6.4 acid deposition

Question 1

transboundary pollution

Answer 1

• formed in one country causing damage to another country
• acid deposition

Question 2

acidity

Answer 2

7 = neutral
PH less than 7 = acidic
more than 7 = alkaline

Question 3

pollutants causing acid deposition

Answer 3

• sulphur dioxide
• NOxs

turns into
- sulphuric acid
- nitric acid

Question 4

wet deposition

Answer 4

• pollutants incorporated into clouds/raindrops, acidified as rain or snow

Question 5

dry deposition

Answer 5

• atmospheric pollutants removed by gravity or direct contact in dry conditions, emissions of ash/dry particles absorbed directly onto plants or buildings

Question 6

use of tall smoke stacks

Answer 6

• reduce local pollution
• increase dispersion, higher wind speeds less friction

Question 7

impacts of acid deposition
aquatic ecosystems

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

impacts of acid deposition
terrestrial ecosystems

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

impacts of acid deposition
stone erosion

Answer 9

• causes buildings and statues (marble and limestone especially) to crack and crumble

Question 10

impacts of acid deposition
metal corrosion

Answer 10

• corrosion of metals weakens structure of buildings

Question 11

management of acid deposition
policies

Answer 11

• strategic plan of action

Question 12

management of acid deposition
changing human behaviour

Answer 12

• energy conservation to reduce demand
• alternative renewable energy sources
• reduce individual car use

Question 13

management of acid deposition
economic instruments

Answer 13

• pollution tax
• road toll, parking fees
• subsidies for technology that reduces emissions

Question 14

management of acid deposition
technology

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

management of acid deposition
legislation

Answer 15

• emissions standards reducing the levels of pollutants

Question 16

UN geneva convention

Answer 16

• international effort to reduce acid deposition
• reducing air pollution
• protocols and amendments
• share knowledge and information to set and update emission targets

Question 17

regional air quality agreement
1991

Answer 17

• canada with the US
• transboundary pollution
• working together to reduces NOxs and sulphur dioxide emissions
• effective

Question 18

cap and trade system

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

in situ clean up and restoration

Answer 19

• neutralising acidic water by adding limestone
• non permanent solution if acid deposition continues pH will fall again
• need cooperation with other countries

Question 20

in situ clean up and restoration

Answer 20

• neutralising acidic water by adding limestone
• non permanent solution if acid deposition continues pH will fall again
• need cooperation with other countries