Chemistry Acid Rain

By Daniel Tucher and Christopher Sykes

Introduction

Issue: Acid Rain

Introduction
Acid rain is caused by Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and Nitric acid
(HNO3)
We chose to research this issue because it is one of the main
issues that we have read and heard about in chemistry class
so far. We also chose it because the United States is affected
by it greatly.

How is Acid Rain produced?

Burning oil, gas and coal in power stations releases Sulphur
Dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere.
Burning oil and petrol in motor vehicles puts nitrogen oxides
(NOx) into the atmosphere.
These gases mix with water droplets in the atmosphere
creating weak solutions of nitric and sulfuric acids. When
precipitation occurs these solutions fall as acid rain.

Formation of Acid Rain

How Sulfuric Acid is produced...

Sulfuric Acid is produced through four stages.

Sulfur is extracted in this equation- 2PbS(s)+3O2 -> 2PbO(s)+2SO2(g)

Organic and hydrogen sulfide is removed before it can be used in fuels or chemical feedstock.

Conversion of sulfur to sulfur dioxide- S(s)+O2(g) -> SO2(g).

As sulfur remains in the feedstock it is converted to sulfur dioxide.

The molten sulfur is then sprayed into a furnace this leads to a blast of dry air that measures about
1300 k.
Represented by a blue flame.

Sulfur is extracted.
Conversion of sulfur to sulfur dioxide.
Conversion of sulfur to sulfur trioxide.
Conversion of sulfur trioxide to sulfuric acid.

Conversion of Sulfur dioxide to Sulfur trioxide.

How Sulfuric Acid is produced...

Conversion of Sulfur trioxide to Sulfuric Acid.

As Sulfur trioxide reacts with water it is converted to Sulfuric

Acid.
Water itself cannot be used for absorption purposes.
Temperature rise increases and sulfuric acid mist is formed.
Difficult to handle.

How Nitric Acid is produced...

Nitric acid is made by the reaction of nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
with water.

Problem
Acid rain is a serious environmental problem that affects
large parts of the United States and Canada.

Particularly damaging to lakes, streams, and forests and the plants and
animals that live in these ecosystems.

Harmful to human health.

Causes acidification of lakes and streams, and contributes to
damage of trees at higher elevations.
Affects many sensitive forest soils.

Problem
Accelerates the decaying of building material and paints.

Irreplaceable buildings, statues, and sculptures that are part of our nation's
cultural heritage.

Video

History

First observed in the mid 19th century.

Acid rain or precipitation was not considered a serious issue until the 1970s.
Scientists observed and documented an increase in the acidity in lakes and rivers.

Scientists would discover that the cause of the increase of acid was a cause of sulfur dioxide.
Which is produced through the burning of coal.

Congress took action in 1980 releasing the Acid deposition Act.

When forests began to show signs of deterioration.

The name acid rain was given by Robert Angus Smith in 1982.
Smith determined that acid precipitation could bring damage to plants and trees.

This Act would grant a ten year research program under the National Acidic Precipitation
Assessment Program. (NAPAP)

In 1991, the NAPAP provided us with the first assessment of acid rain in the
United States.

History Continued....

They concluded that 5% of lakes in New England lakes contained acidic

conditions, and that 2% of those lakes could no longer support the Brook Trout.

In addition, 6% of the lakes were unsuitable for other kinds of marine life.

To help improve and reduce the amount of acid that destroyed the marine
ecosystem Congress took action.
Clean Water Act in 1990. (Refer to Solutions Section for further information)
Clean Air Interstate Rule. (2005)
Between 1990 and 2000 scientists have seen a significant decrease in the amount
of acid rain.
As of now research to help further decrease acid rain in our marine ecosystem has
gradually improved.

Resolutions
Limit the amount of NOx and So2 that enters the
atmosphere.
To understand and educate in the causes and
effects of acid deposition.
Cleanup of smokestacks and exhaust pipes.
Restoring a damaged ecosystem

Resolutions

1990 Clean Water Act:

2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule

This Program designed to control and reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Implemented in two phases.
Phase One began in 1995, and Phase Two began in the year 2000.
Resulted in 25% decrease in NOX emissions from all sources.
Solutions for power plant pollution that drifts over to nearby states.

We as ordinary citizens can help reduce acid rain by purchasing a catalytic

converter.

Catalytic converters help reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides released by cars.
Cars that produced less pollution help keep the planet green by producing clean air.
Educate others in the harmful effects of acid rain and how it slowly cripples our environment and
the species of animals and plants that live there..

Conclusion
Acid Rain is an environmental issue that affects the United States,
and even the whole world.
It is damaging to lakes, streams, and forests and the plants and
animals that live in these ecosystems. Also harmful to human
health.
Acid Rain is produced when sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen
oxides (NOx) react with each other and water droplets in the
atmosphere.
This reaction creates sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hence acid
rain.

Conclusion
Acid Rain was first observed in the mid 1950s, and was not
considered a serious issue until the 1970s.
Nowadays, Acid Rain is less of a problem, but still hasnt
been completely resolved.
Different rules and regulations have attempted to solve the
problems of Acid Rain.
One way we can solve the problem is by limiting the amount
of NOx and SO2 that enter the atmosphere.

Sources
"Acid Rain." Acid Rain. Internet Geography, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.
<http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/acidrain.html>.
"Acid Rain." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2016.
<https://www.epa.gov/acidrain>.
Acid Rain Students Site:What is being done? Acid Rain Students Site: What is
Being Done? N.P.,n.d.Web 23 Aprl. 2016 https://www3.epa.
gov/acidrain/education/site_students/beingdone.html

Sources
A Brief History. USEPA Web April, 24 retrieved from https://www3.epa.
gov/region1/eco/acidrain/history.html.
Sulfuric Acid- The Essential Chemistry Industrial online. Web April 24 retrieved
from http://www.essentialchemicalindustry.org/chemicals/sulfuric-acid.html.