Final answer:
The effects of acid include decreased pH levels and harmful impacts on living organisms and the environment, such as damage caused by acid rain to lakes, streams, forests, and buildings. Acids can also result in ocean acidification from industrial pollutants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Acids on pH Levels and the Environment
Acids are substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, resulting in a pH lower than 7. When discussing the effects of acid, it’s important to understand that an increase in hydronium ion concentration will actually decrease the pH level of a substance, making it more acidic. The most appropriate answer to the question concerning the effects of acid is B: “Acid can have harmful effects on living organisms and the environment.”
Acidic environments can harm living organisms, such as the strong hydrochloric acid in our stomachs, which necessitates a lining of mucus to prevent damage to the stomach lining. Furthermore, acid rain can lead to the acidification of lakes and streams, damage forests, and erode buildings and monuments. Substances with a higher pH from industrial pollutants can also cause ocean acidification when draining into the ocean.
The ecological impact of acid rain is also notable, as it affects watersheds with low buffering capacities, releases toxic aluminum into aquatic systems, and contributes to various forms of environmental stress.