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NoX
ACID RAIN |
Scientists have determined that air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels is the major cause of acid rain. The main pollutants creating acid rain are sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). Acid rain usually forms high in the clouds where sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water, oxygen, and oxidants. This mixture forms a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Sunlight increases the rate of most of these reactions. Rainwater, snow, fog, and other forms of precipitation containing those mild solutions of sulfuric and nitric acids fall to earth as acid rain.
About half of the acidity in the atmosphere falls back to earth through dry deposition as gases and dry particles. The wind blows these acidic particles and gases onto buildings, cars, homes, and trees. In some instances, these gases and particles can eat away the things on which they settle. Dry deposited gases and particles are sometimes washed from trees and other surfaces by rainstorms. When that happens, the runoff water adds those acids to the acid rain, making the combination more acidic than the falling rain alone. The combination of acid rain plus dry deposited acid is called acid deposition.
In both mobile and stationary energy production, NOx emissions are produced as a byproduct of fuel combustion (coal, fuel oil, and natural gas). Of these, coal burning produces approximately 76% of total annual emissions. Electric utilities account for more than one half of total NOx emissions, and approximately 90% of electric utility NOx is from coal fired power plants. Other sources are commercial and industrial facilities, and residences. During combustion, NOx is produced as a result of chemical interactions between nitric oxide and other combustion products.
Since the acid rain is a global problem, all countries, depending on the current environmental regulatory status and condition of economy will have to gradually enforce emissions reduction in the very near future. (U,.S. has the most aggressive implementation of emissions abatement which is likely to become a model for other countries)
Acid rain (sulfates, nitrates, and ground level ozone - smog) have significant adverse effects on human health (inhalable fine particles), and the environment, causing acidification (eutrophication) of lakes and streams, damaging of trees at high elevations, cause visibility degradation.
Of a particular concern to Greece (which is Lion Energy’s first stage development target market) is the fact that acid rain accelerates the decay of building materials, paints, and sculptures that are part of nation’ cultural heritage.
M.
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