6.4 acid deposition Flashcards
1
Q
transboundary pollution
A
- formed in one country causing damage to another country
- acid deposition
2
Q
acidity
A
7 = neutral
PH less than 7 = acidic
more than 7 = alkaline
3
Q
pollutants causing acid deposition
A
- sulphur dioxide
- NOxs
turns into
- sulphuric acid
- nitric acid
4
Q
wet deposition
A
- pollutants incorporated into clouds/raindrops, acidified as rain or snow
5
Q
dry deposition
A
- atmospheric pollutants removed by gravity or direct contact in dry conditions, emissions of ash/dry particles absorbed directly onto plants or buildings
6
Q
use of tall smoke stacks
A
- reduce local pollution
- increase dispersion, higher wind speeds less friction
7
Q
impacts of acid deposition
aquatic ecosystems
A
- directly as precipitation or indirectly as runoff
- lower the PH so organisms can no longer survive
- loss of species, knock on effect, reproductive failure
- many fish eggs don’t hatch below PH 5
- releases aluminium from soil into system, causing asphyxiation in fish
8
Q
impacts of acid deposition
terrestrial ecosystems
A
- increase soil acidity
- reduces nutrients available for plant uptake
- damage root system, leech into aquatic ecosystems
- damage to cuticle wax on leaves, reduces photosynthesis
- decreased tolerance to pest, disease, low temperature
- reduced crop yield
- loss of biodiversity
9
Q
impacts of acid deposition
stone erosion
A
- causes buildings and statues (marble and limestone especially) to crack and crumble
10
Q
impacts of acid deposition
metal corrosion
A
- corrosion of metals weakens structure of buildings
11
Q
management of acid deposition
policies
A
- strategic plan of action
12
Q
management of acid deposition
changing human behaviour
A
- energy conservation to reduce demand
- alternative renewable energy sources
- reduce individual car use
13
Q
management of acid deposition
economic instruments
A
- pollution tax
- road toll, parking fees
- subsidies for technology that reduces emissions
14
Q
management of acid deposition
technology
A
- catalytic converters
- cleaner fuels, coal to gas
- improve efficiency and cost of alternative energy sources
- desulphurisation of coal
- scrubbing to remove sulphur dioxide
- low emission vehicles
- better energy efficiency of appliances
15
Q
management of acid deposition
legislation
A
- emissions standards reducing the levels of pollutants
16
Q
UN geneva convention
A
- international effort to reduce acid deposition
- reducing air pollution
- protocols and amendments
- share knowledge and information to set and update emission targets
17
Q
regional air quality agreement
1991
A
- canada with the US
- transboundary pollution
- working together to reduces NOxs and sulphur dioxide emissions
- effective
18
Q
cap and trade system
A
- allows a company a set amount of emissions, free to buy and sell emission permits to each other
- do not use emission permits, gain economically selling to others
19
Q
in situ clean up and restoration
A
- neutralising acidic water by adding limestone
- non permanent solution if acid deposition continues pH will fall again
- need cooperation with other countries
20
Q
in situ clean up and restoration
A
- neutralising acidic water by adding limestone
- non permanent solution if acid deposition continues pH will fall again
- need cooperation with other countries
