EXPLORATION 1D.
WORKING WITH INFORMATION:
REPORTS AND DATA TREATMENT (60 min)
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Working with WEB sites related to acid rain identify the sites
reporting the emission data published by EPA. |
LOOKING FOR TRENDS 1: SO2 EMISSION IN THE UNITED STATES
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From Table A2
(found on the sites reporting the emission data
(1980-1999) published by EPA) choose the emission of SO2 and heat
input in 1999 reported for New York, Ohio, California, Wyoming and Washington. |
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Collect your data on the spreadsheet. |
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State |
heat input |
SO2 [tons] |
order of predicted acidity of waters |
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New York |
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Ohio |
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California |
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Wyoming |
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Washington |
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Can you find a correlation? Plot the results of your data analysis.
Please explain what are the reasons for correlation/lack of correlation? |
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Taking into account the formation of acid rain, where would you
expect the lowest pH of water (the most acidic)? and the highest
concentration of sulfate ions (mg/L)? Give your ranking for five chosen
states |
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Analyzing Table A2 found on the EPA WEB site, can you tell something about the strictness of environmental policy in the chosen states? |
LOOKING FOR TRENDS 2: ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF SO2 EMISSION
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Go to the WEB sites related to acid rain ("emission data") and find the most current Isopleth maps reporting the pH, and SO4-2 concentration in rainfall? Calculate the mean value for each category. Introduce the data into your worksheet. Prepare the plot of SO2 emission vs pH and sulfate concentration. Can you see good correlation? |
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State |
SO2 emission [tons] |
average pH |
average [SO4-2] [mg/l] |
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New York |
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Ohio |
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California |
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Wyoming |
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Washington |
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Is it in agreement with
your prediction? If not what may be the reason? |
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Look at the Isopleth maps (Found on EPA emission sites reporting pH, sulfate ion concentrations, etc.) for the period 1994-1999. Can you observe any trend in the acidity of rain? Can you give any reason for the observed trend? |
LOOKING FOR TREND 3: ARE WE MAKING ANY PROGRESS IN THE REDUCTION OF SO2 EMISSION?
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Look at emission data
reported for New York Sate and California for 1980, 1985, 1997 and 1999 |
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Do you observe any trend
in the emissions and concentration of SO2 over last few years ? |
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What is the reason for this trend? Can you tell something about the strictness of environmental policies in NY and CA? |
New York
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year |
SO2 [tons] |
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1980 |
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1985 |
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1990 |
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1997 |
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1999 |
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California
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year |
SO2 [tons] |
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1980 |
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1985 |
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1990 |
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1997 |
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1999 |
