Question

Precipitation that has a pH lower than 5 will result in acid deposition. One result of this deposition has been damaged forests at high elevations in the southern Appalachian mountains. How would acid deposition cause this damage?

Answer 1

Acidic rain can damage the soil, leaves, and severely impact the air quality.

Step-by-step explanation:

• Acidic rain contains sulfur content which is quite harmful to the soil and air and decreasing their ability to photosynthesis, also this rain causes loss of critical nutrients from the soil.

• When lakes and streams become acidic they kill the fish population as they are sensitive to the acid reaction. These streams that are higher elevations receive a greater amount of rainfall as compared to the lower streams.

• The toxic rain causes aluminum, lead and other harmful chemicals to escape and mix with the soil layer deep below in additional the acid from the acidic clouds and fog that often surround them thus leading to a high concentration of acid deposits.