Chemistry and Effects of Acid Rain

Acid rain is a great danger to the environment. It is harmful to underwater animals and other creatures. Most lakes and streams have pH values ​​between 6 and 8. When acid rain hits water, the pH goes down and the water becomes acidic. The soils of these lakes and streams are capable of neutralizing the soil's acidity. This is called buffer capacity. However, if the pH is too low, this neutralization is not sufficient to maintain a balanced level. When water becomes too acidic, it dissolves harmful substances in soil such as aluminum and releases it into water.

Impact on soil: Acid rain greatly affects soil chemistry and biology. This means that the soil chemical composition such as soil microorganisms, biological activity, soil pH and the like may be destroyed or reversed by acid rain. Soil must maintain optimum pH level to maintain continuity of bioactivity. When acid rain infiltrates the soil, the pH of the soil rises, which means that the biological and chemical activities of the soil are destroyed or reversed. So sensitive soil microorganisms that can not adapt to changes in pH are killed. High soil acidity also denies soil microbial enzymes. Hydrogen ions of the same width and acid rain will see important minerals and nutrients such as calcium and magnesium.

Acid rain has a serious effect on soil chemistry and biology. It is often destroyed or changed due to the influence of soil chemical constituents such as acid rain, soil microorganism, biological activity, soil pH and so on. Soil must maintain optimum pH to allow biological activity to prosper. Therefore, every time acid rain penetrates the soil, the optimum pH changes, thereby reversing chemical and biological activity. Therefore, sensitive soil microorganisms that can not adapt to pH change are killed and soil microbial enzymes are denatured. Higher acidity also elutes important minerals and nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. As a result, the soil loses its quality and composition, making it impossible to support plant life and soil microorganisms.