The impacts of Acid Rain?

[Jesse Martinez 2B]

Hi there,

As acid rain is caused by the accumulation of excess CO2 and other pollutants that form acids when reacted with water in the atmosphere, which seems to have no sign of slowing down, what are the broader environmental implications of acid rain? It mentions in the textbook that some genetic material from plants that cannot handle the acidity or chemical change of the soil would be lost, but what is the broader environmental impact? Does it pose a threat to larger organisms, specifically herding animals, that rely on prairie grasslands for food?

[sofia_brown_1D]

Acid rain does dissolve nutrients in the soil that plants rely on to grow. As soils become more acidic and less fertile, the entire ecosystem that relies on these plants will be affected. I've also read that increased acid leads to more aluminum being released, which some animals/plants are not able to tolerate as well.

[Ariel Peng 3J]

Acid rain, resulting from pollutants like CO2, SO2, and NOx reacting with water in the atmosphere, has several broader environmental implications:
Soil Degradation: Acid rain can alter soil chemistry, leaching essential nutrients and introducing toxic elements. This makes it difficult for many plants to survive, potentially leading to a loss of plant diversity and genetic material.
Water Ecosystems: Acid rain lowers the pH of water bodies, harming aquatic life. Fish and other aquatic organisms are sensitive to pH changes, which can lead to reduced biodiversity in these ecosystems.
Forest Damage: Acid rain can damage leaves, limiting photosynthesis, and weaken trees by leaching nutrients from the soil, making forests more susceptible to disease, extreme weather, and pests.
Impact on Animals: For larger animals like those in herding populations, the indirect effects of acid rain can be significant. If acid rain damages the plant life in prairies and grasslands, it can reduce the available food sources for these animals, potentially impacting their health and survival.