Topic 6.4 Acid Deposition Starter: What pH’s are acidic? What colour does universal indicator turn in the presence of acid? What are acids?

Rain is naturally slightly acidic pH 5.6 Caused by carbon dioxide in the air dissolving into the water forming carbonic acid. However, when sulfur and nitrogen oxides dissolve in the rain they form sulfuric and nitric acid and can have a very low pH (1-3) pH scale is logarithmic, pH1 is x10 more acidic that pH 2, and x100 stronger than pH 3

What are the sources Sulfur is a common impurity in coal. There is some in oil too. Main source is coal fired power stations. Reacts with the oxygen in the air when the fuel is combusted Nitrogen and oxygen react together in engines due to the high temperatures. This forms nitrogen oxides.

Effects of acid deposition Research the effects of acid deposition. Use the 6 areas below as your main research focus: Aluminium ions Lichens Nutrient removal effect on soil fertility Buildings Peat bogs Human health These can be organised into different categories Direct effect – the actual damage the acid does. Indirect toxic effect – e.g. aluminium ions dissolving. Indirect nutrient effect – e.g. leaching of nutrients.

Acid rain is regional (not global) problem The pollutants do travel, but not over huge distances. They dissolve in rain before they get too far. Dry deposition – close to the source, generally the primary pollutants. Wet deposition – longer distances, generally the acids. Areas downwind of major industrial regions are most affected. Scandinavian forests and lakes affected by British, Polish and German emissions by a south-western prevailing wind.

CASE STUDY Research the effect of acid deposition and intergovernmental agreements or legislation and their effectiveness In 3 groups you are going to create a poster to show the impact and pollution management strategies in one of the cases below: Canada affected by acid deposition from the USA. Sweden and Norway affected by acid deposition from Poland, Germany and UK. China

Reducing the effects of acid deposition Use the video to find out about the following techniques: Liming lakes to neutralise acidity. Pre-combustion (before burning) techniques. End of pipe measures (after burning). Of course we could always reduce our use of fossil fuels to help solve this problem……..Nuclear power? Electric cars?

Replace, regulate, restore. As with all pollution related topics in ESS you need to be able to evaluate pollution management strategies. Using the help table I have given you (also next slide), answer the following long answer question: Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies for acid deposition. (8)

can be divided into preventative or curative; preventative includes reducing fossil fuel emissions; e.g. by encouraging alternative energy sources such as solar; public transport schemes; reduction in energy demand for electricity by increasing energy efficiency; these address the cause of the problem so are arguably more effective; but are expensive and unpopular e.g. leading to job losses in the coal industry; may be currently impractical e.g. alternative energy supplies cannot replace the amount of energy we currently get from fossil fuels; curative involves responding to the effects of the problem; e.g. spraying forests/liming lakes; clean up measures at points of emission e.g. desulfurisation in coal fired power stations; these measures may be cheaper in the short- term but do not address the cause of the problem and are therefore not a long-term solution; 8 max