Question

Explain any two impacts of Acid Rain.

Explain the impact of acid rain.

Answer 1

Acid rain has a wide-ranging impact. Some of the impacts are as follows:

1. Impact on Buildings and Monuments: Acid rain is corrosive. It corrodes buildings, monuments, other metals and rock structures, structures containing limestone or marble rocks are particularly corroded by acid rain.
2. Impact on Human Health: Acid causes irritation in eyes and skin. It reduces visibility and causes disorders in the respiratory system. It may lead to bronchitis and lung cancer. Drinking water containing acid rain leads to food poisoning. Acids in lakes and streams dissolve metals and form toxic chemicals which cause health hazards. 
3. Impact on Wildlife: Acid build up in lakes disrupts the reproduction of aquatic animals. There is loss and alteration of food and habitat for wildlife.
4. Impact on Trees: Acids may damage or destroy plants by reducing fertility of soil. Acid rain causes damage to leaves and loss of sensitive plants. 
5. Impact on microorganisms: A long run of acid rain causes shifts in the community structure of microorganisms. Useful micro-organisms in soil may be replaced by disease causing fungi.