What are the effects of acid rain?

Acid rain has significant adverse effects on the environment, particularly on plant life and aquatic ecosystems. When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere, they can react with water vapor to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids can then fall to the ground during precipitation, leading to lower pH levels in soil and water bodies.

The damage to plant life occurs because the acidity of the rain can negatively affect the nutrient availability in the soil and can directly harm the foliage of plants, leading to reduced growth and vitality. Additionally, lakes and rivers that experience acid rain can suffer from lowered pH levels, which can harm fish and other aquatic life, leading to severe ecological imbalances.

In contrast, while some choices suggest potential benefits, the realities of acid rain are that it primarily leads to environmental degradation rather than enhancement. Therefore, understanding the harmful impacts of acid rain explains why it primarily damages plant life and lakes.