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Chapter 18: Problem 27

For each of the following gases, make a list of known or possible naturally occurring sources: (a) \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\), (b) \(\mathrm{SO}_{2},(\mathrm{c}) \mathrm{NO}\)

Short Answer

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Natural sources for the gases: (a) Methane (CH₄): 1. Wetlands 2. Wild animals (e.g., livestock and termites) 3. Oceans 4. Volcanic activity 5. Natural methane hydrates (e.g., deep sea and Arctic permafrost) (b) Sulfur dioxide (SO₂): 1. Volcanic activity 2. Geothermal activity (e.g., hot springs and geysers) 3. Organic matter decomposition (e.g., waterlogged soils) (c) Nitric oxide (NO): 1. Soils (e.g., nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria) 2. Lightning 3. Forest fires 4. Volcanic activity

Step by step solution

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(a) Methane (CH₄) natural sources

1. Wetlands: Wetlands are the largest natural source of methane emissions, as anaerobic bacteria break down organic matter in waterlogged soils and release methane. 2. Wild animals: Many wild animals, such as livestock and termites, produce methane during their digestion process. 3. Oceans: Small amounts of methane are emitted from the surface of the ocean due to the decomposition of organic material. 4. Volcanic activity: During eruptions, some methane gas may be released from the Earth's crust. 5. Natural methane hydrates: Methane hydrates are found in the deep sea and Arctic permafrost, where methane is trapped in ice crystals. If these hydrates melt, methane is released into the atmosphere.
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(b) Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) natural sources

1. Volcanic activity: Volcanoes are a major natural source of sulfur dioxide emissions. When a volcano erupts, sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere. 2. Geothermal activity: Sulfur dioxide can also be emitted from hot springs and geysers, as it is released from the Earth's crust. 3. Organic matter decomposition: Sulfur dioxide is produced naturally during the decomposition of organic matter, particularly in waterlogged soils.
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(c) Nitric oxide (NO) natural sources

1. Soils: Soil bacteria like nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria produce nitric oxide as a byproduct of their metabolic processes. 2. Lightning: During lightning strikes, high temperatures briefly cause the nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere to react, creating nitric oxide. 3. Forest fires: During forest fires, the intense heat causes nitrogen in the atmosphere to react with oxygen, creating nitric oxide. 4. Volcanic activity: Along with sulfur dioxide, volcanic eruptions can release nitric oxide gas into the atmosphere.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

One of the principles of green chemistry is that it is better to use as few steps as possible in making new chemicals. How does this principle relate to energy efficiency?

(a) What is the difference between chlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons? (b) Why are hydrofluorocarbons potentially less harmful to the ozone layer than CFCs?

The Ogallala aquifer is the largest in the United States, covering \(450,000 \mathrm{~km}^{2}\) across eight states, from South Dakota to Texas. This aquifer provides \(82 \%\) of the drinking water for the people who live in this region, although most \((>75 \%)\) of the water that is pumped from it is for irrigation. Irrigation withdrawals are approximately 18 billion gallons per day. (a) The Ogallala aquifer might run dry, according to some estimates, in 25 years. How many cubic kilometers of water would be withdrawn in a 25 -year period? (b) Explain the processes that would recharge the aquifer.

(a) With respect to absorption of radiant energy, what distinguishes a greenhouse gas from a nongreenhouse gas? (b) \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\) is a greenhouse gas, but \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\) is not. How might the molecular structure of \(\mathrm{CH}_{4}\) explain why it is a greenhouse gas?

Would you expect the substance \(\mathrm{CFBr}_{3}\) to be effective in depleting the ozone layer, assuming that it is present in the stratosphere? Explain.
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