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1. What is acid rain, and how does it form?
- Answer: Acid rain is a type of precipitation that contains high levels of
sulfuric and nitric acids. It forms when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
are released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels and industrial
processes, where they react with water vapor and oxygen.
2. What are the environmental impacts of acid rain on aquatic ecosystems?
- Answer: Acid rain can lower the pH levels of lakes and rivers, making
them more acidic. This can harm aquatic wildlife such as fish and
amphibians, and disrupt the balance of various species in the ecosystem.
3. How does acid rain affect the soil and vegetation in terrestrial
ecosystems?
- Answer: Acid rain can leach essential nutrients from the soil, making it
less fertile and inhibiting plant growth. It can also damage vegetation by
causing leaf necrosis and stunted growth.
4. Describe the process of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic
organisms exposed to acid rain.
- Answer: Heavy metals such as mercury and lead can be released into the
environment during acid rain events, where they accumulate in the tissues
of aquatic organisms. As these organisms are consumed by predators, the
heavy metals biomagnify up the food chain, leading to toxic effects on
higher trophic levels.
5. How can acid rain be mitigated through environmental management
strategies?
- Answer: Acid rain can be reduced by implementing emissions controls
on industrial sources of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, switching to
cleaner energy sources, and restoring damaged ecosystems through liming
and nutrient supplementation.
6. What are the physiological adaptations of brine shrimp to survive in
extreme salinity conditions?
- Answer: Brine shrimp have specialized ion transport mechanisms in their
cells that allow them to regulate their internal osmolarity in response to
changes in external salinity. They also produce protective compounds
such as glycerol to prevent desiccation and osmotic stress.
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