Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
2005/2006
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2005/2006
Acid Precipitation
Acid rain is atmospheric precipitation at pH = 4.0-4.4 Atmospheric pollutants NO2 and SO2 generated by coal-fired power plants react with photochemically generated OH. radicals to give HNO3 and H2SO4 aerosols: SO2 + OH HOSO2 HOSO2 + O2 HO2 + SO3 SO3 + H2O H2SO4 NO2 + OH HNO3
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Burnmoor Tarn
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pH of Atmospheric Deposition UK
The susceptibility of soils to damage by acid rain is strongly dependent upon the bedrock lithology: Limestone and chalk deposits are not susceptible to acidification. Rocks containing Al minerals such as feldspar, muscovite, are more susceptible.
Consequences of Acidification
(In Soils) In soils, increased acidity releases Al into the soil solution (as Al3+, Al(OH)n3-n). The excess Al damages root hairs of plants. 2H+ + 3KAlSi3O8 + 3H2O = Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 7SiO2 +Al(OH)4- + 3K+ Acid input also releases cations such as K, Ca, Mg from smectite clays and decreases soil fertility. H+ + K(Mg0.5Al3.5)(Al0.5Si7.5)O20(OH)4 = H(Mg0.5Al3.5)(Al0.5Si7.5)O20(OH)4 + K+
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Consequences of Acidification
(In lakes) Trout cannot live at pH < 5.0. In lakes, increased acidity releases Al into solution (as Al3+, Al(OH)n3-n). Al is toxic to fish.
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Solubility of Al vs. pH
The aqueous aluminum concentration that may result from acidification is a function of the major mineralogy of the host rock.
Aqueous Speciation of Al
Positive cations (Al3+, Al(OH)2+ and Al(OH)2+) may act as exchangeable cations in clay interlayers. Alhydroxy ions may also sorb to mineral surfaces..
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Summary
Buffer capacity of a lake/soil to acidification is dependant upon the mineralogy of the rock. Major problem results from dissolution of Al under acidic conditions. Acidification is believed to be improving in the UK due to emission controls.
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