Ecology: Biology of Interactions. 6.11. Acid Rain
Fossil fuel, the bread of the modern economy, was formed from the biomass of past geological eras. In addition to carbon and its compounds, fuel also contains sulfur and nitrogen. When such fuel is burned, sulfur and nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere...
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6.10. Ozone and the destruction of the ozone layer
D. Shabanov, M. Kravchenko. Ecology: Biology of Interaction Chapter 6. Human Ecology and Conservation
6.12. Smog
6.11. Acid rain The technical expansion of humanity is sublimated, i.e., culturally acceptable forms, sadism. Sigmund Freud The pH of rainwater is usually around 5.6 units due to the dissolution of carbonic acid in rainwater (a neutral solution has a pH of 7). However, if acids get into rainwater, its pH will decrease. And where can acids appear in the air? Fossil fuels, the "bread" of the modern economy, were formed from the biomass of past geological eras. In addition to carbon and its compounds, fuel contains sulfur and nitrogen. There is especially much sulfur in lignite, and nitrogen in peat. When such fuel is burned, sulfur and nitrogen in the form of their oxides are released into the air. Dissolving in water, they turn into sulfuric, sulfurous, nitric, and nitrous acids. As a result of these processes, the pH of rain over Western Europe is usually 4.5, often 4.0. In the Los Angeles area, the pH of fog is 2.5–3.0. Rains with a pH of 1.5 have been recorded! Acid snow is especially dangerous. Rain falling from the sky as a more or less strong acid causes various changes on the ground. Among them: — damage to plant leaves, leading to the destruction of forests (cedar, beech, and yew are especially sensitive) and reduced crop yields; — leaching of Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+, which intensifies soil degradation; — aluminum, cadmium, mercury, and lead dissolve more easily in acidified water from bottom sediments and soils, leading to an increase in their impact on ecosystems; — poisoning of lakes, disappearance of fish, arthropods, waterfowl; — destruction of mountain forests leads to landslides and mudflows; — architectural monuments, especially those made of limestone and marble, are rapidly destroyed, and the service life of equipment is reduced; — an increase in human diseases, primarily due to damage to the respiratory tract and eyes. How to combat this phenomenon? Use filters for emissions that trap sulfur and nitrogen oxides in combustion products. It is better to purify fuel during its preparation for combustion. And finally, the most important thing – reduce the use of fossil fuels.
6.10. Ozone and the destruction of the ozone layer
D. Shabanov, M. Kravchenko. Ecology: Biology of Interaction Chapter 6. Human Ecology and Conservation
6.12. Smog