Sulfur Oxides/ Acid Rain

Question 1

60% of SO2 emissions in US come from ______.

Answer 1

electric utilities (coal burning)

Question 2

T/F Sulfur is not present in fossil fuels.

Answer 2

F

Question 3

T/F What is the dominant source of air emissions?

Answer 3

Coal-Fired Power Plants

Question 4

Other Sources of SO2

Answer 4

• Industrial facilities that derive raw materials (ore, coal, crude oil)
• Locomotives, ships, metal processing factories etc.

Question 5

____ contributes to the formation of acid rain.

Answer 5

SO2

Question 6

SO2 Health Effects

Answer 6

• Aggravates existing heart and lung disease.

- Contributes to respiratory illness.

Question 7

T/F Sulfur can be transported over long distances.

Answer 7

T

Question 8

What is acid rain?

Answer 8

• SO2 and nitrogen oxides react with other substances in the air to form acids, which fall to earth as rain, fog, snow, or dry particles.
• Some may be carried by the wind for hundreds of miles.

Question 9

Sulfates + Nitrates = ______.

Answer 9

acid aerosols

Question 10

Negative Effects of Acid Rain

Answer 10

• Damages trees, crops, and historical buildings

- Makes soils, lakes and streams acidic

Question 11

T/F The solution to pollution is dilution.

Answer 11

FALSE

Question 12

Consumption of fossil fuels has increased/decreased in Europe.

Answer 12

increased

Question 13

How does acid rain destroy buildings?

Answer 13

accelerates decay of material and paints

Question 14

Respiratory Effects from Sulfate Particles

Answer 14

• Increased respiratory symptoms and disease
• Difficulty breathing
• Premature death

Question 15

T/F Sulfur has been controlled by the clean air act.

Answer 15

T

Question 16

How are sulfate particles formed

Answer 16

SO2 reacts with other chemicals

Question 17

Acid rain composition

Answer 17

sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and other acids and heavy metals

Question 18

Harvard Six-Cities Study

Answer 18

• 30 year longitudinal
• Increase in particulates correlate with increase in mortality.
• Cities with highest particulate levels had highest mortality from lung cancer and cardiopulmonary disease.

Question 19

What is a scrubber?

Answer 19

• Preventative measure
• Produces pH neutral calcium sulfate that is physically removed by scrubber.
• Sulfates can be used for industrial purposes!

Question 20

Other preventative measures

Answer 20

• Scrubber

- Filters to control particulates

Question 21

SO2 and NOx emissions are expected to increase/decrease in the future.

Answer 21

decrease

Question 22

Cap and Trade

Answer 22

• Part of Clean Air Act
  1) Full sector coverage to reduce emissions.
  2) Cap on emissions: Government only allows a fixed quantity of substances.
  3) Monitoring: measurement and reporting of emissions.
  4) Trading: Unrestricted trading and banking, minimizes compliance cost.