37. NCERT Exemplar XIX

The Mathura oil refinery discharges huge amounts of toxic gases into the atmosphere. Tones of $SO_2$, $N_2O$, hydrocarbons, $CO$$SO_2$, $N_2O$, hydrocarbons, $CO_2$$SO_2$, $NO_2$, hydrocarbons, $CO_2$ and aerosols are released into the atmosphere every day. The oxides of sulphur, carbon and nitrogen combine with water vapour or moisturedust particle or moisturewater vapour or dust particle present in the air to form weak sulphuric, carbonic and nitric acids.          

 

These acids are corrosive to stones, metals, paints and textiles. The gaseous pollutants from the refinery get converted into acids and travel towards Agra most of the time, causing serious air pollution problems and posing a threat to Taj Mahal. The acids present in the rain react with the marble (iron bicarbonatecalcium bicarbonatecalcium carbonate) of Taj Mahal and corrode it.