Unit 9: Acid Deposition

Question 1

What causes acid rain?

Answer 1

NOx and SO2 go through reactions with water and oxygen and are transformed into nitric and sulfuric acid. These break into nitrate, sulfate, and hydrogen ions.

Question 2

Where do acid rain causing pollutants come from?

Answer 2

Natural and anthropogenic combustion processes that release SO2 and NOx.

Question 3

What are the effects of acid deposition?

Answer 3

Decrease in the pH of water, decreased species diversity, mobilization of metals, eroded building, damaged aquatic food chains.

Question 4

What is acid rain?

Answer 4

Rain that has a pH of 4.2-4.4, while clean rain has 5.6.

Question 5

SO2 source

Answer 5

Coal fired power plants, metal factories, diesel fuel burning.

Question 6

NOx source

Answer 6

Vehicle emissions, diesel generators, coal power plants.

Question 7

What does acid rain do to soil?

Answer 7

Depletes the soil of nutrients because of high hydrogen ions that also increase the solubility of toxic metals.

Question 8

How do we limit acid rain?

Answer 8

Reduce NOx and SOx

Question 9

How can we mitigate acid rain damage after it happens?

Answer 9

Limestone to neutralize.