The Acid Rain we refer to today is very different than it was millions of years ago. For the past century, Acid Rain has become more acidic due to the larger amounts of sulfur dioxide being released into the atmosphere. This sulfur dioxide is released from many energy producing processes, including the burning of coal and fossil fuels. "When humans burn fossil fuels, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into the atmosphere," and when these two compounds mix in the atmosphere along with water, they create sulfuric acid and carbonic acid (National Geographic, "Acid Rain: Effects Felt Through the Food Chain"). While carbonic acid does not cause as much damage on its own, such as forming small amounts of rocks, sulfuric acid can accomplish much more. So naturally when the two are mixed, they can create large amounts of devastation. Acid Rain is very acidic and can damage many portions of the environment.
One effect on the environment it causes is damage to our ecosystems. "After much analysis, researchers now know that acid rain causes slower growth, injury, or death of forests. Acid rain has been implicated in forest and soil degradation in many areas of the eastern U.S."(U.S. EPA, "Effects of Acid Rain - Forests"). Trees, plants, bushes, and many other forms of vegetation can be damaged due to acid rain, and this causes many issues. While Acid Rain can cause slower growth, injury, and even death in plant life, it also has other effects on the ecosystems. When acid rain falls, it leaves behind harmful chemicals in our soil. This causes issues with our crops and forests, causing the new plant life to either wilt away or even get infected, and destroy entire areas. While in some cases, these acidic chemicals may not kill the crop or forest, if a harvester were to collect enough contaminated plants, it could damage or even cripple our food sources and markets, not to mention the damage it could do to the wildlife in the area.
When acid rain falls, excess chemicals can run off into streams and rivers, causing damage to the rivers, and can even contaminate our water sources. In some cases, entire towns have lost their water sources due to this fact, and to make it worse, the chemicals in the water can be carried long distances, making it so these toxic chemicals can damage surrounding areas and their soil compositions as well. So not only does it damage the areas it lands in, it can also damage other parts of the ecosystem.
One effect on the environment it causes is damage to our ecosystems. "After much analysis, researchers now know that acid rain causes slower growth, injury, or death of forests. Acid rain has been implicated in forest and soil degradation in many areas of the eastern U.S."(U.S. EPA, "Effects of Acid Rain - Forests"). Trees, plants, bushes, and many other forms of vegetation can be damaged due to acid rain, and this causes many issues. While Acid Rain can cause slower growth, injury, and even death in plant life, it also has other effects on the ecosystems. When acid rain falls, it leaves behind harmful chemicals in our soil. This causes issues with our crops and forests, causing the new plant life to either wilt away or even get infected, and destroy entire areas. While in some cases, these acidic chemicals may not kill the crop or forest, if a harvester were to collect enough contaminated plants, it could damage or even cripple our food sources and markets, not to mention the damage it could do to the wildlife in the area.
When acid rain falls, excess chemicals can run off into streams and rivers, causing damage to the rivers, and can even contaminate our water sources. In some cases, entire towns have lost their water sources due to this fact, and to make it worse, the chemicals in the water can be carried long distances, making it so these toxic chemicals can damage surrounding areas and their soil compositions as well. So not only does it damage the areas it lands in, it can also damage other parts of the ecosystem.