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Questions and Answers
What is acid precipitation?
What is acid precipitation?
Precipitation that contains high concentrations of acids, often due to atmospheric pollution.
What does the pH scale measure?
What does the pH scale measure?
The acidity or alkalinity of a system.
What is acid shock?
What is acid shock?
The sudden runoff of large amounts of highly acidic water into lakes and streams.
How does the pH of pure water compare with that of acid precipitation?
How does the pH of pure water compare with that of acid precipitation?
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Explain how acid precipitation forms.
Explain how acid precipitation forms.
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What are some harmful effects of acid precipitation on plants, soils, and aquatic ecosystems?
What are some harmful effects of acid precipitation on plants, soils, and aquatic ecosystems?
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Describe three ways in which acid precipitation can affect humans.
Describe three ways in which acid precipitation can affect humans.
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What is a way in which countries are working together to address acid precipitation?
What is a way in which countries are working together to address acid precipitation?
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Study Notes
Acid Precipitation
- Defined as any form of precipitation, such as rain, sleet, or snow, with high acidity levels due to atmospheric pollution.
- It typically has a pH of less than 5.0, compared to pure water's neutral pH of 7.0.
pH Scale
- Measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
- Each whole number change on the pH scale represents a tenfold change in acidity.
Acid Shock
- Occurs when a significant amount of acidic water rushes into lakes and streams, commonly during snowmelt or after heavy rains post-drought.
Formation of Acid Precipitation
- Results from burning fossil fuels, which emit sulfur and nitrogen oxides.
- These oxides react with atmospheric moisture to produce sulfuric and nitric acids, leading to precipitation.
Impact on Ecosystems
- Causes acidification of soil and water, disrupting chemical balances.
- Releases toxic metals in soils, harming plant roots.
- Can lead to acid shock in aquatic environments, drastically altering pH levels and killing fish while impairing amphibian reproduction.
Effects on Human Health and Economy
- Toxic metals in the food chain from affected crops, water, and fish can cause poisoning in humans.
- Increased respiratory issues in children attributed to air pollution.
- Diminished fish populations threaten the livelihoods of commercial and sport fishing industries.
International Cooperation
- The Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement, signed in 1991, aims to reduce transboundary emissions.
- Collaborative effort between Canada and the United States to address and combat acid precipitation issues.
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Environmental Science Chapter 12. This set focuses on key terms such as acid precipitation and pH values that are essential for understanding environmental chemistry. Perfect for students or anyone interested in environmental studies.
