which impact on the physical environment does acid rain cause?

Question

conversion of land to agriculture

increased tree death

smog

depletion of groundwater

Answer 1

Acid rain primarily leads to increased tree death and can negatively impact various elements of the physical environment. Here's how each of the options is related to acid rain:

1. Conversion of land to agriculture: While this can impact the environment, it's not a direct effect of acid rain.

2. Increased tree death: This is a significant impact of acid rain. Acid rain can harm trees by leaching important nutrients from the soil, damaging leaves, and affecting root systems, ultimately leading to increased mortality rates in forests.

3. Smog: Acid rain itself does not directly cause smog, but the pollutants that lead to acid rain, such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), can contribute to the formation of smog under certain atmospheric conditions.

4. Depletion of groundwater: Acid rain can infiltrate into groundwater systems, but it does not directly lead to groundwater depletion. However, it can affect the quality of groundwater by introducing harmful levels of acidity and toxic metals.

Therefore, among the listed options, increased tree death is the most direct consequence of acid rain on the physical environment.