Q37-12TYU
Question
Acid precipitation has an abnormally high concentration of hydrogen ions (H+). One effect of acid precipitation is to deplete the soil of nutrients such as calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), and magnesium (Mg2+). Suggest a hypothesis to explain how acid precipitation washes these nutrients from the soil. How might you test your hypothesis?
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedThe acid contains hydrogen (H+) ion, which washes away nutrients in the soil through acid precipitation.
Adding a substance high in H+ and without an H+ ion to the soil can test the hypothesis.
Acid precipitation, commonly known as acid rain, is any precipitation that contains acidic components and falls to the ground from the atmosphere. The acid rain seeps into the ground and washes away nutrients that are required by the trees.
Acid rain has a high acid content which discharges an excessive amount of hydrogen ions into the soil. The hydrogen ions leach out the nutrients in the soil; this means the nutrients are washed deeper into the soil or out of the topsoil.
When these nutrients are leached from the soil, the roots are unable to use them, causing the plant to suffer.
The hypothesis can be tested by mixing a chemical with a high concentration of hydrogen ions in soil and with a substance that does not contain hydrogen ions and comparing the outcomes.