Sulfur Pollution and its Impact on the Environment

Sulfur pollution

Mainly from human activity

Sulfur dioxide emissions

<p>Damages buildings, statues, and trees. Makes rivers and lakes too acidic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Affects the respiratory system, causes coughing, aggravates asthma, chronic bronchitis, eye irritation, and is toxic to human cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>0.2 parts per million</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Treated with powdered limestone forming calcium sulfate</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hydrodesulfurization</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fluidized bed combustion</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Flue gas desulphurization</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Catalytic converters</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Exhaust gas recirculation</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Normal rain has a pH of roughly 5.4, while rain affected by oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide can rank as low as 3.7.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The government set a limit on the total amount of sulfur dioxide the electric power sector could emit each year and implemented a 'cap and trade' system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Some plants added desulfurizing scrubbers to their smokestacks, or switched to low-sulfur coal and natural gas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>International treaties began circulating to reduce air pollution worldwide after Canada and the European Union adopted their own solutions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Russia, India, and China still rely heavily on high-sulfur coal and continue to struggle with the environmental consequences of acid rain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'cap and trade' system offered economic flexibility to power plants while strictly limiting pollution and forcing every utility company to reduce emissions in the long term.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Oxides of nitrogen emissions were reduced with relatively low-cost technologies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Corporations lobbied against regulating pollution and convinced politicians that such policies would raise energy costs and threaten jobs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Despite clear evidence tying the problem to air pollution, companies denied responsibility and cast doubt on the research, leading to delays in implementing changes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Over time, acid rain can corrode human structures made of stone or metal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Scientists sped up the restoration of areas affected by acid rain by reintroducing essential organisms killed off by acid rain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sulfur dioxide</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Water vapor</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Respiratory distress, affecting those with respiratory issues such as bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It disturbs waterways by lowering pH levels, making the aquatic environment intolerable to many animal and plant species.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It burns the foliage of many plant species, making them susceptible to environmental conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sulfuric acid</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>1981 to 2010</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>1900 to 2010</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Europe and America</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Asia and Africa</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Inflammation and irritation of the respiratory system</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Decreased animal health</p> Signup and view all the answers