Sulphur dioxide
How is acid rain made?
SO2 + O2 --> SO3 SO3 + H2O --> H2SO4
Uses of SO2
- making H2SO4 - food preservatives
How is it formed?
- smelting - mining
Acid rain indirect effects
- loss of species - reduced crops - effects food chain.
Acid rain direct effects
- acidification of soil/water ways
Properties of sulphur dioxide
- colourless gas (physical) - non-persistent (chemical) -Attaches to dust/soot particles to form particulates - dissolves readily in water vapour producing H2SO4 (chemical) - Naturally occurring- mobile - Denser than air (physical) - Luster (physical)
SO2 effect on environmental health
- erosion of buildings - acidification of soil and waterbodies - global diming - ecosystem degradation.
Ambient air quality limits
-per hour: 0.20 ppm -per day: 0.08 ppm - per year: 0.02 ppm
Scrubber system
-removes some of the pollutant from the emissions, through slurry.
SO2 sinks
-soil - plants - water - organic matter
What is sulphur dioxide?
2 oxygen atoms and one sulphur atom.
SO2 sampling
Use of UV light
acid rain effects
- erosion of buildings -acidification of soil and water - degradation of ecosystems
Chronic SO2 effects
- heart disease - Respiratory illness (asthma, bronchitis) - premature death
Acute SO2 effects
- irritation of eyes - burning of skin - wheezing and coughing
Anthropogenic sources of SO2
- mining - fossil fuels - smelting - emissions from cars
Controlling emissions
- scrubber systems - coal containing low sulphur emissions - legislation - renewable energy
Natural sources of SO2
- volcanoes - decomposing organic matter - forest fires
Transport mechanisms of SO2
- wind -water - soil
Pathways of SO2
1. sulphur is released and reacts with oxygen, t form SO2. 2. It can then be transported on the wind. 3. The particulates can attach to dust/soot creating sulphate particulates= global diming. 4. It then dissolves in atmospheric moisture to form H2SO4. 5. Acid rain precipitates to the ground. 6. Move through waterbodies and into soil. Acidification.
Sulphate particulates
Sulphates become stuck on dust and soot in the atmosphere. This forms particulates. Clouds reflect incoming radiation, causing global diming, as rays are reflected by particulates in the air.