Environmental scienceLesson 3 of 4 in the course Air pollution

Acid Rain: Chemistry, Environmental Effects, and Control

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces acid rain, how acidity is measured, and how acid-forming pollutants develop in the atmosphere.

Acid rain is rain or other precipitation that is unusually acidic. In this unit, acid rain is defined as rain with a pH below 5. The lower the pH, the greater the acidity. Typical acid rain has a pH around 4–5, while readings below 2.4 have occasionally been reported in industrialized areas.

All flashcards

How does the logarithmic pH scale relate pH changes to hydrogen-ion concentration?
A one-unit decrease in pH corresponds to a tenfold increase in hydrogen-ion concentration.
Why is unpolluted rain naturally mildly acidic?
Dissolved carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid in rainwater.
How can acid deposition damage limestone and marble?
Acids react with carbonate stone, contributing to surface loss and flaking.
How can low pH affect soil microbes?
It can kill sensitive microbes or impair their enzymes and nutrient-related processes.
Which pollutants linked to acid deposition can harm respiratory health?
Nitrogen dioxide, sulfur compounds, and inhaled acidic particles can irritate or damage airways.

Quiz questions

  1. In a common wet flue-gas desulfurization system, how is sulfur dioxide removed from power-plant exhaust?Answer: Exhaust passes through lime or limestone slurry, producing removable calcium sulfate.
  2. In a sulfur dioxide cap-and-trade program, what does the emissions cap do?Answer: It limits total emissions, while allowances authorize specified emissions.
  3. At what water pH will most fish eggs fail to hatch, according to the stated threshold?Answer: Below pH 5.
  4. Why can tall smokestacks allow acid-forming pollutants to affect distant regions?Answer: They release pollutants higher in the atmosphere, allowing longer transport before deposition.
  5. What is the main driver of global ocean acidification?Answer: The continuing rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Based on the Wikipedia article Acid rain, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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