EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Acid rain can leach copper, aluminum, and other heavy metals out of the soil and into runoff and drinking water. This process in turn puts more harmful materials in the water and soil, thus reducing the populations of organisms in the waterbody or soil.

Detailed explanation-2: -Acid rain can also corrode bronze and other metals, such as nickel, zinc, copper, and carbon-steel, as evidenced by streaks and discoloration on bridges and other metal structures, such as many commercial buildings. Not all buildings or structures suffer the effects of acid rain.

Detailed explanation-3: -Acid rain is thought to be acidifying soils and freshwaters, dissolving and releasing aluminum in concentrations toxic to fish and plants. Acid rain is also thought to be leaching nutrients from soils, thereby lowering their fertility.

Detailed explanation-4: -Normal, clean rain has a pH value of between 5.0 and 5.5, which is slightly acidic. However, when rain combines with sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides-produced from power plants and automobiles-the rain becomes much more acidic. Typical acid rain has a pH value of 4.0.