:
![](https://easychem.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Production-of-Nitrogen-Dioxide.png)