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Explain the effects of air pollution on animals, plants and non-living things

      

Explain the effects of air pollution on animals, plants and non-living things.

  

Answers


Mutiso
i) Effects of air pollution on plants
In order to grow healthy, plants need clean air. Polluted air affects plants in the following ways:
• Leaves are covered with dust particle and thus blocking the sunlight and so affecting photosynthesis, the process by which plants make their own food. Soot and dust block the stomata this may affects plants.
• Some waste gases such as sulphur dioxide dissolve in water droplets to form acidic solutions which damage leaves of plants. Presence of these gases in the air could also lead to formation of acid rain which make the soil to be acidic thus affecting the availability of nutrients to plants. High acidity on the soil may interfere with the survival of organisms that are very important to plants growth. When absorbed through root s, acid rain interferes with proper development of plant and it may wither and die. When deposited in water sources like pond, lakes and oceans, water plants that feed on water animals are affected.

ii) Effects of air pollution on animals
Air pollution is a threat to humans, domestic and wild animals through the following ways:
• Causes respiratory problems. When animals inhale dust and other harmful gases, they can develop respiratory such as coughing and sneezing which may result to respiratory diseases.
• May cause allergies resulting in coughing, sneezing, irritation of eyes and breathing problems.
• When acid rain gets deposited into water sources like lakes, ponds, and oceans, water animals e.g. fish are affected.

b) Effects of air pollution on non-living things
• Sulphur and carbon dioxide are among gases that cause air pollution when dissolved in the rain water. They form acid rain which corrodes metals such as corrugated iron sheets and stones like marble.
• Acid rain causes weathering of rocks.
• The view of environment is also destroyed by smoke and smog which are a mixture of gas particles.
• Smog destroys materials made of rubber too.
• Dust particles soil our clothes and settle on surface of tables, window sills and furniture thus making then dirty.
Mutiso answered the question on October 8, 2018 at 05:27


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