How does air pollution affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems?

Air pollution negatively impacts terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by disrupting food chains, reducing biodiversity, and causing diseases.

Air pollution, primarily caused by the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere, has a significant impact on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These pollutants can be carried by wind and rain to terrestrial ecosystems, affecting the quality of soil and plant life. For instance, acid rain, a result of sulphur and nitrogen emissions, can lead to soil acidification. This alters the pH level of the soil, making it unsuitable for many plant species, thus disrupting the food chain and reducing biodiversity.

Moreover, air pollutants can also cause or exacerbate diseases in plants. For example, ground-level ozone, a common air pollutant, can cause leaf damage in plants, reducing their ability to photosynthesise and grow. This not only affects the individual plant but also the organisms that rely on these plants for food and habitat, potentially leading to a decline in species populations.

Aquatic ecosystems are not immune to the effects of air pollution either. Pollutants can be deposited into bodies of water through atmospheric deposition, a process where pollutants are transferred from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. This can lead to water acidification, similar to soil acidification, which can harm aquatic life. For instance, acidified water can cause harm to fish and other aquatic organisms by damaging their gills, making it difficult for them to breathe and survive.

Furthermore, air pollution can contribute to the phenomenon of eutrophication. This occurs when excess nutrients, often from air pollution, enter bodies of water and cause a rapid growth of algae, known as an algal bloom. These blooms can deplete the water of oxygen, creating a 'dead zone' where aquatic life cannot survive. This not only reduces biodiversity in the water but can also disrupt the food chain, as organisms higher up the food chain may lose their primary food source.

In conclusion, air pollution poses a significant threat to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It disrupts food chains, reduces biodiversity, and causes diseases, all of which can have far-reaching impacts on the health and sustainability of these ecosystems.