18-3 What Is Acid Deposition and Why Is It a Problem? Concept 18-3 Acid deposition is caused mainly by coal-burning power plants and motor vehicle emissions, and in some regions it threatens human health, aquatic life and ecosystems, forests, and human-built structures.

Acid Disposition Is a Serious Regional Air Pollution Problem To reduce __________ pollution, many coal burning power plants and ore smelters use _________ smokestacks to vent the exhaust from burned fuels high into the atmosphere where _________ can disperse them While they do reduce local pollution, they can increase regional air pollution _________________ local tall wind downwind

Acid Disposition Is a Serious Regional Air Pollution Problem Prevailing winds may carry primary pollutants like _______ and nitrogen oxides _____ as far as 1000 kilometers (_______ miles) Along their trip, these compounds form secondary pollutants such as… Droplets of ______________________ H 2 SO 4 and _______________________ HNO 3 Particles of acid forming ________________ (SO 4 2- ) and _______________(NO 3 - ) salts SO 2 NO x 600 sulfuric acid nitric acid sulfate nitrate

Acid Disposition Is a Serious Regional Air Pollution Problem These acidic substance remain in the atmosphere for _________ days, depending on weather patterns They may descend to earth’s surface in two forms… _________ deposition Acidic rain, snow, fog, and cloud vapor with a pH of less than _______ _________ deposition Acidic particles The mixture is called __________ ________________, or often times simply ________ ___________ 2-14 wet 5.6 dry acid deposition acidrain

Fig , p. 477 Wind Transformation to sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) and nitric acid (HNO 3 ) Windborne ammonia gas and some soil particles partially neutralize acids and form dry sulfate and nitrate salts Wet acid deposition (droplets of H 2 SO 4 and HNO 3 dissolved in rain and snow) Nitric oxide (NO) Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) and NO Dry acid deposition (sulfur dioxide gas and particles of sulfate and nitrate salts) Acid fog Lakes in deep soil high in limestone are buffered Lakes in shallow soil low in limestone become acidic

Current and Possible Future Acid Rain Problem Areas Fig , p. 478

Acid Deposition Has a Number of Harmful Effects (1) Acid deposition damages statues and building It also contributes to human ____________________ diseases And can ____________ toxic metals, like lead and mercury, from soils and rocks into ____________ used for drinking water These toxic metals can accumulate in the tissues of __________ eaten by people and other animals respiratory leach lakes fish

Acid Deposition Has a Number of Harmful Effects (1) Acid deposition also harms ________________ ecosystems Most fish cannot survive in water with a pH less than ______ Releases ____________________ ions from soils that cause excess _______________ formation in fish gills…clogging their gills Scientists are very concerned with the effect of South Asian Brown Clouds on the _________________ Ocean Also affects __________ and ________________ Acid deposition leaches essential ____________________ from the soil and releases _____________ metals to the soil aquatic 4.5 aluminum mucus Pacific cropsforests nutrients toxic

Natural Capital Degradation: Air Pollution Damage to Trees in North Carolina, U.S. Fig , p. 479

Fig , p. 480 Solutions Acid Deposition PreventionCleanup Reduce coal useAdd lime to neutralize acidified lakes Burn low-sulfur coal Increase use of natural gas and renewable energy resources Add phosphate fertilizer to neutralize acidified lakes Remove SO 2 from smokestack particulates and NO x gases and remove vehicular exhaust NO x from motor Tax emissions of SO 2

18-4 What Are the Major Indoor Air Pollution Problems? Concept 18-4 The most threatening indoor air pollutants are smoke and soot from the burning of wood and coal in cooking fires (mostly in less- developed countries), cigarette smoke, and chemicals used in building materials and cleaning products.

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem (1) In _______ developed countries, the ___________ burning of wood, charcoal, dung, crop residues, coal expose people to dangerous levels of ___________________ air pollution __________ suffer the greatest risk Glaring example of the connection between poverty, environmental quality, and human health less indoor particulate poor

Burning Wood Indoors in India Fig , p. 481

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem (2) Indoor air pollution is also a serious problem for _______________ countries, mostly because of chemicals used in _______________ materials or products Indoor air pollution is _______________ than outdoor The four most dangerous indoor air pollutants in developed countries are… ________________ smoke ___________________...in building materials (mobile homes) Radioactive ____________ gas…seeps into houses from underground Very small __________________ particles from various emissions developed building greater tobacco formaldehyde radon ultrafine

Indoor Air Pollution Is a Serious Problem (3) Who is at greatest risk from indoor air pollution? _____________ under 5 and the ________________ Sick Pregnant women People with respiratory disorders or heart problems Smokers ___________ workers Childrenelderly factory

Fig , p. 482 Chloroform Source: Chlorine- treated water in hot showers Possible threat: Cancer Para-dichlorobenzene Source: Air fresheners, mothball crystals Threat: Cancer Tetrachloroethylene Source: Dry-cleaning fl uid fumes on clothes Threat: Nerve disorders, damage to liver and kidneys, possible cancer Formaldehyde Source: Furniture stuffing, paneling, particleboard, foam insulation Threat: Irritation of eyes, throat, skin, and lungs; nausea; dizziness 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Source: Aerosol sprays Threat: Dizziness, irregular breathing Styrene Source: Carpets, plastic products Threat: Kidney and liver damage Nitrogen oxides Source: Unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves Threat: Irritated lungs, children's colds, headaches Benzo- -pyrene Source: Tobacco smoke,woodstoves Threat: Lung cancer Particulates Source: Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, cooking smoke particles Threat: Irritated lungs, asthma attacks, itchy eyes, runny nose, lung disease Radon-222 Source: Radioactive soil and rock surrounding foundation, water supply Threat: Lung cancer Tobacco smoke Source: Cigarettes Threat: Lung cancer, respiratory ailments, heart disease Asbestos Source: Pipe insulation, vinyl ceiling and fl oor tiles Threat: Lung disease, lung cancer Carbon monoxide Source: Faulty furnaces, unvented gas stoves and kerosene heaters, woodstoves Threat: Headaches, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, death Methylene chloride Source: Paint strippers and thinners Threat: Nerve disorders, diabetes

Case Study: Radioactive Radon Gas Radon-222 is a colorless, odorless, ______________ gas that is produced by the natural radioactive decay of ____________________, which is found in small amounts in rocks and soils If radon-222 seeps up and is released outdoors, it quickly ________________ and decay to harmless levels However, radon-222 may seep inside a building through … ____________ in a building’s foundation ________________ around sump pumps and drains radioactive uranium-238 disperses cracks opening

Science: Sources and Paths of Entry for Indoor Radon-222 Gas Fig , p. 483

Exposure can damage ___________ tissue and lead to lung ________________ Your risk depends on ________________ radon is in your home and whether you have every ___________ Radioactive radon is the ______________ leading cause of lung cancer Remedies? ________________ cracks in the foundation Increasing ___________________ Installing a radon __________________ system lung cancer how much smoked second sealing ventilation mitigation

Review Questions! Is acid deposition considered a local or a regional problem? What are some of the harmful effects of acid deposition? What are the four most dangerous indoor air pollutants in developed countries? regional Damage to buildings Harmful to aquatic ecosystems, crops, forests Human respiratory problems, toxic metals tobacco smoke formaldehyde Radon-222 Ultrafine emission particles