Pollution The Problem Of Acidification Flashcards
What are the three main sources for acidification?
Through : atmospheric deposition of sulphur.
Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen .
From forestry activities.
Why does nitrogen contribute to acidification?
When there is nitrogen saturation the excess nitrogen undergoes nitrification. Here H+ ions are released into the soil which increases it acidity.
Why does sulphur contribute to acidification?
Sulphur dioxide is obtained from combustion sulphur containing fuels. After it is oxidized into sulphuric acid which is then dissolved in an aqueous solution which causes the release of H+ ions
True or false ; sulphur and mpnitrogen combine to enter mine soil acidity therefore their critical loads are linked .(meaning it is not static and is dependent on nitrogen deposition)
True
How this linkage in critical loads work ?
The higher the nitrogen deposition the lower the sulfur critical load deposition is.( meaning that areas with high nitrogen deposition are at risk of having sulphur acidification)
Who is polluting Europe with sulphur
Germany, Poland, Serbia and. Volcanic eruptions.
However big emitters are ( Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, UK,Belgium)
Are emissions of Sulphur decreasing in Europe ?
Yes they are but differ between regions .
Are Soil water acidification and lake water acidification in Sweden getting better or worse ?
Soil water acidification is getting better but not so much in the south as is the same with lake water acidification( and have to be lined for about 150 M sek /yr).
True or false: lake acidification still remain in the us
True
What are some of the impacts of acidification?
In fresh water ecosystems : once acid levels surpass certain levels they kill off some species (eg. Perch below 4.5 and trout below 6.0).
Water insects die
Formation of inorganic aluminum.
What can be used to reverse acidification?
Liming however it is an expensive process
