Notes On Properties And Formation Of Sulfur Oxides

Volcanic eruptions not only give burning lava to the environment but the eruptions also release sulfur into the air (Mattox). This may sound familiar as coal burning power plants

The ozone is a form of oxygen that combines three oxygen atoms in each molecule. Its important because its like a filter. CFCS, also known as, chlorofluorocarbons are used to break up some of the ozone molecules

c) Word equation: Sulfur + Oxygen = Sulfur Dioxide Balanced equation: S + O2 = SO2 (toxic gas) Word equation: Sulfur dioxide + water = Sulfurous acid

This is due to the ejection of approximately 200 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere (Ethridge, 2005). This mammoth quantity of substance can cover Britain knee-high (Tillotson, 2016). Sulfur dioxide is a reflective aerosol; this means it reflects incoming radiation (.

At higher altitudes, sulfur dioxide can undergo a series of chemical reactions affecting the environment. For instance, by reacting with water vapor, sulfur dioxide can create sulfate ions, precursors to sulfuric acid. Besides elevating the risk of acid rain, the ions can also react to form particles that reflect

Acid rain occurs because of the dissolution of acidic oxides in the atmosphere. When these two compounds are released into the air, they form acid rain, which are nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide S + O2 SO2, which is produced by natural means, like volcanoes and industrial processes such as the burning of fossil fuels (brown coal) C + O2 CO2. The two compounds dissolve in water and are carried very far by wind where they become part of snow and fog. Oxides from sulfur and nitrogen react with moisture in the clouds

Goodeve, captivated by the volatility of unstable molecules and compounds, went on to research the severely understudied oxides of chlorine, and later, the oxides of sulfur. His studies included determining the heats of dissociation of Cl2O and ClO2 in a calorimeter and measuring vapour pressure. His research on oxides of sulfur focused on the oxidation of sulphurous acid solutions, and on the formation of sulphuric acid mists from water vapour and sulphur trioxide. Though a mechanism for removal of this mist was devised in the lab, it was not realistically applicable to

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas with an irritating odor that cannot be seen or tasted. It is considered as one of the air criteria pollutants along with carbon monoxide, particulate matter, ground-level ozone, lead, and nitrogen dioxide by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). SO2 belongs to a group of highly reactive gases called sulfur oxides (SOx) which reacts easily with other substances to form harmful compounds, such as sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid, and sulfate particles. Exceedingly reactive gases are those with a high potential to change under specific states of pressure, temperature, light, or upon contact with another compound. For instance, when sulfur dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it dissociates in water

Sulfur aerosols are very dangerous natural gases formed when sulfur melts at around fifty degrees fahrenheit that are usually released into the atmosphere at great heights. They mix with ash and other debris, forming large plumes that can travel across the sky for miles. They also go very high into the sky, spreading out in every direction. These giant plumes of sulfur aerosols form deep in the earth inside volcanoes until enough pressure and gas build up and they are injected into the air. These plumes are still present after a year, and disappear after two years.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with precipitation, oxygen, and other substances in the atmosphere to form acid rain.

Sulphur dioxide is naturally released into the atmosphere by volcanic activity and geothermal hot springs. Since volcanic activity varies year to year, it is difficult gain an accurate measure of the increase in atmospheric sulphur dioxide due to industrial sources.

In contrast to this, sulphur dioxide, which also condenses to create acid rain, plays a more critical role in climate change. This is specifically seen in the fluctuation in global temperatures. Mills(2000) posits that sulphur dioxide is responsible for the major stratospheric perturbations. Harpp(2005), Grotzinger and Jordan(2014) and Self(2009) agree with this however Self(2009) argues that the impacts of other gases on climate change should also be studied in detail. It is reported by both Grotzinger and Jordan(2014) and Self(2009) that the presence of the sulphur dioxide gas in the stratosphere will result in the cooling down of the global temperatures. This is corroborated by both Harpp(2005) and Mills(2000), however they also argue that

The sulfur dioxide has great detriment for plants and human beings. Its toxicity is large and has corrosivity and decomposability. “Sulphur is a highly noxious venom for people's health, although we can be more resistant than other creatures that live with us. For example, the level of 0,3 µg per cubic metre of air implies a potential risk for human health, but for trees, 0,2 µg is extremely dangerous. In 1956, the London smog (caused by sulfuric acid mist) led to more than 4700 deaths. The pollution of sulfur dioxide has direct effect on human beings and animals’ life. When human body absorbs the sulfur trioxide or sulfuric acid mist formed by sulfur dioxide, its stimulation and detriment would be more significant, even though its density is only 1/10 of sulfur dioxide. Some experiments have proved that the physiological reaction caused by sulfuric acid mist is four times of sulfur dioxide. If he density of sulfur dioxide increases double each year, the death rate would increase by 11%.

In today’s atmosphere, carbon dioxide (CO2) amounts to 400 parts per million (ppm), but it hasn 't always been that high, or low, depending on what we are comparing it to. It is a trace gas that is vital to Earth’s atmosphere and has been around since the creation of Earth’s first atmosphere, which occurred shortly after the planet’s creation. The advent of Earth’s second atmosphere happened when lighter gases such as hydrogen escaped into space or were bound to molecules, leaving gases like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other gases that were the product of volcanism to make up the majority of the atmosphere. This volcanic activity was fueled by gases that came to Earth following the “late heavy bombardment of huge asteroids”. Following

A study was done in South Durban using the health risk assessment model adopted from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the Health effects of the air pollution from Sulphur dioxide. Inhalation has been identified as the Sulphur Dioxide’s main route of exposure hence it affects the respiratory system. Prevalence range of respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic cough, chronic phlegm, blocked runny nose and sinusitis.