Question

What is the effect of acid rain on soil and animals?

Answer 1

Acid rain is a rain that is unusually acidic because of the presence of acids such as sulphuric acid and nitric acid. Rain is acidified by oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. Acid rain usually has a pH of less than 5.5. It is formed when pollutants such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen (like sulphur dioxide, nitric oxide, etc). It can have various harmful effects:

1. Most of the aquatic animals die off due to rising acidity levels in water bodies due to acid rain. Can Causes respiratory ailments in humans

2. Due to acid rain, amount of acid increases in soil which can affect the mobilisation of different ions and other toxic metals present in the soil necessary for plants. Acid rain can lower the soil pH which can reduce the populations of soil microorganisms essential for plants, which can effect the texture and fertility of soil.