Environmental Science: Acid Deposition

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Questions and Answers

Match the primary pollutants responsible for acid deposition with their respective sources.

SO₂ = Fossil fuel combustion in power plants and vehicles NOₓ = Vehicle exhausts and industrial processes

Match the secondary pollutants formed during acid deposition with their respective formulas.

Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) = SO₃ + H₂O → H₂SO₄ Nitric acid (HNO₃) = NO₂ + H₂O → HNO₃

Match the types of acid deposition with their descriptions.

Dry deposition = Acidic particles and gases settle on surfaces Wet deposition = Acids dissolve in precipitation, affecting ecosystems

Match the direct impacts of acid deposition with their specific effects.

Damage to buildings and statues = Calcium carbonate reacts with acids, accelerating chemical weathering Harm to aquatic life = Acidification of water affects calcium metabolism in fish, leading to population decline. pH below 5.5 disrupts fish reproduction and kills sensitive species Signup and view all the answers

Match the indirect impacts of acid deposition with their environmental consequences.

Increased solubility of toxic metals = Harmful to fish Nutrient leaching from soil = Reduces agricultural productivity Signup and view all the answers

Match the technological solutions for managing acid deposition with their applications.

Flue Gas Desulfurization = Removes SO₂ from industrial emissions Catalytic Converters = Reduce NOₓ emissions in vehicles Signup and view all the answers

Match the policy and regulatory approaches for managing acid deposition with their examples.

Emission trading schemes = US Acid Rain Program International agreements = UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution Signup and view all the answers

Match the key chemical reactions involved in photochemical smog formation with their respective equations.

Ozone formation = O + O₂ → O₃ NO₂ decomposition = NO₂ + sunlight → NO + O Signup and view all the answers

Match the following strategies with their respective purposes:

Emission Control = Regulation to reduce pollutants in the air Renewable Energy = Transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable sources Legislation & Policy = Formal regulations and laws for environmental protection Polluter Pays Principle = Holding polluters financially responsible for environmental damage Signup and view all the answers

Match the following ozone depletion causes with their descriptions:

CFC Breakdown Process = Releases chlorine atoms that destroy ozone Polar Vortex = Traps cold air, aiding in ozone depletion UV Radiation = Breaks CFCs apart, contributing to ozone thinning Stratospheric Clouds = Provide surfaces for chlorine activation in ozone depletion Signup and view all the answers

Match the following materials with their degradation causes:

Rubber = Deteriorates due to increased UV exposure Plastics = Break down faster in the presence of ozone Paints = Deteriorate from environmental pollutants Building Materials = Degrade more rapidly with ozone depletion Signup and view all the answers

Match the following air pollution management techniques with their functions:

Flue Gas Desulfurization = Removes sulfur dioxide from exhaust gases Catalytic Converters = Reduce nitrogen oxides emissions from vehicles Electrostatic Precipitators = Remove particulates from industrial emissions Clean Air Act = Legislation aimed at improving air quality in the USA Signup and view all the answers

Match the following alternatives to CFCs with their environmental impacts:

HCFCs = Less harmful but still contribute to global warming HFCs = Powerful greenhouse gases with no ozone depletion potential CFCs = Known for causing significant ozone layer damage Montreal Protocol = International agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances Signup and view all the answers

Match the following human health impacts to their causes:

Skin Cancer = Increased UV exposure from ozone depletion Cataracts = Higher risk due to ozone thinning Reduced Plant Growth = Ecosystem effects from increased UV radiation Aquatic Food Web Disruption = Damage to plankton from UV exposure Signup and view all the answers

Match the following air pollution terms with their definitions:

Acid Deposition = Precipitation of acid rain due to pollutants Photochemical Smog = Air pollution caused by reactions of sunlight with pollutants Stratospheric Ozone = Layer protecting Earth from harmful UV radiation Ozone Hole = Area with ozone concentration below 100 Dobson Units Signup and view all the answers

Match the following pollution management incentives with their descriptions:

Low-emission vehicles = Encourages the use of hybrids and electric vehicles Public Transportation Incentives = Promotes carpooling and bus usage Stricter Industrial Emission Regulations = Controls emissions from factories Emission Controls = Policies that reduce overall pollutants in the air Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

7.1 Acid Deposition

Acid deposition is a mixture of air pollutants with a pH less than 5.6, largely caused by human activities.
Primary pollutants include sulfur dioxide (SO₂) from fossil fuel combustion and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) from vehicle exhaust and industrial processes.
Secondary pollutants form through chemical reactions: SO₂ reacts with oxygen to form sulfur trioxide (SO₃), which then reacts with water to create sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) — a key component of acid rain. NOₓ reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), which reacts with water to form nitric acid (HNO₃), also an acid rain component.
Acid deposition occurs in two forms: dry (acidic particles and gases settling on surfaces) and wet (acids dissolving in precipitation).
Impacts include damage to buildings and statues (acceleration of chemical weathering), harm to aquatic life (acidification of water affects calcium metabolism, disrupts fish reproduction and kills sensitive species), crop damage and reduced yields, and increased solubility of toxic metals (like aluminum) in water which harms fish. Nutrient leaching from soil reduces agricultural productivity. Geographic impacts include transboundary pollution, where emissions in one area affect areas far downwind (e.g., acid rain in Canada from US emissions).
Management strategies include flue gas desulfurization to remove SO₂ from industrial emissions, catalytic converters to reduce NOₓ emissions, and regulations like emission trading schemes and international agreements.

7.2 Photochemical Smog

Photochemical smog is tropospheric ozone (O₃) formed from reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight.
Key chemical reactions form ozone: NO combines with oxygen to form NO₂; NO₂ reacts with sunlight to form NO and atomic oxygen; the atomic oxygen then reacts with oxygen to form ozone (O₃).
Main emission sources are vehicles, industries, and biomass burning.
Smog is more severe in cities with temperature inversions, which trap pollutants (e.g., Los Angeles, Beijing).
Impacts include respiratory issues (asthma, lung irritation), eye irritation, plant damage (impaired photosynthesis, reduced crop yields, leaf damage), and material degradation (faster deterioration of rubber, plastics, and paints).
Management focuses on emission control through low-emission vehicles, public transportation incentives, and stricter industrial emission regulations.

7.3 Air Pollution Management

Strategies for controlling air pollution include:
- Transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro to move away from fossil fuels.
- Implementing emission controls like flue gas desulfurization (removing SO₂), catalytic converters (reducing NOₓ emissions), and electrostatic precipitators (removing particulates).
- Creating and implementing legislation and policy, such as the Clean Air Act in the USA and EU air pollution standards.
- Implementing a "polluter pays" principle.

7.4 Ozone Depletion

Ozone depletion is the thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer due to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and similar chemicals.
CFCs break down in the stratosphere, releasing chlorine atoms. Sunlight triggers the reaction releasing chlorine that reacts with ozone (O₃), breaking it down into O₂ and O, thus reducing ozone concentration in the stratosphere.
Ozone depletion is most severe over Antarctica due to polar vortexes that trap cold air, creating Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs). PSCs provide a surface for chlorine activation, leading to rapid ozone destruction when sunlight returns in the spring.
Ozone concentrations are measured in Dobson Units (DU). An ozone hole is an area with ozone concentrations below 100 DU.
Impacts include increased human health risks (higher risk of skin cancer and cataracts), reduced plant growth, disruption of aquatic food webs due to UV damage to plankton, and material degradation (faster breakdown of plastics, rubber, and building materials).
Management involves the Montreal Protocol, which phased out CFCs, and the use of alternatives such as HCFCs (which have less harmful effects but contribute to warming), and HFCs (which do not deplete ozone but are powerful greenhouse gases).

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Description

This quiz covers the concept of acid deposition, including its causes, primary and secondary pollutants, and its impacts on the environment. Understanding the chemical reactions involved and the difference between dry and wet deposition will help clarify the significance of acid rain. Test your knowledge on this vital environmental issue.