Chapter 3: Problem 15

How are sulfur impurities in fossil fuels related to the formation of acid in the atmosphere and acid deposition on the land?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Sulfur impurities in fossil fuels, when combusted, turn into sulfur dioxide. This sulfur dioxide then reacts with water in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid, which returns to the earth in the form of acid rain, increasing the acidity of soil and water bodies. Thus, these impurities are directly related to the formation of acid in the atmosphere and acid deposition on the land.

Step by step solution

Understanding the combustion process

Fossil fuels contain sulfur impurities, and when these fuels are burnt in power plants, vehicles, or factories, the sulfur in them reacts with oxygen in the air to form sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas.

Conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid

Once in the atmosphere, sulfur dioxide can combine with water (H2O) to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4), this reaction takes place in two steps, first sulfur dioxide is oxidized to sulfur trioxide (SO3) with the help of atmospheric oxygen, and then sulfur trioxide combines with water to produce sulfuric acid.

Acid deposition and its impact

This sulfuric acid is then carried over with the rain, and when it falls, it creates what is known as 'acid rain'. This acid rain increases the acidity of soil and water bodies, which can damage plants, aquatic life, and infrastructure. This entire process is how sulfur impurities in fossil fuels are related to the formation of acid in the atmosphere and acid deposition on the land.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Geography Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

How are sulfur impurities in fossil fuels related to the formation of acid in the atmosphere and acid deposition on the land?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the combustion process

Conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid

Acid deposition and its impact

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Geography Textbooks

Migration and Identity

Glaciated Landscapes

Superpowers of the World

Sustainable Urban Development

Living With The Physical Environment

Globalisation

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.