[brucethemoose2]

> sulfur dioxide tends to rise high into the stratosphere, where it combines with water molecules to create sulfuric acid particles, and remains for up to three years

> the way that sulfuric acid eventually leaves the atmosphere is by combining into larger and larger droplets that eventually become heavy enough to fall down to earth as acid rain

[BurningFrog]

My understanding is that sulfuric acid in the stratosphere is mostly broken down by sunlight, and the acid rain contribution from there is minimal.

But I couldn't quickly find any supporting facts, so this is just me saying "I think I read that somewhere".

[CorrectHorseBat]

Break down into what and where else than down would it go?

[brucethemoose2]

Yeah... Its sulfer dioxide. I am no chemist, but I don't see a safe way that can come down.

[BurningFrog]

Don't know, sorry.

Maybe the main factor is that the SO2 stays up there for 1-2 years, which gives a lot of cooling "bang" for the acid rain "buck".