What is one global impact of acid rain?

The global impact of acid rain is significant, and one of the most concerning effects is its ability to reduce biodiversity by killing sensitive species. Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the atmosphere, typically from industrial processes and vehicle emissions. These compounds can react with water vapor to form sulfuric and nitric acids, which then fall to the ground as precipitation.

When acid rain enters aquatic ecosystems, it leads to lower pH levels in lakes and streams, which can be detrimental to wildlife. Many aquatic organisms, such as fish and amphibians, have specific pH ranges in which they can survive and thrive. As pH levels decrease due to acidification, these sensitive species may struggle to adapt; their reproductive cycles can be disrupted, and they may suffer from physiological stress, resulting in population decline or even extinction.

The reduction in biodiversity can have cascading effects on ecosystems. For instance, if a particular species is lost, it can disrupt food webs and ecological balances, leading to further declines in other species that depend on it. This loss of biodiversity not only affects natural ecosystems but can also impact human activities, such as fishing and tourism, that depend on healthy and diverse environments.

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