Acid Rain (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
0Still learning
Know0
- FrontAcid Deposition
Why is unpolluted rainwater naturally mildly acidic?
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (29)
Why is unpolluted rainwater naturally mildly acidic?
Unpolluted rainwater is mildly acidic because atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) dissolves into water droplets to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).
True or False?
Acid rain is any rain with a pH below 7.
False.
Normal rainwater is already mildly acidic, so acid rain is rain with a pH below about 5.6.
Define acid deposition.
Acid deposition is the fall of acidic pollutants, formed from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, onto Earth's surface in wet or dry form.
Name a natural source of the gases that cause acid deposition.
Volcanic eruptions are a natural source of the gases that cause acid deposition.
Dry deposition occurs close to the pollution source and is usually in the form of matter.
Dry deposition occurs close to the pollution source and is usually in the form of particulate matter.
Which acids form when SO₂ and NOₓ react with water in the atmosphere?
SO₂ and NOₓ form sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃).
How does the strength of the acids formed from SO₂ and NOₓ compare with natural carbonic acid?
Sulfuric and nitric acids are far stronger than carbonic acid, so they push the pH of precipitation below the natural baseline.
True or False?
Wet deposition usually falls close to the source of the pollution.
False.
Wet deposition (acid precipitation) falls at a distance from the source, because the pollutants dissolve in precipitation first.
Which sources are major contributors to SO₂ emissions?
Power plants that burn coal, oil, or natural gas are major contributors to SO₂ emissions.
Where do most NOₓ emissions come from?
Most NOₓ emissions come from vehicle exhausts.
Why does burning some fossil fuels release sulfur dioxide?
Some fossil fuels contain sulfur compounds, which release SO₂ when they are burned.
What type of process produces nitrogen oxides?
Nitrogen oxides are produced by high-temperature combustion processes.
SO₂ and NOₓ react with naturally occurring gas to form secondary pollutants.
SO₂ and NOₓ react with naturally occurring ammonia gas to form secondary pollutants.
How do dry acid particles form in the atmosphere?
Sulfuric and nitric acids combine with ash and other particles in the air to form dry particles.
Acid deposition is more likely to affect locations of big industrial regions.
Acid deposition is more likely to affect locations downwind of big industrial regions.
Define transboundary pollution.
Transboundary pollution is pollution that affects countries other than the source of the emissions.
Which compound in limestone and marble reacts with acid deposition?
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) reacts with sulfuric or nitric acid, causing stonework to corrode and weaken.
True or False?
Acid deposition damages stone buildings but not metal structures.
False.
Acid deposition reacts with metals as well as rocks, so metal structures also corrode.
Which metal ions become toxic to fish as the pH of a lake falls?
High levels of aluminum ions become toxic to fish, affecting their respiratory systems, impairing growth, and even causing death.
Acid rain lowers soil pH, which dissolves essential and nutrients that plants need to grow.
Acid rain lowers soil pH, which dissolves essential minerals and nutrients that plants need to grow.
How do acid particulates on leaves prevent gas exchange?
Acid particulates block stomata (plant pores), preventing gas exchange.
Why are coniferous forests such as pine and spruce especially vulnerable to acid deposition?
Coniferous forests are especially vulnerable because the trees have shallow root systems and thin bark.
Which plant process does sulfur dioxide interfere with?
Sulfur dioxide interferes with photosynthesis, harming forests and trees.
Which three factors affect how strongly acid deposition affects a region?
Soil thickness, soil composition, and bedrock type affect the impact of acid deposition on a region.
True or False?
Regions with limestone bedrock suffer the worst effects of acid deposition.
False.
Naturally occurring calcium or limestone deposits neutralize some of the acids, reducing the effects of acid deposition.
Why are mountainous areas of the Northeast US sensitive to acid deposition?
Mountainous areas of the Northeast US have thin soil, which cannot neutralize rainwater acidity because of its limited depth.
Define episodic acidification.
Episodic acidification is a short-term increase in acidity in lakes caused by seasonal snowmelt or strong rain.
How does acidic fog at high altitudes affect trees?
Acidic fog and clouds can deplete tree nutrients, leaving trees weaker and less able to survive freezing conditions.
Where do most of the acidifying pollutants deposited in Sweden come from?
Most acidifying pollutants deposited in Sweden are carried on winds from other countries and from international shipping.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or