Weathering release occurs of Ca and other ions into surface waters. Rainfall is acidic because atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolves in the rainwater producing weak carbonic acid. In unpolluted environments, the rainfall pH is around 5.6. Acid rain occurs when gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are present in the atmosphere. These oxides react in the rain water to produce stronger acids and can lower the pH to 4.5 or even 3.0. Sulfur dioxide, SO, comes from volcanic eruptions or from fossil fuels, can become sulfuric acid within rainwater, which can cause solution weathering to the rocks on which it
Underground coal gasification oxidants (air, oxygen) and steam to ignite and fuel the underground combustion process. Separate production wells are used to bring the product gas to the surface. The high pressure combustion is conducted at temperature of , but it may reach up to . The process decomposes coal and generates carbon dioxide (), hydrogen (), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (). In addition, there are small quantities of various contaminants including sulfur oxides (), mono-nitrogen oxides (), and hydrogen sulfide (). As the coal face burns and the immediate area is depleted, the oxidants injected are controlled by the operator. There are