Biologist Questions by Holly R.

What effect does acid rain have on trees and soil?

Acid rain effects trees because it reacts with nutrients in the soil that the trees need, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This damages the growing fruit and weakens the roots and limbs on the trees. It exposes trees and other plants to dangers of being blown down or breaking under the weight of the snow.

Effects of acid rain on trees.

How does the effect of acid rain on trees and soild affect us?

Acid rain can damage the crops that grow in the soil. Acid rain dissolves aluminum ions in the soil, making the trees  defoliate and then die.

What happens when lakes and aquatic systems become acidic?

Lakes that have been acidified cannot support a large variety of life. As lakes become more acidic, cray fish and clams are the first to die, followed by various other types of fish. Many types of plankton-minute organisms that form the basis of the lake's food chain-are also effected. As more fish die, so do loons and other water birds that feed on them. The lakes do not die completely however, some life forms actually benefit from increased acidity, such as lake-bottom plans, mosses and black fly larval.

How does acidic water systems affect us?

The acidic water kills most of the fish living in the lakes, and the birds that feed on them. This dramatically effects the environment surrounding the lakes and the safety of the lakes for humans.

Even fish are affected by acid rain.

Are the acquatic systems in our area being affected by acid rain? If yes, to what extent?

Yes, some of the aquatic systems are being effected by acid rain, but not to a a major extent.

What are the danger signs of the effect of acid rain on aquatic systems?

Bio-indicators are useful because they are telltale signs of impending environmental problems. Early effects of pollution initially occur at the lower levels of biological organization. Changes in genes, cells, tissues, body chemical processes, and basic body functions appear before more severe disturbances occur in populations and ecosystems. These biochemical and molecular effects can be detected as changes in enzyme levels, in structure of cell membranes and in genetic material or DNA. Changes at these sub cellular levels induce a series of structural and functional responses at the next level of biological organization. For example, complex processes such as hormonal regulation, metabolism, and immune system responses can be impaired. These effects may eventually alter the organism's ability to grow, reproduce or even survive. All these measurable changes serve as bio-indicators of pollutant stress. They provide early warning of environmental damage.