Acid rain quietly poisons forests from the ground up

Acid rain devastates forests by subtly altering soil chemistry, making the ground too acidic for healthy tree growth. This happens when industrial pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides mix with atmospheric water, forming acids that fall as rain. In the soil, these acids strip away vital nutrients like calcium and magnesium, while releasing harmful metals such as aluminum. Trees absorb these toxins, weakening them and making them vulnerable to disease, insects, and drought.