Question

Due to acid rain, the pH of soil in your backyard will be _____________.
(A) Less than 7
(B) Greater than 7
(C) Equal to 7
(D) Equal to or greater than 7

Answer 1

Hint: As we know that acid rain is also known as acid decomposition which includes precipitation of acidic components. This mainly includes sulphuric acid (${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$) and nitric acid ($HN{{O}_{3}}$). This acid rain can be in the form of rain, snow, dust, hail or fog. So here we have to tell the effect of acid rain on soil.

Complete answer:
Let us discuss about acid rain and its effects on soil as follows:-
-Acid rain: It is also called acid decomposition and it includes precipitation of acidic components. The acids which are mainly involved in acid rain are sulphuric acid (${{H}_{2}}S{{O}_{4}}$) and nitric acid ($HN{{O}_{3}}$). This rain has a very low pH level due to the elevated concentration of hydrogen ions (${{H}^{+}}$).
-It is mainly caused by the emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gas released from factories and vehicles that react with the water molecules in the atmosphere so as to produce acids. Acid rain has adverse effects on forests, soil and freshwaters as well as it contributes in killing insects and aquatic life-forms. -
-It enters soil and acidifies it. It decreases the pH level of soil which degrades the quality of soil. It also enters various plant forms and damages their growth or dries them out. The pH of normal soil ranges from 6.6 to 7.5 but acid rain seeps into it which increases the concentration of hydrogen ions that leads to the lowering of pH.
-If the leaves of plants are green and look healthy, the soil pH is in normal range and if the plant leaves have yellowish colour between the veins on their leaves, this means that plant is suffering from acidification and the soil has very low pH level than 7.

Therefore the pH of soil in your backyard due to acid rain will be (A) Less than 7.

Note:
-Remember that acid rain also causes corrosion of steel structures like bridges and weathering of stone buildings. It also has harsh impacts on human health as well.
-Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide is also produced through volcanic eruptions.