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Understanding Acid Deposition: Origins, Effects, and Countermeasures

Acid deposition refers to the process by which acidic particles, gases, and precipitation are deposited from the atmosphere back to the earth. It can occur as wet deposition (acid rain, fog, snow) or dry deposition (acidic gases like SO2). Its origins include emissions from internal combustion engines and coal burning. The environmental impacts include damage to ecosystems, water bodies, and buildings. Possible counteracting methods include using catalytic converters, low-sulfur fuels, flue gas desulfurization, and neutralizing affected lakes with calcium compounds.

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Understanding Acid Deposition: Origins, Effects, and Countermeasures

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  1. E2 acid deposition • State what is meant by the term acid deposition and outline its origins. • Discuss the environmental effects of acid deposition and possible methods to counteract them.

  2. acid deposition • Acid deposition refers to the process by which acidic particles, gases and precipitation leave the atmosphere as they are brought back down to earth e.g. on the ground, on trees, buildings, inside plants or animals (e.g. your lungs). • There are two types of acid deposition: • wet deposition: acid rain, fog and snow • dry deposition: acidic gases such as SO2 and salts (when acidic gas reacts with an alkali)

  3. acid deposition NOx: formed as a result of high temperatures in internal combustion engines, i.e. cars and jet engines. 1. production of nitrogen oxides: N2 (g) + O2 (g)  2NO (g) 2NO(g) + O2 (g)  2NO2 (g) 2. the following equations show two ways in which nitric acid is formed in the atmosphere 2 NO2 (g) + H2O (l)  HNO3 (aq) + HNO2 (aq) (=nitrous acid) or 4 NO2 (g) + 2 H2O (l) + O2 (g) 4 HNO3 (aq)

  4. acid deposition SOx: from burning of coal which contains sulphur/smelting plants 1. production of oxides: S (g) + O2 (g)  SO2 (g) 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g)  2SO3 (g) 2. formation of atmospheric sulphuric acid and sulfurous acid SO3 (g) + H2O (l)  H2SO4 (aq) SO2 (g) + H2O (l)  H2SO3(aq)

  5. acid deposition

  6. acid deposition

  7. acid deposition • cutting down emissions of nitrogen oxides by using catalytic converters; thermal exhaust systems; • use of low sulphur fuels; use of these fuels still release sulphurdioxide • removal of sulphur oxides from exhaust fumes (Flue Gas Desulphurization); • use of alternative sources of energy which do not involve fossil fuels and the production of very high temperatures. • dealing with acid rain itself: neutralization of lakes using calcium carbonate or calcium oxide, e.g. CaO + H2SO4 (aq)  CaSO4 (s) + H2O (l)

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