Final answer:
The impact of soil acidity on the color of plant blooms exemplifies the environmental influence of the type of soil, with the availability of aluminum and the application of Le Chatelier's principle playing crucial roles in the coloration changes observed in plants like hydrangeas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The acidity of the soil can cause a plant to have specific colors of blooms. This is an example of an environmental influence known as the type of soil. The color change in flowers, such as those of hydrangeas, is affected by soil pH and the availability of aluminum. When the soil is acidic, aluminum becomes more soluble and available for plants to absorb, leading to a blue color in hydrangea flowers as aluminum ions interact with anthocyanin pigments in the plants. Conversely, in more basic or alkaline soils, where aluminum is less soluble, hydrangea flowers can appear red. Gardeners often use this knowledge to adjust the pH level of their soil, thereby altering the bloom colors, an application of Le Chatelier's principle to shift the equilibrium of aluminum solubility.