- The combustion of fuels creates sulfur dioxide. This is because fuels contain impurities such as sulfur. When this is burned at high temperature, the sulfur reacts with oxygen in the air to create sulfur dioxide.
- Sulfur dioxide dissolves in clouds to form sulfuric acid (acid rain).
Consequences of acid rain:
- Acid rain leaches minerals and nutrients out of the soil, causing the death of plants and trees.
- Damages waxy cuticle, reducing plants' ability to absorb mineral ions for growth.
- Acidifies rivers and lakes, causing the death of aquatic animals.
- Corrodes limestone and marble buildings. (acid can react with calcium carbonate/limestone)
Carbon Monoxide:
- Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels produces carbon monoxide.
Why?
From these equations, we can see that methane (CH4) reacts with oxygen during combustion. There are two types of combustion: incomplete combustion and complete combustion. While complete combustion only creates carbon dioxide and water, incomplete creates carbon monoxide, water, and carbon dioxide.
Consequences of Carbon Monoxide:
- Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, thereby restricting the amount of oxygen that can be carried around the body.
- This can cause fatigue due to poor oxygen transport.
- It can also cause emphysema due to insufficient oxygen in aerobic respiration.
- If pregnant, carbon monoxide causes insufficient oxygen for respiration, which reduces the growth of the fetus.
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