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.