Acid effects
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Effects of Acid on Various Systems
Acid Rain and Plant Growth
Impact on Aboveground and Belowground Plant Parts
Acid rain, primarily caused by anthropogenic emissions of acid gases, has significant inhibitory effects on plant growth. A comprehensive meta-analysis of 755 observations from 69 studies revealed that both aboveground and belowground parts of plants are affected, but they respond differently to acid rain. The acidity level and frequency of acid rain directly influence plant growth, with interactions between acid rain pH and other characteristics such as the mole ratio of sulfur to nitrogen and the initial soil pH playing crucial roles1.
Crop Yield Variability
Research on the effects of acidic precipitation on crops shows mixed results. While many crop species exhibit no significant changes in growth or yield, some crops are negatively affected, and others show positive responses. The variability in crop responses is attributed to differences in the level of acidity, amount and intensity of rain, and sulfur and nitrogen doses. This suggests that more complex experimental designs are needed to fully understand the subtle responses of agricultural systems to acidic precipitation2.
Acid Precipitation and Terrestrial Ecosystems
Soil and Vegetation Effects
Acid precipitation affects terrestrial ecosystems by altering soil chemistry and impacting vegetation. Studies have shown that acid rain can lead to long-term ecological deterioration, including metal-ion toxicity and changes in soil pH. These changes can affect the nutrient availability and overall health of terrestrial ecosystems3 7.
Aquatic Ecosystems
In regions like Norway, acid precipitation has severely damaged aquatic fauna, particularly fish populations. The acidification of freshwater bodies leads to reduced species diversity, shortened food chains, and erratic population levels of both zooplankton and phytoplankton. This highlights the broader ecological impacts of acid rain beyond terrestrial environments8.
Acidic Environments and Human Health
Air Pollution and Health Risks
The acidity of polluted atmospheres, primarily due to sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from fossil fuel combustion, poses potential health risks. Although there is circumstantial evidence from laboratory and controlled human exposure studies, the direct health impacts of acidic air pollutants remain under-researched. Further studies are needed to understand the public health implications fully5.
Bone Health
Acidic diets and environments can negatively impact bone health. Meta-analyses indicate that acidic diets increase net acid excretion and urinary calcium excretion, which can affect bone turnover markers and bone mineral density. Conversely, alkaline supplements have been shown to reduce these effects and improve bone mineral density, suggesting potential benefits for individuals with osteoporosis4 10.
Acidic Tumor Microenvironment
Cancer Development
The acidic microenvironment within tumors, resulting from high metabolic activity and poor perfusion, plays a critical role in cancer progression. The acidity affects genetic stability, cellular metabolism, and immune responses, promoting cancer cell survival and invasion. This complex interplay underscores the importance of the tumor microenvironment in cancer development and progression9.
Conclusion
The effects of acid on various systems are multifaceted and significant. From inhibiting plant growth and affecting crop yields to altering terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, acid precipitation poses a broad range of environmental challenges. Additionally, acidic environments can impact human health, particularly bone health and cancer progression. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of acid on our environment and health.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Effects of acid rain on plant growth: A meta-analysis.
Acid rain inhibits plant growth, with aboveground and belowground plant parts responding differently, and its effects vary depending on the acidity, rain interval, and interactions with other factors.
Meta-AnalysisAcidic Precipitation Effects on Crops: A Review and Analysis of Research
Acidic precipitation has minimal effects on crop growth and yield, with some species showing negative or positive responses, and more complex experimental designs and analyses are needed to understand subtle responses.
Literature Review
Highly CitedEffects of Acid Precipitation on Terrestrial Ecosystems.
Acid rain can cause long-term ecological deterioration in terrestrial ecosystems, with complexities in biogeochemical relationships and potential long-term ecological damage from metal-ion toxicity.
Highly CitedEffect of Acid or Base Interventions on Bone Health: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.
Alkaline supplements may be beneficial for bone metabolism, while acidic diets may not be harmful to bone health.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous JournalAcid air and health
Acid air pollution harms health, but more research is needed on the harmful effects of car emissions on nitric and nitrous acids.
Highly CitedThe effects of acids on a soil nematode
Mineral acids have greater toxic effects on soil nematodes than organic acids, with differences partly due to pH differences and the dissimilar effects of undissociated acids.
Effects of acid precipitation.
Acid precipitation from fossil fuel combustion negatively impacts ecosystems in the eastern U.S., with a focus on New York state and streams in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Highly CitedAcid Precipitation in Norway: Effects on Aquatic Fauna
Acid precipitation in Norwegian lakes and streams leads to severe damage to fish populations and invertebrate fauna, causing reduced species numbers, shortened food chains, and erratic population levels.
Highly CitedThe Acidic Tumor Microenvironment as a Driver of Cancer.
The acidity of the tumor microenvironment favors cancer development by affecting genetic stability, epigenetics, cellular metabolism, proliferation, and survival, ultimately leading to metastatic disease.
Highly Cited