IB ESS HL 8.3.5 Acid rain formation Question Bank

Practise IB ESS SL/HL 8.3.5 by applying acid rain formation concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.

[Maximum number: 3]

Figure:Atmospheric sources and processes related to acid deposition

the atmospheric sources-and-processes diagram shown above below shows some of the sources and processes that lead to acid deposition.

(a)

Burning fossil fuels produces gases often called $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ . State the names of the two acids usually produced when $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ dissolve in water.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Compare and contrast the trends in transport emissions for $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ , shown in the European transport-emissions chart shown above.

[ 2 ]

downward trend in emissions of both $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ and $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ have reduced at faster rate than $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ have reduced at slower rate than $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ ;
$\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ decline is more consistent/steadier than $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ decline is more fluctuating than $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ ;
$\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ reduced by only 30 % (accept values between 20-40\%) in 17 years, but $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ reduced by 70 % (accept values between 60-80\%)
NOx reduced by less than half as much as $\mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}} / \mathrm{SO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ reduced by more than twice as much as $\mathrm{NO}_{\mathrm{x}}$ ;

Credit appropriate numerical comparison of the data.
Responses must compare and contrast.

Marking guidance:

Do not award marks for describing trends for only one pollutant.

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8.3.5—Acid rain formation question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)