CHAPTER

Chemistry of the

15 Environment

CHEM WATcH

Scan this page to watch a cip on ar polutior

Before watching, discuss what you exoect o
see or hear.

? QUESTIONs

Ihe mMOst comman se

v o i n o erupt er is SuO
burn VWhyisths se

In June 2019ount Sinabung, a volcano in Indonesia, erupted and Acid ran kills rsh n e

sent a large amount of ash and other air pollutants almost 8 km into
the atmosphere. Fow the aatnih

Pollutants can harm our health

and
cause envlronmental problems
Such as haze, acid rain and global warming. Many of Man's activities
have not only polluted the atmosphere, but water bodies lke rlvers
and oceans as well. We should take care of our envlronment and our
health by reducing water and alr polution. What can we do to reduce
Water and air pollution?

259
 Chapter 15

15.1 Water in Practical Chemistry

Inthis section, you will learn the following
Describe two chemical tests for the presence of wate,
Describe how to test for the purity of water,
xplain why distilled water is used in practical chemistry.

Earth. More than 70%6

of the tartns suftace Is Coere
OSt Common substance
e
water from
on

seas, rivers and lakes.

two chemical tesStS
tiat wil shion ita
rde water is colourless, odourless and tasteless. There are
a substance contains water.

How do we test for the presence of water!

LINK

Recall from Chapter 10 Test with anhydrous cobalt(l1) chloride

that the reaction between blue to pink. Cobaltl) chlarice E
water and CoCl, and the
Wdier changes the colour of anhydrous cobalt() chloride from
Contains anhydrous cobalt() chloride and is used to test for the presence of water (Figure 15
reaction between water
and CuSO are reversible cobalt(1) chloride
reactions. paper
CoCls)+ 6H,O) CoCl,6H,O(s)
anhydrous cobaltll) hydrated cobalt()
chloride (blue) chloride (pink)
Figure 15.1 Testing for e
QUICKCHECK heat With cobalt(ll) chlorice

The sample is heated in a test-tube and a piece of cobalt() chloride paper is placed at the mcur
When ice is added to the test-tube. If there is water present, the cobalt(|) chloride paper will change from blue to pin
water in a beaker, the
side of the beaker gets
COvered with a layer of Tast with anhydrous copper(l) sulfate
liquid after sometime. eRi Changes the colour of anhydrous copper() sulfate from white to blue.
This liquid turns cobalt
paper blue. anhydrous
copper(l) sulfate
True or false? s ) + 5H,0() CuS0,.5H,0(s)
2rinius copper(|) hydrated copper(ll)
sulfate (white) sulfate (blue)
Figure 15.2 Testing CT Var
With copper(l) suirure

Add a few drops of the sample to some anhydrous copper(|) sulfate (Figure 15.2). If there is water
present, the anhydrous copper(|) sulfate will change from white to blue.
The tests with CoClHs) and CusO,s) show the presence of water only. They cannot be used to tes:
for the purity of water.
ENRICHMENT
THINK
On Mount Everest, water How do we test for the purity of water?
boils at 69C instead of
100°C. This is because the Pure substances have precise melting and bOIlng points. Pure water melts at 0C and boils at 10
air pressure at the top of
Impurities will
Mount Everest is much
lower than the standard
lower the melting point ofice;
air pressure, Would you
.increase the boilng point of water;
cause melting and bollng to lake place over range of temperatures.
of
expect the boiling point
water in a pressure cooker
We can tell whether there are impurities present by meaSUr
ing the and boiling points of te
melting
to be lower than 100'C caraple, The more impurlties present n the saniple, the more the melting and boiling points diter
or

higher than 100°C? Why? lor pure water.

from the temperatures expected

Environment
260 Chemistry of the
 Chapter 15

Why is distilled water used

ater is not pure. it contains
practical chemistry?
dissolved solids like calcium
aluminium ions. salts and impurities like chloride aro
he Other hand, distilled water
consists of
tc+illed water. only water molecules.
able to get accurate results by usingThere
Ihererore, we are is close to no
in practical chemistry. distilled water Ov water

Let'sPractise 15.1
1 State the observation (if
any) when a drop of water is added to
(a) aqueous copper() sulfate
(b) anhydrous cobalt() chloride;
(c) anhydrous iron() sulfate.
Does tap water boil at 100'C? Explain your answer. LINK
2
3 Suggest one reason why tap water is not used in practical chemistry.
Exercise 15A
Mind Map Construct your ovwn mind map for the concepts that you have learnt in this section.

15.2 Water from Natural SourcesS

In this section, you will learn the following:
sources contains a variety of substances
State that water from natural harmful.
these substances are beneficial and some are potentially
State that some of

water dissolves and

an exclient
solvent for a wide variety of solids. For example, blood
Water is Our bodily fluids, such as
inerals and nutrients necessaryfor plant growth. water. Water is also a good
transports i dissolved in
solutes
important oxygen in
saliva, c * a i n many biologically on the dissolved
of plants and animals depend
and
The respiration the waterthey live in.
solvent for r y gases. from
oxygen
in dissolved
their tissue. survive by taking

such as
Water from natural
sources

lakes contains a variety of

rivers and
substances such as

.dissolved oxygen;
.metalcompounds;
plasticS; wORD AL
sewage;
Microbes: tinylivin
harmful microbes things that ane too smail to

nitrates from fertilisers; be seen by the naked e e

phospthates from fertilisers

and detergents.

survival.
water
for
in
oxygen
dissolved

the
quatic life depends on
Environment 261
Chemistry of the
 Chapter 115
What beneficial substances are there
in natural
sources of water?
1Dissolved oxygen
Aquatic lifelike fish and turtles need dissolved oxygen for breätning
2 Metal compounds
Metal compounds like aluminium,,calcium and potassium salts provide
essential
sfor the
minerals fe

growth of plants and animals.

What potentially harmful substances are there in

natural sources of water?
sources.
igure i5.3 shows the potentially harmful substances in water from natural

*ENRICHMENT
INFO
Eutrophication
When nitrates and
phosphates get washed
into bodies of water,
they promote the
rapid growth of algae.
This process is called
eutrophication.
When the algae die,
they are decomposed
by aerobic bacteria
which use up dissolved
oxygen for respiration.
Many aquatic organisms
die due to the oxygen
depletion in the water.
y t f u l sSubstances in waterirom natural sOurces

1s npouds
Alti g n some metal compounds are beneficial, many are harmful as well. The industrial waste
from chernical plants and factories can contain toxic metal compounds, such as those of lead
and mercury. When this industrial waste is discharged into rivers and seas, the water becomes
polluted and unsuitable for life.
wORD ALERT4-2 2 Plastics

Biodegradable: can be
decomposed by bacteria
or other living organisms
LINK
Youwillearn more
about the environmental
challenges caused by
plastics in Chapter 19.
Plastic waste durnped into rivers and seas pollutethe water. Some plastics are biodegradable
while others are not. Non-biodegradable plastics harm aquatic life. Aquatic animals may choke
on bits of plastic or get poisoned when they ingest the plastic.
3 Sewage
Untreated sewage released into rivers and seas contains harmful microbes that can cause
diseases in humans and animals.
4 Nitrates and phosphates
Fertilisers and detergents contaln nitrates ancd pliosplhates which are soluble in water. When
fertilisers and detergents are wasihed no ivers aki kikeS by 1ain, they encourage the rapid grown
of alaae. Respiration by the algae l e s to a eCIese n the level of dissolved oxygen. This cJUses
the deoxygenation of water, wIhere the oxygen suppiy in the water is slowly depleted. The fish
that live there die due to the lack ol dlssolved oxyjen.

262 Chemistry of the Environment

15.3 Purification of Chapter 15

the Domestic
In
Water Supply
this section,
you will learn
Describe the purification the
of the
domestic following: water
ter
The water that reaches our
supply.
homes comes from
drinking. Figure 15.4 shows the
main reservoirs.
stages that occur in a It has to be tretreated first to make it safe for
water treatment
plant.
Screen of
solids
metal grids clumped
particles

Al SOa)s
FeCl3
Reservoir
Screening Coagulants added
Water is collected The water is Sedimentation
passed Coagulants such as
andstoredin through a sCreen of aluminium The clumped particles A-2 WORD ALERT
reservoirs. metal grids to sulfate increase in size over
remove large solids Al2(SO4)3) and iron (l) time.They eventually
Carbon Sedimentation: the
like leaves, twigs chloride (FeCl) are settle to the bottom settling of fine partidles
and other litter. added to the water. of the tank in a Suspended in a liquid
The coagulants make
the fine process called
particles of
dirt and dissolved sedimentation.
Sand
impurities clump ENRICHMENT
together so that they INFO
can be removed
Ozone
easily.
Gravel Besides chlorine, ozone
is also an effective
disinfectant against
= - bacteria. Ozone is widely
used in water treatment

Drinking water Storage tank Chlorination Filtration

The water that
reaches our homes
is safe for drinking.
The treated water Chlorine is added in Powdered carbon is
ENRICHMENT*
is stored in a carefully controlled added to remove THINK
storage tank to be amounts to kill unpleasant tastes and Additional chemicals
distributed. microbes, preventing odours in the water. such as lime (Ca0) are
water-borne diseases Water seeps through added to the water after
like typhoid and layers of sand and
cholera. This process gravel and undergoes
chlorination. Suggest why
of disinfection is filtration. Any lime is added to the water
called chlorination. remaining fine
particles are removed.

Figure 15.4 Main stages in the treatment of water QUICK CHECK

Boling can be used to kill
bacteria in water.
True or false?

Chemistry af the Fnwironmant

 Chapter 15
15.3
Let's Practise15.2and
water.
in
of w a t e r
d i s s o l v e d
pounds deoxygenation
compou
harmful effect
of metal the
State one lead to
5 u b s t a n c e s

that from?
types of
come
2 (a) Name two s u b s t a n c e s
ypes
of to
two plant
(b) Where do these t r e a t m e n t
water
used in a
3 Name the substance
(a) kill microbes;
a n s e r
yOur
Explain
(b) remove odours.
t r e a t m e r n t ?
have
learnt in thee tin.
thatyou
water
sullate in
LINK FWB8 4 What is the use of alumin for the
concepts
mind map
own
your
Exercises 15B-15C 5 Mind Map Construct
15.4 Fertilisers
following:
will learn the
In this section, you are used
as fertilisers.
salts and nitrates
State that ammonium improved plant
growth.
for
the use of NPK
fertilisers
Describe
growth. Besides wat
importance
waterfor plant elements of are called
learnt about the Ihese
the previous section, we
e n v i r o n m e n t for
healthy growth.
n need many elements
from the
phosphorus
and potassIum.
plants nutrients are nitrogen,
plant nutrients.The main plant
Plants need phosphorus to produce
APlants need nitrogen tobuild proteins
and produce healthy leaves. healthy roots.
Crops remove plant nutrients from the sOil as
they grow. These nutrients have to be replaced
byfertilisers
Fertilisers are chemical compounds containiny
plant nutrients which are essential for plant
growth. They enable plants to grow faster, di
hence increase crop yield.
Plants need potassium to produce
healthy flowers and fruits.
Chemistry of the Environment
264
NitrogenOus
erOgenous fertilisers
fertilisers Chapter 15

soil. Table
ferent amounts15.1OTshoWScontain
ne

the compounds that

nitrogen, common types of produce nonium ions or nitrate ions
Table 15.1 Some
phosphorus
nitrogenous fertilisers and nitrogenou
ous fertilisers ifferent fertilisers contair

Nitrogenous fertiliser potassium.

Ammonium nitrate Formula
NH NO,
Made from
Composition
Ammonium phosphate ammonia and nitric acid LINK
Contains 35% of
(NH)PO, nitrogen by
mass
Made frorm ammonia and
Contains 28.2% of nitrogenphosphoric(V)
Potassiurm nitrate acid Pecall frorn Chapter 6
KNO Made from nitric acid and
by mass how to find the

potassium pescentage ConOStion

Contains 13.9% of hydroxide ofa cormpovund.
nitrogen by mass
NPK fertilisers
NPK fertilisers contain
a mixture of nitrogen (N), cuCK CHECK
phosphorus (P) and potassium The numbers 16-20-13
on a sack of NPK fertiliger
(K) compounds. Figure 15.5 indicate tat t contains
shows a typical label on a sack 16% nitrogen, 20%
of NPK fertiliser. The numbersS platinum ard 12
18-24-12 refer to the composition potassium

Fertiliser
of the nutrients present: 18% True or false?
nitrogen, 24% phosphorus and
12% potassium compounds.
Farmers can buy NPK fertilisers 18-24-12
that contain different
proportions of these elements
to suit the soil and the crop
being grown. Large quantities of
NPK fertilisers are needed for oil
palm and rubber plantations.
It is important to note that
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
and other plant nutrients cannot
be absorbed directly by plants in
the form of elements. Plants can of
NPK fertilisers indicate the composition
take in nutrients only in the
form Figure 15.5 The labels
on

each nutrient.
of soluble compounds.

Let's Practise 15.4

fertiliser?
for use as a
nitrate suitable
I s calcium
nitrogen in urea?
Explain your answer. is the percentage of
fertiliser. What
the label?
is a
nitrogenous
l6-8-24. What
can you infer from
2Urea, CO(NH) labelled wants to use Fwa LINK
fertiliser is Ieeded il a larmer
NPK
A bag of
lertiiser
3 (a) ammonium
nitrate
of Exercise 15D
Calculate the
mass
leannt in this tion.
sectic
(6) on his farm. corncepts
that you
have
nitrogen
87.5 kg of mind map
for the
own
Construct your
4 Mind Map
ap

Environment 265
Chemistry of the
 Chapter 15
Air
15.5 Composition of following:
In this section, you
will learn the
dry, air,
State the composition of clean
DarivEet to prter,
3ctS 3, a
atrmosphere
atnmosphere.
The
Earth is called the Earth varrn
e airsurrounding and keeps
*ENRICHMENT the excessive radiation
from
of the Sun that are needed by allihire.
and cormp0und;
Earth
INFO
elernents o clear, dr/ air,
It contains
irna sarniple
mixture ofseveral by volurne ofgases
d gases.
S the composition
things. lable 152 shows
by volume of clean, dry
air
Table 15.2 Composition
Composltlon by volume /%
Gas
78
Nitrogen
21
Oxygen
Other gases
Atmospheres of Other 0.97
noble gases (mostly argon)
Planets 0.03
carbon dioxide
The atmospheres of
are the noble gasesS
(miostly argon), cart
other planets in the solar and oxygen. The rest
ne main gases
in air are nitrogen widely around the world,
system are very different
dioxide and water vapour. The amount of
water vapour in air can vary
from that of Earth. forest.
almost 0% in a desert to about 5% in a tropical
Mars has an atmosphere
of mainly carbon dioxide
(95%) while Uranus has
an atmosphere of mainly Worked Example 15A
hydrogen (83%6). until the reacticr
made to pass through heated copper
200 cm of clean, dry air in syringe A was
was complete.
copper
LINK Pwe
Practical 15A
syringe A syringe B
heat
The gas in syringe B was then allowed to cool to its original temperature.
What is the volume of gas collected in syringe B?
QUICK CHECK Solution
Since oxygen makes up 21% of air, the maximum volume of oxygen that will react
The percentage of carbon
dioxide in clean, dry air is
about 0.3%. 2x200
100
True or false? = 42 cm
Therefore, volume of gas collected in syringe B
20042
158cm
266 Chemistry of the Environment
 Let's Practise 15.5 Chapter 15
When clean air
gradually. Why? is
bubbled
2
sample of clean air is through pureWater,
As
w the pH of the water
drawn decreases
through the apparatus
air -
apparatus Sshown Figure 15.6.
ne
as in

U-tube Copper

anhydrous
copper sulfate -to suction
pump
heat
-limewater
(a) What will Figure 15.6
you observe
(b) Explain your in the
() U-tube;
answer in
(a). ü) limewater;,(iin)
conclusion aboutWriteair down coppe
c) Stat
tate one the symbol
3 Dry air in
syringe A is passed that you can
equations
an draw from
tor une
i
over this experiment.
heated copper until all
the oxygen has TedLu
ted.

copper

syringe A
heat syringe B

The volume of gas

collected in syringe B at the
What is the initial volume of
end of the reaction is 128 cmP.
dry air? fwe LINK
Mind Map Construct your own
mind map for the
concepts that you have learnt in tnis Secuo
Exercise 15SE

15.6 Air Pollution

In this section, you will learn the following:
.State the sources ofcommon air pollutants.
State the adverse effects of common air pollutants.

Clean air is important for

healthy living. Unfortunately
much of the air we breathe
in is not clean. It contains

pollutants that are harmful

to us.
condition
Air pollution is the
in which air contains a high
Concentration of chemicals
or
that may harm living things
damage the environment.

the main
Motor vehicles are
in
SOurce of air pollution

busy cities. Environment 267

Chemistry of the
 Chapter 15
Sources of common air pollutants
and harmful gases in the air
poilution is caused bysolid particles (called
particulates)
The substances are called air pollutants. Carbon dioxide

.When
carbon-containing
fuels such as Coal,crut
are burnt in excess oxygen.
oiland natural gas
complete combustion occurs to forrn carbon dit
1Oride
(CO2) and water.

.Methane is the main component of natural gas

The complete combustion
of methane produces
carbon dioxide and water.

Practical 15B
LINKW methane + oxygen carbon dioxide +water
CHg)+20,(g) CO,(g) + 2H,O(g)

Carbon monoxide and

particulates

When
of
carbon-containing fuels are burnt in a limited supply
oxygen, incomplete combustion occurs to form carbon
monoxide (CO), water and
Particulates are very small
particulates (carbon soot).
particles (such as dust or soot)
Suspended in the atmosphere.
For example, the
incomplete combustion of methane will
produce carbon monoxide, water and carbon
(soot).
methane + Oxygen - carbon
monoxide +water + carbon
4CH(g)+ 50,(g) 2CO(g) +8H,Olg) +2C(s)

LINK
Methane
Methane is an organic
Compound.
You will learn more about
Methane is a colourless and
organic compounds and gas. It is odourless
methane in Chapters 16 produced when plant and animal
matter decomposes.
and 17.
Livestock like sheep and cows give offt
methane due to the digestion of food.

268 Chemistry of the Environment

 Chapter 15

Oxides of nitrogen
Comb
engines
I n car en

nhines withwhere the

(NO).in teairmperat
oxygen
nitrogen monoxide to ures are
form the very high,
nitrogen
nitroge colourless gasnitrgen
+Oxygen
Ng)+Og) 2NOg)nitrogen monoxide
trOgen
Nitrc
monoxide
nitrogen dioxide (NO,)reacts with
oxygen to form a
brown gas,
nitrogen monoxide+ oxygen.
2NOlg)+O{g)+2NOIg) nitrogen dioxide

ENRICHMENT
INFO
Sulfur dioxide

Fossil fuels contain sulfur

compounds.
When they are burnt in motor vehicles,
power stations and factories, sulfur is
Converted to sulfur dioxide.
Trans-boundary Pollution
sulfur +oxygen sulfur dioxide Winds may carry air
S(s)+Olg) S0,g) pollutants from countryy
to country, affecting
areas far beyond the
actual source. Pollution
that originates in one
country but causes
damage in another
country is called
trans-boundary pollution.

Environment 269
Chemistry of the
 Chapter 15

Adverse effects of air pollutants adverse

possible
shows
the
15.3
Table
environment.

affect our health and the

Air pollutants
can

effects of common air pollutants. environment

the
health and
Table 15.3 Adverse effects ofairpollutants
o n our
Effects
which leads to
Air pollutant warming,

dioxide
lead to global
carbon
levels of
Carbon dioxide (CO) Higher

climate change
in blood and
haemoglobin
with
of the be
is a toxic gas.
It reacts
oxygen
to the rest
body.
to transport
monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) arbon
haemoglobin death.
the ability of which may
lead to
reduces difficulties

his c a u s e s breathing

in the air, such

small particles
matter (PM) are very smoke. High levels of
particulate or
Particulates Particulates or
toxic metals
(like lead) and cancer
(soot), problerns
dust, ash, carbon respiratory
the risk of
as
increase
particulate pollution

whicrh leads to
climate change
lead to global warming,
Methane (CH) Higher levels of methane

to form acid rain.

the atmosphere
with rainwater in
Oxides of nitrogen Oxides of nitrogen react life and plants
harms aquatic
(NO and NO) which corrodes buildings and
nitric acid
water + oxygen
nitrogen dioxide +

4NO,(g)+2H,O() +O,(g) 4HNO,(aq)

of light to form photochemical
in the presence
They also react with hydrocarbons oxides of nitrogen can cause respiratory
and
smog. Both photochemical smog
problems.
ENRICHMENT
INFO
to form acid rain.
Sulfur dioxide (SO;) Sulfur dioxide reacts with rainwater in the atmosphere
sulfur dioxide + water +oxygen Sulfuric acid
2S0,(g)+2H,O) +0:g) 2HS0,(aq)

Worked Example15B
Photochemical Smog
Photochemical smog Asample of air in a city was found to contain oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide
appears as hazy brown (a) Which gas is not involved in the corrosion of metal structures? Explain your answer.
air. It reduces the visibility
of air and causes serious
(b) Which of these gases are produced in motor vehicles?
respiratory problems.
Solution
(a) Carbon monoxide will not corrode metal structures as it is a non-acidic gas.
(b) Oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide are produced in motor vehicles.
*ENRICHMENT
ACTIVITY
Search the Internet to
find out which world-
famous monuments are
damaged by acid rain.

270 Chemistry of the Environment

Let's Practise 15.6 Chapter 15
Choose from
m the
gas more than
once
following list of gases to
or not at all o
answer the
dnswer
questions below. You can use eacn
carbon dioxide
carbon monoxide
Name oxides of nitrogen methane
sulfur dioxide
(a) a toxIC gas;
(b) a gas
produced from the
(c) a
gas produced by the decomposition of vegetation,
(d) two gases that form incomplete combustion of
acid rain petrol;
2 (a) Name an air pollutant
that
(i) increases the risk
of
(ii) causes respiratory problems and
climate change. cancer
(b) Identify the sources
of these air pollutants LINK
Mind Map Construct your own
mind map for the
concepts that you have learnt in d on. Exercise 15F
>

15.7 Global Warming

In this section, you will learn the following:
Describe how greenhouse
gases can cause global warming.
Carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases. They play important roles in maintaining9a
uniform temperature on Earth's surface.Without these greenhouse gases, the Earthis surface would CHEM WATCH
be covered with ice
Scan this page to watcha
Some heat from the Sun is absorbed by Earth's surface, while some heat is reflected back into space. clip on climate change.
The surtace of Earth also emits heat. Before watching, discuss
Greenhouse gases trap the heat which is reflected and emitted by Earth (Figure 15.7). The heat what you expect to see.

retained in the atmosphere produces a warming effect called the greenhouse effect.

The heat absorbed warms the Earth's

Earth's
surface, but some heat rises from the
Some heat is absorbed by the surface and escapes into space.
surface and its atmosphere, but
some

heat is reflected by the atmosphere ENRICHMENT

into space. INFO
The Paris Climate
Agreement
The Paris Agreement was
adopted by nearly every

A
nation in 2015. Under the
Agreement, industrialised
nations pledged to reduce
their annual emissions

Heat Heat from the the a

Sun passes
through the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere trap some of
of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases
that contribute to global
the heat and warm the
warming.
Earth's surface.

effect
igure 157 The greenhouse
271
Chemistry of the Environment
 Chapter 15 amount
of h e a t
trapped in the

the larger
the temperaterature due to the
I h e greater the amount of greenhouse gases,The
average
increase in Earth's warming will lead to
QUICK CHECK atmosphere, and the hotter Earth mes.
Increased global
of greenhouse gases is called global warming.
DUd-up
Carbon dioxide is not climate change on Earth.
the only gas that causes
global warming.

15.8 Reducing Air Pollution

True or false?

In this section, you will learn the following:

State and explain strategies to reduce the efect of acid
rain.
how they are removed by
oxides of nitrogen are formed in car
engines and
now
catalytic converters.
State and explain strategies to reduce the effect of limate change.
dioxide and water to rorm glucose in the
D e S i o e photosynthesis as the reaction between carbon

presence of chlorophyll and using energy from light.

State the word equation for photosynthesis.
9State the symbol equation for photosynthesis.

How can we reduce the effects of acid rain?

ACid rain is caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen into the
atmosphere. These are some ways to reduce the emission of sulfur dioxide and oxides
ofnitrogen into the atmosphere.
1 Install catalytic converters in vehicles.
Catalytic converters oxides of nitrogen
convert to nitrogen which is harmless.

S Oxides of nitrogen include nitrogen monoxide (NO) and

nitrogen dioxide (NO).

Nitrogen monoxide is a colourless gas, while

nitrogen dioxide is a brown gas.

In engine where the temperature

a car
is very high,
nitrogen combines with oxygen in the
air to form nitrogen monoxide.

nitrogen+oxygen nitrogen monoxide

N(g)+O,(g) 2NO(g)
Nitrogen monoxide reacts with more oxygen to
form nitrogen dioxide.

nitrogen monoxide +Oxygen nitrogen dioxide

2NO(g)+O,(g) 2NO,(g)
Aerial liming is used to reduce
the Sous
reservoir in Czech
acidity o
Republic.
 Chapter 15
ehaust gases such as oxides of
Exh
moved uSing catalytic nitrogen, carbon monoxide
yen, Carbon monoxide and
and unburnt hydrocarbons can be
fit converters.
with catalytic converters To reduce air
unburnt iy
pollution, the exhaust systeri ronst cars are no
(Figure 15.8).

(Hot exhaust gases containing

oxides of nitrogen and unburntcarbon monoxide,
are passed over the
platinunm andhydrocarbons
catalysts in a catalytic converter. rhodium

ceramic material
coated with platinum
and rhodium catalysts

CO, NO, NO, CO, H,O

and CgH18 and N2

T h e harmful pollutants are converted into harmless substances by redox reactions:

.Carbon monoxide is oxidised to carbon dioxide.

carbon monoxide + oxygen carbon dioxide

2CO(g)+O,(g) 2C0,(g)
Oxides of nitrogen are reduced to nitrogen. LINK

nitrogen+ carbon dioxide

+ carbon monoxide Recallfrom Chapter
1
monoxide
nitrogen
2NOg)+2CO(g) Na(g)+2CO,(g) the concept of axidation

and reduction
oxidised to carbon dioxide
such as octane are
Unburnt hydrocarbons
and water.

carbon dioxide + water vapour

Octane + Oxygen
16CO,.(g) + 18H,O(g) LINK
2CH1s(g) +250,(g)
Hydrocarbons are organic
converter
Figure 15.8 Catalytic
compoundscontaining
only carbon and hydrogen
atoms. You will leam more
about this in Chapter 16.

into the atmosphere.

The most
Use low-sulfur fuels.
dioxide
2 emissions sulfur
of
reduce the
fuels will
lovw-sulfur fossil fuels
altogether.
Using to
sulfur from
remove

eTective approach is

Environment 273
Chemistry of the
 3 Use flue gas
desulfurisation. called flue gas.
Ine process of
Ihecombustion of fosil fuels produces a mixture
l odasulfurisation.
desu
emoving sulfur dioxide from flue gas is called flue gas
Figure 159 shows a flue gas desulfurisation (FGD)
plant

clean gas (mainly

carbon dioxide
and air)

calcium
oxide and
water

purification
chamber
flue gas
(sulfur dioxide)
alciu
oxide

calcium sulfite chimney

Figure 15.9 Flue gas desulfurisation plant

HELPFUL NOTES
Besides calcium oxide,
calcium carbonate
can also be used for
desulfurisation. Calciumn
carbonate reacts with
sulfur dioxide to form
calcium sulfite and
carbon dioxide.
QUICK CHECK
The reaction of calcium
oxide with sulfur dioxide
is a redox reaction.
True or false?
SSLiTUr dioxide passes through the plant, it reacts with an aqueous suspension ofcalcium oxideto
form solid calcium sulfite
(CaS0).
calcium oxide +sulfur dioxide calcium sulfite
CaOls)+SO(g) - CaSO,(s)
The calcium sulfite is further oxidised to calcium sulfate
by atmospheric oxygen.
2CaSO,(s)+0,g) 2CaSO,(s)
Worked Example 15C
From the Iist below, select the chemicals that can be used for flue
gas desulfurisation.
Explain your answer.
calcium carbonate calcium chloride
calcium hydroxide
calcium nitrate calcium oxide
Solution
Calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide,
Desulfurisation is the process of
removing sulfur dioxide from flue gases, Slnce sulfur dioxíde is an acidic
with bases or carbonates. Therefore, calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, it will react
can be used.
hydroxide and calcium oxide

274 Chemistry of the Environment

 Chapter 15
How can we reduce the
effects of climate change!
We can reduce global
warming by cutting down on the amounts of carbon
being reiedsed into the diOxi a
atmosphere. This willin turn reduce the effects of climate
some strategies that can be
used. charije. i are

1 Decrease the use of fossil fuels.

LINK
Thecombustion of fossil fuels produces carbon
by using cleaner sOurces of
dioxide. We can cut back on the us" yels
energy. Porall fror raprer 7
2 Increase the use of
hydrogen fuel. the adiartare ard
Hydrogen does not cause pollution. Water ivarterge, fLing
is the only product when hydrogern redd v" .
yds-/Ye fel
3 Increase the use of renewable
Wind and the
energy. c ererj

sun are
renewable sources of energy that will never run
ou

Wind turbines convert energy

from wind into electricity.

converled into
Solar eeryy be
Can

cells,
clecticily by solaf

Environment 275
Chemistry of the
 Chapter 15
4 Plant more trees.
atrnosphere thrOUgh
e s remve carbon dioxide, a greenhouse
qreenhouse gas, frorn the
gas, frorn tne o lesseris the effect of
Pi e glohal viarmirng and
Osynthesis n g more trees helps reduce
hanc
climate change
use Carnon dioIOE and viaterte
Photosynthesis is a chernical process by which green plants energy tro n light (Figue
uce glucose (Ct,O,) in the presence of chlorophyll and using
15.10).The word equation can be writtern as
Sunlight
glucose + OXygen
carbon dioxide + water
chlorophyll

Ihe symbol equation for this process can be written d

CH,O,(aq) + 60,(9)
6CO,(g)+6H,O()
QUICK CHECK Photosynthesis takes place only in sunliaht and in green leaves. Sunlight provides t e erer

andchlorophyll, the green piqment in leaves, acts as a catalyst in the reactiOn, Ine guco
Deforestation leads to
prOduced in photosynthesis is converted by the plant into starch and celluiose
climate change.
True or false?

carbon dioxide
from the air +
energy in
Sunlight

*ENRICHMENT
ACTIVITY
"Tree planting is one
of the easiest and best
things that we can all
do to reduce climate
change"
Do you agree with this
statement?
Get into groups of three
or four and discuss the
pros and cons of tree
planting to reduce
climate change.
Photosynthesis is the
process by which plants
produce food and oxygen. Oxygen
It is an important process
given off
because animals cannot
make their own food.
Plants provide humans glucose produced
and animals with food
and oxygen.
Figure 15.10 Photosynthesis water absorbed
by green plant
by roots

276 Chemistry of the Environment

Reduce livestock farming.
Cows, shee
eep and other Chapter 15
theemisSion farm animals
of
methane intoaals produce rnethane, Red
produce
atmosphere.methane, Reducing
the
iyestock farrriing vill
eggr
Let's Practise 15.7 and
15.8
1
Explain how greenhouse
Figure 15.11 shov Some ofgases can cause climate charnge
Converter. the gases
from car exhaustt that
th enter and lea1e
a catalf

CO, NO, NO,

and C,H8
CO, HO
and N,

catalyst
Figure 15.11
(a) Write the
equation, with state symbols, for the reaction in the catalytic converter tnat
(i) converts carbon monoxide
to carbon dioxide;
(i) nitrogen dioxide (NO,) to
nitrogen;
(ii) octane (CsH3) to carbon dioxide.
(6) Which gas leaving the catalytic
your answer.
converter is an environmentally harmful gas? Explain

3 State the chemical reactions that take

place in a flue gas desulfurisation plant.
4 (a) What is photosynthesis?
(b) Write the word equation to describe photosynthesis.
5 (a) S Write the symbol equation to describe photosynthesis.
(b) State and explain the conditions necessary for photosynthesis to take place
6 State and explain three methods that can be used to reduce the effect of (a) acid rain
(b) climate change.
Mind Map Construct your own mind map for the concepts that you have learnt in Exescises G-
these sections. EveciseSUs Ree

Chemistry of the Environment 277

Chapter 15

CHEMISTRY

Let's Map It OF THE

is used to ENVIRONMENT

Anhydrous cobalt(1) test for the

Air
chloride presence of
Water
Anhydrous copper(l)
sulfate

Fertilisers
cobalt(l)
chloride anhydrous
paper copper(l)
sulfate

nitrates
Ammonium saltsand
provide nitrogen,
heat NPK fertilisersand potassium to plants
phosphorus

has
in natural may
SOurces contain

precise melting contains beneficial and Air pollutants

and boiling points Clean, dry air
harmful substances
if it is pure
which include
can be
Consists
purified by
of Carbon dioxide
sedimentation Carbon monoxide
78% nitrogen Particulates
carbon to remove taste
and odours
21% oxygen
1 % other gases - noble gases
Methane
Filtration and carbon dioxide
Oxides of nitrogen
chlorination to kill Sulfur dioxide
microbes

Carbon dioxide and methane Oxides of nitrogen Sulfur dioxide

Lead to global warming Cause acid rain and Causes acid rain
Can cause climatechange photochemical smog
Respiratory problems

Carbon monoxide Particulates

Toxic Increase risk of
Causes breathing difficulties, respiratory problems
or even death
and cancer

which have adverse effects

Climate change Acid rain

can be
reduced by can be
reduced by
using hydrogen fuel
using renewable energy
using catalytic
converters
planting more trees using low-sulfurfuels
decreasing the use of fosil fuels using flue gas
reducing livestock farming desulfurisation

278 Chemistry of the Environment

 Chapter 15

Let's Review

section A: Mutiple-choice Questions 7 Which of the following processes produce carton

diside?

Which statements about water are in excess orygern

correct? 1 Burning of rnethane gas
Drinking water has a boiling point of 100°C. 2 Heating sodiurn carbonate cartonate
2 Water turns blue anhydrous with sodiun
copper() sulfate pink. 3 Reaction of sodiurm hydroxide
3 Water is produced when an acid Respiration of plants
and animals
reacts with a carbonate. 4
4 Water is produced when exhaust A 1,3 and 4 only
through a catalytic converter. gases are passed
B 1and 4 only
A 1,2 and 4 only C 2and 3 only
B 1 and 3 only D 2and 4 only
a y contribute to
C 2and 3 only of gases i
8 Which of the following pairs
D 3and 4 only global warming?
methane
Which statement is not correct? A Carbon dioxide and
2 dioxide
B Carbon dioxide and nitrogen
A Carbon is used to kill microbes in water treatment.
sulfur dioxide
B Carbon is used to remove taste and odour in water C Methane and
dioxide
treatment. D Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
is
is produced when calcium oxide
Deoxygenation of water is caused by dissolved nitrates in 9 Which substance
C desulfurisation?
water. used in flue gas
B Carbon dioxide
A Calcium sulfite
D Deoxygenation of water is caused by dissolved D Water
C Sulfur dioxide
phosphates in wate.
dioxide in a catalytic
What happens to nitrogen
Which of the following statements about air is true? 10
3 Converter?
A Clean air consists of 0.9% water vapour. monoxide to form nitrogen.
A Itis oxidised by carbon
B Clean air has a higher density than carbon dioxide. by methane to
form nitrogen.
B It is oxidised
and compounds.
C Clean air is a mixture of elements by carbon monoxide
to form nitrogen.
C It is reduced
and oxygen in air can be separated by simple form nitrogen.
D Nitrogen D It is reduced by methane to
converter?
distillation. not in a catalytic
Which reaction does
occur

fertiliser? 11
4 Which substance is not a A 2CO(g)+O,(g) +2C0(g)
BAmmonium sulfate
A Ammonium nitrate
D Sodium nitrate B 2NO(g) + 2CO(g)- >2C0.(g) +N.(g)
C Sodium sulfate N,(g)+4CO,(g)
be sold as C 2NO(g)+4CO(g)-
mixtures c a n n o t
5 Which of the following D CaO(s) + SO,(g) CaSO,()
NPK fertiliser?
nitrate Short-answer and Structured Questions
and potassium Section B:
A Sodium phosphate the
chloride steps in
Ammonium sulfate and potassium
1 (a) State and briefly describe four important
of the domestic water supply. [4
B phosphate
Potassium sulfate and
ammonium
purification
in the
chloride and potassium
phosphate
How would you obtain a sample of pure water
D Ammonium
(b)
is matched school laboratory? [1]
air pollutants
6 Which of the following and
environment?

its effect o n
health
2 (a) What is meant by
correctly with [P]
Effect (i) nitrogenous fertilisers;
Air pollutant Causes climate change
(i1) NPK fertilisers? []
Carbon monoxide
Causes global warming the plant nutrient, nitrogen,
wants to inctease
(b) A farmer
B Particulates in blood use fertiliser containing
in his farmland. Should he
haemoglobin
Reacts with
C Nitrogen oxides or ammonium
sultate
Harms aquatic life ammonium nitrate (NH,NO;)
D Sulfur dioxide ((NH),SO4)? 14]
State problem that is caused by the discharge of
(c) one

fertilisers into rivers and lakes. B]

Chemistry of the Environment

279
 Chapter 15

Let's Review
/
thousand o
millions of
emission
Choose from the list of oxides to Carbon
dioxide
answer the questions
below. An oxide may be used tonnes per year
once, more than once or
not at all.
carbon dioxide 20
carbon monoxide magnesium oxide
nitrogen oxides silicon(V) oxide sulfur dioxide
10
(a) Which oxide
i) is removed from the Year
atmosphere by 1930 1990
photosynthesis; [1 1860
Figure 15.12
(i) is released to the
atmosphere by respiration; I
(ii) is insoluble in water, acids and
bases; [11 of the Earths atmosphere/c
(iv) is a greenhouse gas? [1] Average temperature

(b) Which oxides cause acid rain? [2]

(c) Describe how carbon monoxide is 15.4
formed. [2]
4 (a) Complete the table. [6] 15.0

Pollutant Source Harmful effect 14.6

Decay of plant and Year
1930 1990
animal matter 1860
Figure 15.13
Oxides of nitrogen
Photochemical smog

(i) The increase in global temperatures from 1860

Sulfur dioxide Car combustion to 1990 is due to the increase in carbon dioxide
engines emission. Based on figures 15.12 and 15.13, explain
how this conclusion can be made. [2
Can lead to breathing
difficulties and death (i) State how the conclusion in (c)(i) may be
challenged (2]
(b) Describe two chemical tests for water. I4 (i) State another factor that must be kept constant
5 (a) What are the gases present in the exhaust fumes of a car if in order to show convincingly the effect of carbon
dioxide on the increase in global temperature. (2
(i) it is not fitted with a catalytic converter: 2
(ii) it is fitted with a catalytic converter? [2) 8 Figure 15.14 represents a section ofa catalytic converter
(b) Explain how the combustion of fossil fuels can lead to
acid rain. [3]
6 (a) What is meant by flue gas desulfurisation? [
(b) (i) Name the product(s) formed when calcium oxide is
used for flue gas desulfurisation. [] Figure 15.14
(i) Write the word equation for the reaction. 12]
(a) i) Name substance X. [1]
7 9(a) Describe how oxides of nitrogen are formed in car
i) What is the purpose of placing Xn the
engines. 3]
catalytic converter? [1]
9 (6) () Write symbol equations to show how these oxides
(6) Y contains a mixture of gases. Name three
are removed in catalytic converters. 2] gases
present in Y, which are
(ii) Explain the reactions in terms of oxidation and
() afected by X; 83)
reduction. [
i) not affected by X. B]
( ) Figures 15.12 and 15.13 show how the concentration of
(c) Z contains another mixture of
carbon dioxide varies with the average global temperature
three gases present in Z
gases. Name
over a period of 130 years which are produced
by chemical reactions as Ypasses through tE
catalytic converter. [3]

280 Chemistry of the Environment