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Cloud

Unit 6 - Atmospheric Systems & Societies

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Globe Showing Europe Africa

Unit 1 - Foundations Of Environmental Systems & Societies

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Herb

Unit 2 - Ecosystems & Ecology

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Flexed Biceps

Unit 3 - Biodiversity & Conservation

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Writing Hand

Unit 4 -Water & Aquatic Food Production Systems & Societies

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Deciduous Tree

Unit 5 - Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

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Thermometer

Unit 7 - Climate Change & Energy Production

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Briefcase

Unit 8 - Human Systems & Resource Use

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Bar-Chart

Internal Assessment

<ul>
	<li>Soil Acidification</li>
	<li>Water Acidification</li>
	<li>Biodiversity Impact</li>
</ul>

Picture this: every time it rains, tiny soldiers of iron and aluminium from soils get washed away into streams and lakes. It&#39;s like a crazy water slide for them, except the after-effects aren&#39;t all fun and games.

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Why is this important, you might wonder? Well, it&#39;s because this process makes water more acidic. How? These metals, iron and aluminium, are acidic in nature.

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Think of lemonade - too much lemon (which is acidic), and your drink becomes too sour, right? The same thing happens with water; too much iron and aluminium, and our waters become more acidic.

Did you know that in places like Canada and the eastern USA, over 48,000 lakes are more acidic than a lemon-gone-wild lemonade? Yep, you heard it right! So acidic, in fact, that fish can&#39;t survive in them.

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Imagine you&#39;re a fish, happily swimming along in your home (the lake), when suddenly, your home turns into a vat of lemonade. Ouch, not fun, right?

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The process of water turning acidic due to factors like washing away of acidic metals from soil is what we call &#39;Water Acidification&#39;.

Now let&#39;s play a little game of dominoes. What happens when you push the first piece? It starts a chain reaction, knocking one piece after another, right?

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Similarly, in nature, everything is connected. When water acidification happens, it doesn&#39;t just stop at affecting fish. It&#39;s like that first domino piece - once it&#39;s tipped, it starts a series of reactions.

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Imagine this: the acid rain makes it hard for some plants to grow. These plants might be food for certain insects (secondary consumers). With less food around, these insects might not survive, reducing biodiversity (the variety of life in a particular habitat).

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Think of a garden without bees or butterflies - less colorful, right? That&#39;s the risk we face when biodiversity is threatened.

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So, in a nutshell, soil acidification leads to water acidification, which can potentially threaten biodiversity. It&#39;s a bit like a destructive domino effect in nature. Now that&#39;s food (or, um, lemonade?) for thought!

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Always remember, each one of us has a role to play in this story. As future environmental stewards, understanding these complex systems will equip us to make more sustainable choices.

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Happy studying!

Acid Rain's Domino Effect on Life

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Standard Level

Environmental Systems & Societies SL

Unit 6 - Atmospheric Systems & Societies

Acid Rain's Domino Effect on Life

Table of content

Key concepts

Soil acidification

Unlock the Full Content!

Unit 6 - Atmospheric Systems & Societies

Acid Rain's Domino Effect on Life

Table of content

Key concepts

Soil acidification

Unlock the Full Content!