Can air pollution affect water quality?

Answer 1

The best example of a direc link between air pollution and water pollution is acid rain.

Acidic gases (NOx and SOx) are emitted into the air by various sources. They combine with water in the air to form sulfurous and nitrous acids which then fall as rain or snow to contaminate water in rivers and lakes by decreasing the pH.

Bu it doesn't stop there, the acidic water leaches metals out of the rocks and sediments as soluble ions. These increase heavy metals (arsenic, lead) levels in the water.

But it doesn't stop there. The acidic, metal contaminated water cannot support many forms of life (in some cases any form of life) the waters become sterile with no creation of algae to oxygenate the water for any living creature except the most pollution tolerant.

Answer 2

Yes, air pollution can affect water quality through processes such as acid rain. Pollutants from the air, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, can dissolve in water droplets and form acid rain, which can lower the pH of water bodies and harm aquatic life. Additionally, airborne pollutants can deposit onto land and eventually make their way into water bodies, further compromising water quality.