In an ecosystem, everything has an effect on something, much like in a chain reaction. When acid rain falls from the sky, it reaches all parts of an ecosystem inflicting great changes for those who live in, around, or depend on that ecosystem. Some of the first things affected by acid rain are the soil and bodies of water in an ecosystem. Once either of these things are penetrated, everything is harmed.
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When acid rain seeps into the ground, it spreads through out root systems that carry this acidic precipitation to the plant or tree they come from. Most plants can withstand pH levels from 5.5 to 7.0 while acid rain tends to have a value between 5.0 and 5.5. Even though the rain is more acidic, it's usually not strong enough to kill plants or trees. Instead, it hurts the leaves of those plants by preventing them from being able to obtain the nutrients needed to stay healthy. The image to the left shows two tree branches before and after exposure to acid rain.
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Acid rain can also leach in to ground water and build up in lakes and rivers. Pure water has a pH level around 7.0, but the rage of lakes and rivers are generally a bit more acidic than that. Although most aquatic animals can handle higher pH levels than water, not all can. For example, many shell fish have difficulty forming strong shells in bodies of water with higher pH levels. The image to the right shows the difference in shells formed in water with a safe pH level and shells formed in water with an abnormally high pH level. As acid rain has an effect on creatures living in bodies of water, it also has an effect on those living on the water. Animals that drink from or soak in the polluted water are poisoned too.
Acid rain has an overall massive impact on any community. Sick trees can cause a disruption in the food chain for the animals in that ecosystem. For humans, sick trees and a lack of animals means a lack of building material and food. Without those basic necessities, nothing can survive.
Acid rain has an overall massive impact on any community. Sick trees can cause a disruption in the food chain for the animals in that ecosystem. For humans, sick trees and a lack of animals means a lack of building material and food. Without those basic necessities, nothing can survive.
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It's imperative to know the signs of damage caused by acid rain. changes in the appearance of a tree's leaves and most importantly changed in animals and the general food chain of any ecosystem are key. It's pretty clear when a plant is dying, but finding indicators in animals is a bit trickier. Often times the cells and tissues of different species change, altering the creatures' DNA. On a more basic level, it's rather easy to observe changes in animal behavior. Acid rain is like poison to many living things, and it's important to identify theses changes early in order to stop the damage.
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There are many organizations across the globe researching new ways to help mend the damage acid rain has caused. It's important for the common people to do everything they can to pollute less. Stop littering and start cleaning up after yourselves. Don't say no when someone offers you a ride. little things like carpooling can have a big positive impact on the world as a whole.