Certainly, my curious researcher friend Muhammad Hassaan, I'd be delighted to discuss the effects of acid rain on plants and animals.

**Acid rain** refers to rain or any other form of precipitation that contains unusually high levels of sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids are primarily a result of emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, industrial processes, and vehicle emissions, which release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere. When these pollutants react with atmospheric moisture, they form acids that can be carried by the wind and fall to the Earth's surface in rain or snow.

My published papers on this subject are:

Article Formation of atmospheric nitrate under high Particulate Matt...

Article Atmospheric Environment, 37, 2003, 2005-2013, Investigations...

Both of these papers are highly cited.

**Effects on Plants**:

1. **Damage to Leaves:** Acid rain can cause direct damage to plant leaves. The acids can erode the waxy coating on leaves, which can make them more susceptible to disease, extreme temperatures, and other environmental stressors.

2. **Soil Acidification:** Acid rain can alter the pH of the soil, making it more acidic. This can negatively impact plant roots' ability to take up essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium, leading to nutrient deficiencies.

3. **Leaching of Aluminum:** Aluminum is toxic to plants in high concentrations. Acid rain can leach aluminum from the soil, and when it accumulates in plant roots, it can disrupt their ability to take up water and nutrients.

4. **Toxic Metal Mobilization:** Acid rain can mobilize other toxic metals, such as lead and mercury, in the soil, which can be absorbed by plants.

**Effects on Animals**:

1. **Aquatic Life:** Acid rain can have severe consequences for aquatic ecosystems. When acid rain falls into lakes and rivers, it can lower the water's pH, making it more acidic. This can harm aquatic life like fish, insects, and amphibians by disrupting their reproductive cycles and interfering with their ability to respire and maintain osmotic balance.

2. **Soil Organisms:** Acid rain can harm soil-dwelling organisms, such as earthworms, which play a critical role in maintaining soil structure and nutrient cycling.

3. **Terrestrial Wildlife:** While direct effects on terrestrial animals are less understood, the indirect impacts through changes in food sources and habitat quality can be significant.

My recent article can be interesting to read as well.

Chapter Air Pollution and Climate Change: Relationship Between Air Q...

In summary, the effects of acid rain on plants and animals can be detrimental. The acidity of the rain and its impact on soil and aquatic ecosystems can disrupt normal physiological processes and ecological interactions. Efforts to mitigate acid rain have included the reduction of emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which have had some success in reducing its prevalence in many areas. However, monitoring and continued efforts to reduce emissions are important to protect ecosystems from its harmful effects.