Air Pollution by Sulphur Dioxide + Carbon Monoxide

Question 1

what is acid rain?

Answer 1

rain with pollutants dissolved in it - the low pH can have very negative impacts on the environment

Question 2

how is acid rain created?

Answer 2

• sulphur dioxide, nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are released into the atmosphere from cars and factories
• these gases then react with the atmospheric water vapour to form dilute acids (sulphuric and nitric acids)

Question 3

how does acid rain affect the environment?

Answer 3

• this dilute acid can dissolve limestone buildings and statues
• the rain can decrease the pH of rivers and lakes
• this can have a catastrophic effect on the enzymes in the rivers and lakes which results in the death of marine life
• acid rain can also kill trees and other plants
• it can increase dissolution of some metal ions in the soil, including aluminium - these run off into rivers and lakes where they poison fish

Question 4

how has increase in human population led to an increase in population?

Answer 4

• more fossil fuels being burnt for heat and power
• more movement and use of transport
• higher levels of industry for houses and goods

Question 5

how is carbon monoxide formed?

Answer 5

substances containing carbon are burned in a limited supply of oxygen - vehicle exhausts contain significant amounts of carbon monoxide

Question 6

why is carbon monoxide is a dangerous pollutant?

Answer 6

• it binds more strongly with haemoglobin than oxygen
• if a person inhales carbon monoxide for a period of time, more and more haemoglobin becomes bound to carbon monoxide, and therefore the person will lose consciousness and eventually die, due to reduced aerobic respiration