Reducing Acid Rain

Reduce SO 2 and NO x Energy conservation Use coal containing less sulfur Use scrubbers in smokestacks Substitute natural gas for coal Use catalytic converters in cars Use alternative energy sources

Is acid rain a global problem? Reactions of sulfur oxides to from sulfuric acid are quite slow Sulfur dioxide may stay in the air for 3- 4 days Acid rain from sulfur dioxides can travel hundreds to thousands of miles depending on the winds

Is acid rain a global problem? Nitrogen oxides remain in the air for about half a day and only travel tens or hundreds of miles

Where is the acid rain? Prevailing winds of N. America transport pollutants southwest to northeast The 9 largest coal burning states are in the Midwest and the Ohio River valley ~2/3 of the acid rain in the Northeast US and Eastern Canada comes from these sources Destruction of the maple sugar bush in VT, ME, NH, and Quebec has totaled into the billions of dollars

Liming The only method that can be used to restore acidified lakes, soils, and rivers Apply crushed limestone onto a field or body of water Calcium carbonate reacts with the acidity raising the pH Must be repeated if more acid deposition is received