how does acid rain affect plant growth?

Question

do you know what could affect it?

Answer 1

Acid rain (or more accurately acid precipitation)[1] occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere, undergo chemical transformations and are absorbed by water droplets in clouds. The droplets then fall to earth as rain, snow, or sleet. This can increase the acidity of the soil, and affect the chemical balance of lakes and streams.[2] The term "acid rain" is sometimes used more generally to include all forms of acid deposition - both wet deposition, where acidic gases and particles are removed by rain or other precipitation, and dry deposition removal of gases and particles to the Earth's surface in the absence of precipitation.[3]



Adverse effects
Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts on forests, freshwaters and soils as well as causing damage to buildings and having possible impacts on human health.




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Surface Waters and Aquatic Animals
Both the lower pH and higher aluminium concentrations in surface water that occur as a result of acid rain can cause damage to fish and other aquatic animals. At pHs lower than 5 most fish eggs will not hatch and lower pHs can kill adult fish. As lakes become more acidic biodiversity is reduced.[10]

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Soils
Soil biology can be seriously damaged by acid rain. Some tropical microbes can quickly consume acids[11] but other types of microbe are unable to tolerate low pHs and are killed. The enzymes of these microbes are denatured (changed in shape so they no longer function) by the acid. The hydronium ions of acid rain also mobilize toxins and leach away essential nutrients and minerals [12].

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Forests and other vegetation
Acid rain can slow the growth of forests, cause leaves and needles to turn brown and fall off and die. In extreme cases trees or whole areas of forest can die. The death of trees is not usually a direct result of acid rain, often it weakens trees and makes them more susceptible to other threats. Damage to soils (see above) can also cause problems. High altitude forests are especially vulnerable as they are often surrounded by clouds and fog which are more acid than rain.[12]

Other plants can also be damaged by acid rain but the effect on food crops is minimised by the application of fertilizers to replace lost nutrients. Limestone may also be added to increase the ability of the soil to keep the pH stable.[12]

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Human health
Some scientists have suggested direct links to human health, but none have been proven.[2]. However, fine particles a large fraction of which are formed from the same gases as acid rain (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide) have been shown to cause illness and premature deaths [13]. For more information on the health effects of aerosol see: Particulate#Health_effects.

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Other adverse effects
Acid rain also can damage to certain building materials and historical monuments. Acid rain can cause erosion on ancient and valuable statues and has caused considerable damage. This is because the sulfuric acid in the rain chemically reacts with the calcium in the stones (limestone, sandstone, marble and granite) to create gypsum, which then flakes off. This is also commonly seen on old gravestones where the acid rain can cause the inscription to become completely illegible. Acid rain also causes an increased rate of oxidation for iron. [14]. Visibility is also reduced by sulfate and nitrate in the atmosphere.[15]

hopes this help.

Answer 2

Depends on the plant. Plants have a specific pH they grow best at, and a range of pH at which they can live.

Most plants, however, cannot tolerate prolonged acid rain, and will have their growth stunted by it, and some will outright die. Plants are a lot tougher than animals for the most part though, so I don't worry about the effects of acid rain on them too much.

Answer 3

Acid rain can slow down the plants growth and can even burn plants to death by burning it's leaves stem etc. THIS HAPPENS THROUGH CHEMICAL REACTIONS. Acid rain is made from fumes being emitted into the atmosphere then coming back down as acid rain :)