Environmental Chemistry Flashcards
What type of gas do cars release that cause ACID RAIN?
Nitrogen oxides
What gas do living plants and animals release that also causes ACID RAIN?
Carbon dioxide
What 2 gases does burning fossil fuels release that cause ACID RAIN?
Carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide
What gases cause acid rain?
Sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides
How are harmful gases such as sulphur dioxide released into the atmosphere to cause acid rain?
Volcanoes, burning fossil fuels, car engines, loving plants and animals
How is acid rain formed?
Acidic gases are released into the atmosphere
They dissolve in moisture in the air
Clouds cool and release acid rain
It falls on the land and rivers
What are some effects of acid rain?
Weathering of rock -fizzes and releases CO2
Pollution in the air (asthma)
Fish die - sea becomes more acidic
Soil is more acidic - trees die, more CO2 less oxygen
How much more acidic is acid rain than normal rain and why?
1000x because it contains nitric and sulphuric acid
Where does the nitric acid come from in acid rain
Combustion of nitrogen and oxygen
Where does sulphuric acid come from in acid rain
Combustion of fossil fuels
What is CASHOCO
Carbonate+Acid—> Salt+Water+Carbon Dioxidde
What is pollution?
The introduction of substances into the atmosphere that may have an adverse effect on living things
How does carbon get from the atmosphere to oceans?
Dissolves
How does carbon get from the atmosphere to plants?
Photosynthesis
How does carbon get from plants to dead organisms and soil
By dying
How does carbon get from plants to animals
By getting eaten
How does carbon get from plants to the atmosphere?
Respiration
How does carbon get from animals to the atmosphere?
Respiration