post lab discussion 1 & 2 - acid rain

Question 1

it is an acidic precipitation
(examples)

Answer 1

acid rain
(rain, snow, fog, sleet, dry particles of dust that fall from the sky)

Question 2

what does rainwater composed of

Answer 2

chemicals
particulates (Mg, K, Ca, Na & CO2)

Question 3

H2O + CO2

Answer 3

H2CO3 - carbonic acid (pH 5.6)

Question 4

what reaction increases its acidity to pH

Answer 4

oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide
increase its acidity to pH 4.0 - 4.3

Question 5

oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide occurs naturally as short-lived by products of ____ and ____

Answer 5

volcanic eruptions
lightning

Question 6

NOx -
SO2 -

Answer 6

NOx - oxides of nitrogen
SO2 - sulfur dioxide

Question 7

what causes the increase of the amount of NOx and SO2

Answer 7

burning of fossil fuels from powerplants (electricity), refineries (oil and gas) and automobiles (vehicles)

Question 8

equations of
formation of sulfuric acid from burning coal and
formation of nitric acid from internal combustion engines burning gasoline and diesel fuel

Answer 8

formation of sulfuric acid from burning coal
S2 + O2 —-> SO2
SO2 + O2 —–> SO3
SO3 + H2O —–> H2SO4

formation of nitric acid from internal combustion engines burning gasoline and diesel fuel
NO + O2 —-> NO2
NO2 + H2O —–> HNO3

Question 9

briefly explain the acid rain in Adirondack Park

Answer 9

in the 1960s, power plants in the Midwest that burned coal were causing air pollution probs locally
to address: EPA - Environmental Protection Agency advised to build very tall smokestacks around 70-80 storied high - carry pollution away from local area
however, it disperse the pollution to other states. damaging lakes, rivers and forest in parks

Question 10

Adirondack Park was created by …

Answer 10

the Eastern upstate New York in 1982
one of the 1st forever wild forest preserves in the nation

Question 11

Adirondack Park has a vast wilderness area

Answer 11

6 million acres that is bigger than the combined of Yellowstone, Yosemite, glacier and grand canyon national park [YYGG]

Question 12

It has a diverse mountain landscape, clean waterways, boreal forests and towering mountains.

Answer 12

Adirondack Park

Question 13

effects of acid rain in Adirondack Park

Answer 13

accelerates weathering in metal and stone structures
acidification of bodies of water
mercury toxicity
leaching of soil constituents
aluminum toxicity
existence of black file

Question 14

briefly explain the effects of acid rain: accelerates weathering in metal and stone structures

Answer 14

acid in the rain causes weathering and wear and tear on metal, stone, and other materials used in historic buildings and monuments

Question 15

how many lakes and ponds are already acidic to support the plants and aquatic wildlife

Answer 15

500 lakes and ponds out of 2800

Question 16

what could acid rain could contain which makes the poisonous

Answer 16

metal ions
Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn

Question 17

briefly explain the effects of acid rain: acidification of bodies of water

Answer 17

acid rain makes the water in lakes and ponds more acidic. This kills off many plants and animals that can’t survive in acidic water, disrupting the entire ecosystem

loss of fish and wildlife: the acidic water contains high levels of toxic metals like lead and copper, which poisons and kills off fish, frogs, and other aquatic life. many species that used to be common in the lakes have disappeared

Question 18

briefly explain the effects of acid rain: of lead and copper

Answer 18

lead - highly toxic to humans
copper - kills the beneficial bacteria that allow septic system to break down wastes and purify water systems

Question 19

briefly explain the effects of acid rain: mercury toxicity

Answer 19

when acid rain falls, it helps release mercury release into the air then deposited into remote forested areas
once in the enviro, converted into methylmercury. it absorbed into tissue of animals and plants

(from inorganic Hg to organic Hg/ methylated mercury)

Question 20

briefly explain the effects of acid rain: leaching of soil constituents

Answer 20

The acid rain leaches away important nutrients like calcium and magnesium from the soil, weakening and killing trees. It also makes the soil more toxic with high levels of aluminum.

declines growth rates and unexpected death of trees in Hubbard Brook Forest

Question 21

what species at Big Moose lake has been exterminated due to acid rain
&
what animals are rarely seen

Answer 21

exterminated due to acid rain:
trophy- sized brook trout
white fish
landlock salmon
lake trout

rarely seen:
frogs
freshwater shrimp
crayfish
hooded mergansers
otters

Question 22

briefly explain what Covewood Lodge owners Diane and C.V. “Major” Bowes was surprised about

Answer 22

water contaminated 5 times as much as lead and copper that were leached out of the inside pipes and plumbing fixtures

Question 23

which reservoir/ lake has been found to have substantial mercury contamination

Answer 23

Cranberry lake
Stillwater reservoir

Question 24

what is the effect of Methylated mercury

Answer 24

easily absorbed in animal tissue
may affect human organ and food chain
acid causes mercury to be released into the water, which then builds up in the bodies of fish and other animals, making them unsafe for humans to eat

Question 25

briefly explain the effects of acid rain: aluminum toxicity

Answer 25

soil drops (acidic) due to acid rain = aluminum in the soil to bcm more concentrated and soluble directly harms and stunt growth of the plant's critical root system = affct health and survival of tress and other plants - inhibits the elongation and growth of roots = stunted and brittle - blocks cell division process in the roots = prevemt from growing and branching properly - root tips bcm swollen and damaged

Question 26

briefly explain the effects of acid rain: existence of black fly

Answer 26

larvae of black files can thrive in acidic water = increase population. giving a great distress for spring outdoor activites (in the northeast and southern canada)

Question 27

in 1992, what did the US EPA did to reduce the sulfur dioxide emissions

Answer 27

created an acid rain control program designed to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 50% nationwide

Question 28

true or false: The existing program reduces the cap to another 50% that brings the total reduction of pollution to 70% below 1990 levels.

Answer 28

false - 75%

Question 29

true or false: Create a nitrogen oxide pollution trading program that reduces nitrogen-based air pollution by 75% below 1990 levels.

Answer 29

true

Question 30

what should be performed on a regular basis at least through the year 2020 to ensure ...

Answer 30

biological surveys chemical tests to ennsure that the pollution cuts made in the meantime have the anticipated effect

Question 31

what should the EPA administrators should have explicit authority to order new cuts to ____ and ____ without further congressional action

Answer 31

protect human health sensitive ecosystem

Question 32

acid rain forms when air pollutants such as ____, ____ and ____ mix with the rain to form acidic precipitation

Answer 32

sulfur dioxide carbon dioxide nitrogen dioxide

Question 33

it is the product of sexual reproduction in flowering plants

Answer 33

seed

Question 34

briefly explain dicotyledonous plants

Answer 34

seeds contains of a miniature plant, the embryo and two modified leaves, the cotyledons, swollen with food reserves the embryo- tiny, immature plant tht will grow into a new plant the cotyledons -the 2 modified leaves that r swollen with food reserves. it provide embryo with energy and nutrients to help it start growing

Question 35

testa - micropyle - plumule - cotyledons - radicle - epicotyl - hypocotyl -

Answer 35

testa - seed coat, encloses and protect the seed micropyle - hole which admits water when seeds to start to germinate plumule - embryo shoot , 2 leaves and a growing point cotyledons - modified leaves containing food reserves radicle - embryo root epicotyl - section of stem abv cotyledon stalk hypocotyl -section of stem below cotyledon stalk

Question 36

it is the growth of a plant inside its pod

Answer 36

seed germination

Question 36

what can be found in all the developed seeds

Answer 36

embryo

Question 37

what is requires for seed germination

Answer 37

water oxygen light certain temp

Question 38

the germination process

Answer 38

1. seed is shed, it is usually hard and dry, contain v. little water = dehydrated state, it is best suited to withstand drought and extreme temps - dry, dormant seed 2. condition becomes suitable for germination, the seeds takes in water through micropyle tissue absorbs water and swell and testa becomes soft radicle grow first, pushing through the testa and entering the soil either the hypocotyl or the epicotyl starts to elongate = carry the plumule upwards through the soil - absorbing water 3. elongation of the epicotyl brings the embryo out from between the cotyledons and through the soil leaving the cotyledons below ground - root emerges first 4. elongation of the hypocotyl brings the cotyledons and the plumule above ground - stem starts growing 5. the energy and raw materials required for growth come from the food (usually starch) stored in the cotyledon. - using food reserves So in simple terms, the germination process involves the dry, dormant seed absorbing water, the root emerging first, and then the stem growing in different ways to bring the cotyledons above or leave them below the soil, using the food reserves to fuel the early growth.

Question 39

types of germination process

Answer 39

epigeal germination: the cotyledon breaks out through the soil = elongation and rapid growth of the early part of the stem (hypocotyl) common in beans and castor hypogeal germination: the cotyledon remain buried within the soil as a result of the quick sprouting of the epicotyl (part of stem of the sprouting plant just as above the cotyledon) In simple terms, the main difference is that in epigeal germination, the cotyledons come up out of the soil, while in hypogeal germination, the cotyledons stay buried and the stem does the work of pushing up above the soil.

Question 40

requirements for seed germination: water

Answer 40

helps provide necessary hydration for the vital activities of protoplasm provide dissolved O2 for the growing of embryo softens the seed coats and increase the seed permeability helps rupture the seed and converts the insoluble food into soluble form for its translocation to the embryo

Question 41

requirements for seed germination: temperature

Answer 41

optimum tem: 15-30 degree Celsius maximum temp: 30-40 degree Celsius the response to temp depends on a number of factor including the species diversity variety growing region quality of seed duration of time form harvest

Question 42

requirements for seed germination: gases

Answer 42

CO2 concentrations higher than 0.03% retard germination while nitrogen gas has no influence O2 required for germination of most species - for metabolism and is used as part of aerobic respiration till it manage to grow its own leaves

Question 43

requirements for seed germination: light

Answer 43

environmental trigger many seeds do not germinate until sunlight falls on them

Question 44

it can be used to decide whether there is evidence of difference between the 2 populations means

Answer 44

p-value

Question 45

data and results: seed germination

Answer 45

germinated with water at pH lvl 5.6 grow at slower late with water at pH btwn 4-4.3

Question 46

data and results: plant growth

Answer 46

pH level of 4-4.3, it is limited growth or nor growth at all pH lvl 5.6 and with neutral water, grew at same rate

Question 47

data and results: factors affecting seed germination external factors

Answer 47

poor or excess supply of water temp below - slows down growth rate and metabolism temp high - stops germination process deficiency of O2 gas

Question 48

data and results: factors affecting seed germination internal factors

Answer 48

seed dormancy: restricts water-uptake and oxygen exchange undeveloped or immature embryo contains plant growth regulators that inhibits seed germination

Question 49

Guide Questions: what notable observations observations did you find for those seedlings subjected to simulated acid rain and those who grew in simulated rain water?

Answer 49

simulated rain water (pH5.6): seed germination is observed plant growth is same with seedlings watered with water simulated acid rain (4-4.3) seed germination is at slow rate plant growth is poor ir not at all

Question 50

Guide Questions: what other effects can acid rain induce to living organisms?

Answer 50

alter chemical characteristics of soil and water increase solubility of metals such as Al leaches heavy metal such as Zn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg = not safe for drinking decrease conc. of metals like Ca and Mg = poor vegetation, damage rooots, slow growth and makes plats weaker and more vulnerable corrodes metallic elements appearances harms phytoplankton some fish, sellfish or insects cannot tolerate acid rain = death increase nitrogen pollution that declines fish and shellfish population makes air hazy and difficult o see respiratory disease

Question 51

Guide Questions: what actions shall we do to prevent the occurrence of acid rain in our region or area?

Answer 51

reduceemission of pollutant gases by industry encourage production and use of renewable aand sustainable energy sources promote innovation and new technologies that optimize energy and developing renewable energy

Question 52

air is composed of

Answer 52

20% oxygen 0.03% CO2 80% nitrogen gas

Question 53

where can oxygen be found

Answer 53

in the pores of the soil particles but if the seed is buried deep it will be deprived of this oxygen

Question 54

it is the most essential factor and basis for vegetative growth and development

Answer 54

water

Question 55

what is the water content of mature, air dried seeds

Answer 55

in the range of 5-15%, well below the threshold required for fully active metabolism

Question 56

what is the p-value cut off

Answer 56

0.05

Question 57

it is used to compare samples from 2 independent populations to determine the associated population means are significantly different

Answer 57

two sample t-Test