In the human-induced process called acid precipitation, the main biogeochemical cycles that are altered are the _____ cyucles and one effect in lakes is to ____ population of nitrifying bacteria.

Options

A. phosphorus and nitrogen, decrease
B. nitrogen and sulphur, decrease
C. nitrogen and sulphur, increase
D. phosphorus and sulphur, decrease

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the human-induced process called acid precipitation, we can break it down into a few steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Acid Precipitation**:
- Acid precipitation refers to rain, snow, or any other form of precipitation that has a pH level of less than 5. This is primarily caused by the release of acidic gases into the atmosphere.

2. **Identifying the Gases Involved**:
- The main gases responsible for acid precipitation are sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ). These gases are emitted from sources such as thermal power plants, industries, and automobiles.

3. **Chemical Transformation**:
- Once in the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are converted into sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃), which contribute to the acidity of the precipitation.

4. **Impact on Biogeochemical Cycles**:
- The main biogeochemical cycles that are altered due to acid precipitation are the nitrogen cycle and the sulfur cycle. Acid rain affects the availability of nutrients and alters the natural processes within these cycles.

5. **Effect on Nitrifying Bacteria**:
- One of the significant effects of acid precipitation is the decrease in the population of nitrifying bacteria. These bacteria are crucial for the nitrogen cycle as they convert ammonia into nitrates, which are essential for plant growth. Acidic conditions can be detrimental to their survival and reproduction.

6. **Final Answer**:
- Therefore, the answer to the question is: "In the human-induced process called acid precipitation, the main biogeochemical cycles that are altered are the nitrogen and sulfur cycles, and one effect in lakes is to decrease the population of nitrifying bacteria."