As a result, these areas are particularly vulnerable and the acid and aluminum can accumulate in the soil, streams, or lakes.

In areas such as mountainous parts of the Northeast United States, the soil is thin and lacks the ability to adequately neutralize the acid in the rain water. This capacity depends on the thickness and composition of the soil and the type of bedrock underneath it. Many forests, streams, and lakes that experience acid rain donвЂ™t suffer effects because the soil in those areas can buffer the acid rain by neutralizing the acidity in the rainwater flowing through it. The trees are then less able to absorb sunlight, which makes them weak and less able to withstand freezing temperatures. Acid rain also removes minerals and nutrients from the soil that trees need to grow.ДЄt high elevations, acidic fog and clouds might strip nutrients from treesвЂ™ foliage, leaving them with brown or dead leaves and needles. That aluminum may be harmful to plants as well as animals. Acid rain leaches aluminum from the soil. Effects of Acid Rain on Plants and TreesДead or dying trees are a common sight in areas effected by acid rain.

For example, frogs have a critical pH around 4, but the mayflies they eat are more sensitive and may not survive pH below 5.5. Even if a species of fish or animal can tolerate moderately acidic water, the animals or plants it eats might not. Generally, the young of most species are more sensitive to environmental conditions than adults. Others, however, are acid-sensitive and will be lost as the pH declines. Some types of plants and animals are able to tolerate acidic waters and moderate amounts of aluminum. The more acid that is introduced to the ecosystem, the more aluminum is released.

As it flows through the soil, acidic rain water can leach aluminum from soil clay particles and then flow into streams and lakes. The ecological effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in aquatic environments, such as streams, lakes, and marshes where it can be harmful to fish and other wildlife. Effects of Acid Rain on Fish and Wildlife If something harms one part of an ecosystem вЂ“ one species of plant or animal, the soil or the water вЂ“ it can have an impact on everything else. Not all fish, shellfish, or the insects that they eat can tolerate the same amount of acid.ДЄn ecosystem is a community of plants, animals and other organisms along with their environment including the air, water and soil. This figure illustrates the pH level at which key organisms may be lost as their environment becomes more acidic.

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