The effect of acid rain on seedling germination
By Lily and Zeenat
4th May 2017

Question

How does acid rain effect seedling germination(bean seeds)

Hypothesis

The bean seeds being watered with acid rain will begin to dry up, lose colour, start cracking and stop growing

Aim

To test whether acid rain will have an effect on seedling germination

Introduction

When sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides incorporate into rain, snow or mist, the result is acid precipitation. Acid rain is particularly deadly to green growing things, impacting forest health, farmers' livelihood and the world's precious food supply.

Diminished Soil Nutrients
As acid rain falls onto soil, it may reduce in acidity because of contact with alkaline or basic substances such as limestone or calcium carbonate. The acid may also be simply immobilized if the sulfate or nitrate ions of the sulfuric and nitric acids are retained in soil or vegetation. The interaction of acid rain with soil is bad for any plants trying to grow there. Hydrogen ions from the acid deposits displace the calcium, magnesium and potassium, leaching them from the soil and making them unavailable to the plants that need them. Acid can also mobilize the aluminum ions that were previously a harmless part of aluminum hydroxide. These