Acid rain significantly exacerbates pollution by releasing toxic substances into the environment and damaging ecosystems.
Acid rain, caused by pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, has several detrimental effects on pollution levels:
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Acidification of Water Bodies: Acid rain increases the acidity of lakes and streams, making them toxic to aquatic life. This is because higher acidity leads to the release of aluminum from the soil into the water. As stated in the reference, "[Acid rain] makes such waters more acidic, which results in more aluminum absorption from soil, which is carried into lakes and streams. That combination makes waters toxic to aquatic animals."
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Soil Degradation: Acid rain depletes essential nutrients from the soil, such as calcium and magnesium, which are vital for plant growth. This degradation affects entire ecosystems, weakening forests and agricultural lands.
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Release of Heavy Metals: Acid rain can dissolve heavy metals present in soils and sediments, such as mercury and lead. These heavy metals then leach into water sources, contaminating drinking water and harming wildlife.
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Damage to Infrastructure: Acid rain corrodes buildings, monuments, and other structures, leading to material degradation and the release of harmful particles into the air.
In summary, acid rain intensifies pollution by mobilizing toxic substances, damaging ecosystems, and degrading infrastructure, ultimately posing risks to both environmental and human health.
