Environmental topics acid rain

Effects of aluminum in low pH solutions on aquatic biota, especially fish, and on land plants growing in acidic soil have been studied by various investigators (35-38). Although much of the work has assigned the observed toxicity to monomeric dissolved forms of Al, the behavior of polymeric species in biochemical systems is probably in need of more careful study than it has so far received. Schindler (39) in a review of the topic of environmental impacts of acid rain noted that aluminum is highly toxic to fish and quoted literature references to the effect that polymeric and colloidal aluminum hydroxide species may physically obstruct gill membranes and cause asphyxiation. The maximal pH range for this effect was reported as 5.2 to 5.4. 

Acid rain is an environmental issue that crosses state and national boundaries. Conduct library research on this topic and write a brief report. Include a description of the areas in the United States affected by acid rain, and the geographical source of the sulfur and nitrogen oxides that are responsible for acid rain in each region. 

Chemistry Links to the Environment relate chennistry to environmental topics such as global warming, radon in our homes, acid rain, and pheromones. 

The concepts of acids and bases are probably among the most familiar chemistry concepts. The environmental problem of acid rain is a popular topic in papers and magazines, and television commercials mention pH in relation to such products as deodorants, shampoos, and antacids. For chemists, acid-base concepts are arguably among the most important of all concepts in chemistry. The reason is that many chemical reactions can be characterized as some form of an acid-base reaction. 

Organic acids are present in all environmental compartments (e.g., air, water, and soil) and hence, matrices such as, air, rain, groundwater, soil pore water and also wastewater, drinking water, and landfill leachates have been analyzed. Organic acid concentrations can vary considerably ranging from low /rg/1 to several hundred mg/1. Research topics and applications where organic acids play an important role are numerous. Some of these are listed in Table 13.2. Before discussing... 

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