Freshwater Lakes
Acid rain can affect freshwater lakes and the plants and animals which live in them. Although lakes can withstand a certain amount of acid rain, after a while, their acidity will increase. When this happens, the water in the lake can turn a clear blue due to a loss of organic matter which is usually dissolved in the water. The range of plants and animals usually decreases. Some of the organisms affected by acidified water include leeches, snails, crayfish, many species of insect, salmon and trout. Others like rushes, pike and eel are more resistant to acidic water.
To combat the effects of acid rain on freshwater lakes, lime can be sprayed onto the water surface. This reduces acidity and reduces the damage done to wildlife.
| Freshwater acidification |
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