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Sulfur DioxideSulfur DioxideSulfur dioxide is a reactive

gas released by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, that contain sulfur.

In the United States, 67% of SO2 emission comes from electric utilities.

Sulfur dioxide is linked to increased asthma symptoms.

How Acid Rain is FormedHow Acid Rain is Formed1. Burning coal at a power

plant produces sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxides (NOx) from its smoke stack.

2. These acidic gases combine with water in the clouds to form sulfuric acid.

3. Acid rain falls, impacting the environment.

pH Scale: Acids & BasespH Scale: Acids & Bases14

13

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Base

Acid

Mayfly: 5.5Salamander: 5.0

Perch: 4.5Frogs: 4.0

Drain Cleaner

Bleach

Soapy Water

Ammonia

Milk of Magnesia

Baking Soda

Sea Water

Pure Water

Healthy Lake (6.5)

Clean Rain (5.6)

Acid Rain (4.3)

Orange Juice/Vinegar

Lemon Juice

Sulfuric Acid

Battery Acid

Environmental Impact on FishEnvironmental Impact on FishAcid rain can sterilize a lake or pond by increasing acid levels:1.Small aquatic plants are destroyed.2.Fish that feed on those plants lose a food source and may become weaker and smaller. 3.Birds and mammals that depend upon fish in their diet are deprived.4.The entire ecosystem is weakened.

Environmental Impact on TreesEnvironmental Impact on TreesWeakens trees and

forests, making them susceptible to disease and parasitic insects.

Lowers the growth of forests as tree tops die off, especially in high elevation forests such as the Appalachian Mountains from Maine to Georgia.

Loss of habitat for wildlife.

National pH LevelsNational pH Levels

Animated Map of Sulfur Reductions

Local Air Quality MapLocal Air Quality MapFive Sulfur Dioxide Monitoring Sites1.Taft (Clifton)2.Colerain (Colerain Twp)3.Amanda (Middletown)4.Made (Middletown)5.Yankee (Middletown)

Air Quality IndexAir Quality IndexAir Quality

Index Protect Your Health 2012 Days

Good 0-50 No health impacts are expected when air quality in this range.

127

Moderate 51-100 Unusually sensitive people should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

206

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

101-150 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

30

Unhealthy 151-200 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

3

Very Unhealthy

201-300 Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.

0

Hazardous 301-500 Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects

0

Convert SO2 readings to the Air Quality Index

Acid Rain ExperimentAcid Rain ExperimentBuffering: soil’s ability to absorb acid rain depositsMaterials for each group:1 soil sample1 funnel; 1 coffee filter1 cup of acid rain solution1 cup to “capture” acid rainpH paper

Acid Rain ExperimentAcid Rain ExperimentInstructions:1.Place coffee filter inside funnel.2.Place soil sample in filter.3.Slowly pour acid rain solutionover soil sample; collect filtered water in Styrofoam cup.4.Test filtered water with pH paper.

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Base

Acid

Drain Cleaner

Bleach

Soapy Water

Ammonia

Milk of Magnesia

Baking Soda

Sea Water

Pure Water

Healthy Lake (6.5)

Clean Rain (5.6)

Acid Rain (4.3)

Orange Juice/Vinegar

Lemon Juice

Sulfuric Acid

Battery Acid

Grinds coal to a fine powder

Burns coal at such

high heat, it converts

into steam

Large air filters that

separate pollutants like SO2 &

NOx

Used to “scrub”

pollutants with H2O

& limestone

Releasesgaseous

air pollutants

Steam moves through

hundreds of blades at an

incredible speed

Increases the voltage of the

electricity

Then, an electromagnetic reaction creates

electricity

A coal plant running at full capacity needs two million tons of coal per year and produces 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide!

ScrubbersScrubbers