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Acid Deposition Measuring Acidity • pH scale (log scale) • 0-6: acid, 7: neutral, 8-14: base Normal Rain Water •pH of 5-6 •Due to CO2 + H 2O H2CO3 (carbonic acid) Acid Rain pH • pH is a 3-4 Acid Dep. from SO2 • SO2: Coal combustion from power utilities. • SO2 + H2O --->H2SO4 (Sulfuric acid) Acid Dep. from NO2 • NO2: Gasoline combustion and fertilizer application • NO2 + H2O --->HNO3- (Nitric acid) Terrance’s Future Wife… Effects of Acid Deposition Destroys Limestone! Before After An extra hole… Fish Deaths • Acid in lakes declining fish pops • Can only tolerate certain pH ranges. Hmm… Dinner! Plant Deaths • Acid in soils declining agricultural productivity • Plants can only tolerate certain pH ranges too! Tree Damage External damage to bark & leaves Little resistance to pests Lower rate of photosynthesis In Rivers and Oceans • Metals become ionic at lower pH taken up via ion channels of fish gills (Hg+2 /K+) Metal accumulation in food web metal toxicity in fish Plant Metal Toxicity • If metals sit in ground taken up by plants (plant metal toxicity) Soil Leaching • If it rains after acid breaks up metals into ions, then metals leave soil (soil leaching). Loss of nutrients Changes in Rain pH Why East Coast? Controlling Acid Deposition Reduce SO2 and NO2 emissions Switch to alternative energies (solar, hydroelectric) • Legislation: Clean Air Act Set standards on how much NO2 and SO2 are allowed to be emitted (NAAQS).