PRELIMINARY CHEMISTRY ASSESSMENT TASK 1. Identify the sources of pollution which accompany the combustion of organic compounds and explain how these can be avoided. Combustion refers to the burning of a substance in oxygen. It is a process in which a self-sustained chemical reaction occurs at temperatures above those of the surroundings. Combustion of organic compounds can result in detrimental impacts on the environment such as the generation of acids and production of carbon monoxide, particulates and soot.
Course # Student name / Names of members of group Date: Exp # : Estimating the effects of acid rain Introduction: Precipitation that measures a pH value below 5.6 is generally considered as acid rain. Burning fossil fuels is the main reason for the elevated levels of gaseous oxides in a polluted atmosphere that in-turn forms acid rain. Gaseous oxides such as that of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus could dissolve in water to form an acidic solution. A generalized reaction sequence on the formation of acid rain is as follows; One of the determinants of clean water in the natural environment is its alkalinity. Alkalinity can be defined as the capacity to neutralize acids.
The wind blows these acidic gases into building, cars, homes and trees. Water that runs of these buildings adds acid to the acid rain, making the combination more acidic than regular rain. Acid rain is measured by a pH scale, the lower the number, the more acidic, Vic versa. The effects of acid rain are, damages of forest soils, fish and other living organisms, it also affects lakes, streams and causes aluminum to be highly toxic to species and aquatic organisms. In North America acid rain affects the Adirondack and the Catskill Mountain in the state
This precipitated water runs off into storage areas and later evaporates into the atmosphere once again. As this is a closed, circular system, we can begin the discussion at any point. It is perhaps clearest to start with the movement of moisture from Earth’s surface into the atmosphere. Zone of saturation, in which all pore spaces in the soil and cracks in the rocks are fully saturated with water. The moisture in the zone is called groundwater; it seeps slowly through the ground following the pull of gravity and guided by rocks structure.
In partial oxidation plants with oil-fired auxiliary boilers the reduction of SO2 emissions can be achieved by using low sulphur fuel oil. From steam reforming plants with a fired primary reformer, emissions into air come from the various sources such as flue-gas from the primary reformer, vent gas from removal of carbon dioxide, breathing gas from oil buffers (seals / compressor) and also from non-continuous emissions (venting and flaring) (Ave, Evan Nieuwenhuyse, 2000). For pollution related to water, it may occur due to process condensates or due to the scrubbing of waste gases containing ammonia under normal operation. Process condensate is found in the condensation section prior to the carbon dioxide removal, of the order of one meter cube per ton of ammonia produced. Without treatment this condensate can contain up to 1kg of ammonia and 1kg methanol per m3.
· Condensation occurs as the vapor rises into the atmosphere, creating clouds and fog. Once clouds are formed, advection -- the movement of water in its various states -- through the atmosphere. Without advection, the cycle would screech to a halt, as the water would evaporate and precipitate (the next step) in the same place. · Precipitation occurs when the vapor that condensed comes back out of the sky as rain, snow, sleet, hail. Most of it comes back to the ground or body of water, but some of it is intercepted by plant foliage and evaporates back to the atmosphere instead of making it to the ground, in a process called "canopy interception."
Introduction Storm water runoff is unfiltered water which flows across impervious surfaces and goes into creeks, rivers, lakes, and the ocean (“Stormwater Runoff”, 2010). When contaminated materials are included in storm water’s pathway, the storm water carries pollutants. Also, storm water erodes materials on its pathway. Pollution caused by storm water is called “storm water runoff pollution”. In the U.S., the storm drain system (it is connected to the drain of gutters, driveways, and streets) is usually separated from the sanitary sewer drain system (connected to toilet and sink, for example) which deals with pollutants.
Discussion: A and B are the elements while BC and AC are compounds. In the reactivity of Group 1A metals with water, we had identified that A is a metal while B is hydrogen. The activity of a metal is the tendency of a metal atom to loose electrons to become a positive ion. The metals in Group 1A are even more reactive than the hydrogen and are able to push hydrogen out of solution. The equation for the reaction is known as: Metal + cold water [pic]hydrogen(H2) + metal hydroxide (MeOH) The reaction is very exothermic and had the tendency to allow the hydrogen to ignite a fire.
Large amounts of methane and other poisonous gases released into the air from the gas wells contribute to heavy air pollution and global warming. Fracking has been linked to movement of radioactive materials and heavy metals from the underground layers of the earth to the surface through flow-back
Sulfuric Acid is a strong acid that exists as a colorless oily corrosive liquid and is made by reacting sulfur trioxide with water. This is most commonly found in batteries, manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, detergents, dyes and other different chemicals. Sulfuric Acid is very dangerous to humans as it can cause respiratory tracts of humans and other animals while doing some major damage to plants that helps provide oxygen for us. Ground-level ozone is a secondary air pollutant formed when sunlight triggers reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile hydrocarbons. If a human inhales ground-level ozone it can cause chest pain, throat irritation, and congestion.