SO2-NH3-particulate matter-H2O reaction system as related to the rainfall acidity

Nurtan A. Esmen; Robert B. Fergus

Treesearch

SO₂-NH₃-particulate matter-H₂O reaction system as related to the rainfall acidity

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Nurtan A. Esmen, Robert B. Fergus

Year:

1976

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: Dochinger, L. S.; Seliga, T. A., eds. Proceedings of the first international symposium on acid precipitation and the forest ecosystem; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-23. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. p.205

Download (PDF 37 KB)

Download (PDF 37 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/10516.pdf

Abstract

Acidity of rain water is a major concern due to the progressive acidification of soils, its effect of flora and fauna and its corrosiveness to metals. Sulfur dioxide, through chemical transformations and atmospheric scavenging, is thought to be one of the major contributors to the acidity of rainwater. The straightforward oxidation of SO₂ to SO₄ in the presence of ammonia and metal oxides should lead to a resulting pH higher than what is usually encountered and also to much faster disappearance of SO₂ during rain. These apparently contradictory conclusions may be reconciled by a more complete analysis of the reaction system.

Parent Publication

Proceedings of the first international symposium on acid precipitation and the forest ecosystem

Citation

Esmen, Nurtan A.; Fergus, Robert B. 1976. SO₂-NH₃-particulate matter-H₂O reaction system as related to the rainfall acidity. In: Dochinger, L. S.; Seliga, T. A., eds. Proceedings of the first international symposium on acid precipitation and the forest ecosystem; Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-23. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. p.205