Final answer:
Acid rain negatively impacts lakes and streams, forest health, and reduces crop yields, while also damaging cultural heritage monuments and posing public health risks through degraded air quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effects of Acid Rain
Acid rain poses a significant threat to the natural environment, historical monuments, and human health. Primarily, acid rain causes lakes and streams to become acidic, negatively affecting aquatic life. Sensitive bodies of water, particularly those with limited buffering capacity, can't neutralize the acid, leading to the dissolution of toxic aluminum into the waters which is harmful to many aquatic species.
Moreover, forests are degraded as acid rain depletes soil nutrients, making trees more susceptible to stresses such as drought and insect infestation.
On agricultural lands, acid rain can lead to reduced crop yields by altering soil chemistry and nutrient availability. Additionally, cultural heritage suffers as acid rain corrodes irreplaceable structures and statues, especially those made from materials like marble or limestone.
The visibility degradation and public health concerns arise from the airborne precursors of acid rain, sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which form harmful particulates such as sulfates and nitrates before precipitation.