Effects on Aquatic Life and Surface Waters

Acid rain also affects aquatic life and surface waters, by changing the pH level in bodies of water.  When there is a high amount of sulfuric acid, it interferes with a fish’s ability to take in nutrients, salt, and oxygen.  For freshwater fish, this acid affects their ability to maintain a balance between minerals and salts in their tissues, which the need to survive.  This acid also results in mucus forming in their gills, causing them to not get adequate amounts of oxygen.  This change in pH level impairs some of the fish’s ability to maintain their calcium levels, causes an imbalance of salt in their tissues, and impairs the reproduction ability of the fish.

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