In a test tube containing a salt, a few drops of dilute \(H _2 SO _4\) was added, which gave colourless vapours having the smell of vinegar. The vapours turned the blue litmus paper red. Identify the correct anion from the following :

(C) When a salt containing the acetate anion \(\left( CH _3 COO ^{-}\right)\)is treated with dilute \(H _2 SO _4\), acetic acid \(\left( CH _3 COOH \right)\) is formed.
\(2 CH_3 COO^{-}+H_2 SO_4 \rightarrow 2 CH_3 COOH+SO_4^{2-}\)
Acetic acid vapour sare colourless and have a characteristic smell of vinegar. Being acidic in nature, these vapours turn blue litmus paper red.
Sulphide \(\left( S ^{2-}\right)\) gives \(H _2 S\) gas which has a rotten egg smell.
Sulphate \(\left( SO _4^{2-}\right)\) does not react with dilute \(H _2 SO _4\).
Carbonate \(\left( CO _3^{2-}\right)\) gives \(CO _2\) gas which is odourless.