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Ap Ef M SO Eq)

Acidification is caused by the release of protons in ecosystems from substances like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and nitric acid. These compounds are oxidized and transformed into acids that can be washed into watercourses in acid rain. This acidification leads to increased mobility of heavy metals and aluminum in certain areas and significant impacts on flora and fauna. The acidification potential of different substances is calculated in sulfur dioxide equivalents based on their stoichiometric acidifying ability and global data is used to normalize local acidification potential values to compare impacts on a per capita basis. The acidification potential from nitric acid used in acidifying milk was calculated as 6.48 kg SO2-eq per year, which is 11.98

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50 views

Ap Ef M SO Eq)

Acidification is caused by the release of protons in ecosystems from substances like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and nitric acid. These compounds are oxidized and transformed into acids that can be washed into watercourses in acid rain. This acidification leads to increased mobility of heavy metals and aluminum in certain areas and significant impacts on flora and fauna. The acidification potential of different substances is calculated in sulfur dioxide equivalents based on their stoichiometric acidifying ability and global data is used to normalize local acidification potential values to compare impacts on a per capita basis. The acidification potential from nitric acid used in acidifying milk was calculated as 6.48 kg SO2-eq per year, which is 11.98

Uploaded by

JohnPaulo Tumala
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Acidification is regarded as a regional effect.

Acidification is caused by
releases of protons in the terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems. The acidifying
substances are only contributing to acidification if the anion is leached out from the
system. In certain areas, acidification leads to increased mobility of heavy metals
and aluminum. The substances normally considered as contributors to acidification
are sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur trioxide (SO3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrogen
chloride (HCl), nitric acid (HNO 3), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
hydrogen
fluoride
(HF),
hydrogen
sulfide
(H 2S),
ammonia
(NH3)
(http://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2005/87-7614-574-3/pdf/87-7614-5751.pdf). These compounds released in the air may be oxidized and transformed in
acids (sulfuric acids, nitric acid). Rainfalls may wash these acids and cause acid
rains. Then, the acid compounds are present in streaming waters and in
watercourses. That acidification leads to significant impacts on flora and fauna
(https://www.agroparistech.fr/IMG/pdf/loiseau_en_sr.pdf).

SO2 is used as a basis for determination of the acidification potential or the


equivalence factor. The method of establishing effect factors for acidifying
substances is based on stoichiometric considerations and it is internationally
accepted (http://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2005/87-7614-574-3/pdf/87-7614575-1.pdf).
The acidification potential (AP) can be estimated as SO2-equivalents:

AP=EF i mi [SO 2 eq]


where EFi is the equivalence factor for the substance i and m i is the emission of the
substance i.
The equivalency factor of nitric acid is determined as 0.51 (Hauschild &
Wenzel, 1998 Environmental Assessment of Products: Volume 2: Scientific
Background). A 0.25M nitric acid was used for acidification of milk. Approximately
555L of nitric acid that has a density of 1.02kg/L is used per batch and 5% of nitric
acid remains in the casein curds and washed of by water. It is assumed to be that
99% of nitric acid is neutralized.

AP=0.51 0.25

mol
kg
( 555 L ) 0.063
( 0.05 ) ( 0.01 )=2.22 x 103 kg [ SO 2 eq ] per batch
L
mol

AP=2.22 x 103 kg [ SO 2eq ] per batch 8

batches
days
365
=6.48 kg [ SO 2eq ] per year
day
year

)(

For acidification as a regional effect, the global normalization reference is


used if the locality is outside Europe or unknown. Global normalization value of
acidification
potential
is
59
kg
SO2
-eq./capita/year
in
(http://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2005/87-7614-574-3/pdf/87-7614-575-

1.pdf). Comparing the obtained acidification potential, it is 11.98% of kg SO 2 eq


emission of a single person in a global scale.

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