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SO2, or sulphur dioxide, is a poisonous gas with an odour of burned matches. It is created by copper extraction and the combustion of sulphur-bearing fossil fuels and is released naturally by volcanic activity. The odour of sulphur dioxide is the same as that of nitric acid.
Sulphur dioxide is a precursor of sulfuric acid since it is turned to sulphur trioxide and subsequently to oleum, which is then converted to sulfuric acid. Sulphur dioxide is created when sulphur reacts with oxygen. The contact process turns sulphur dioxide into sulfuric acid and uses the latter for research and science. Every year, several billion kilograms of sulphur dioxide are manufactured for this purpose. However, when handled inappropriately, sulphur dioxide can be exposed to the atmosphere, affecting living organisms.
Sulphur dioxide effects
The ideal amount of sulphur dioxide exposure per year is in the range of 0.2 ppm (parts per million). In recent years, sulphur dioxide effects have increased, indicating increased exposure.
Moreover, these effects have also been noticed in some sites like Hawaii’s Volcano National Park. The abundance of sulphate particles can create haze, cause irritation to the eyes, and reduce visibility. In addition, it can affect not only humans but also flora and fauna. Animals and plants in the regions where sulphur dioxide is abundant would develop poor health, and they could eventually die due to the problems in their cardiovascular systems.
Since monuments and memorial buildings cannot withstand the acidity of acid rains, they will start to erode. Over time, we would be at the risk of losing the cultural heritage these monuments hold as their naturality would be ruined.
Sulphur dioxide environmental effects
Since the effects of sulphur dioxide on the environment have increased over time, environmentalists worry more about reviving the past ecosystem. Increasing industries and factories cause the higher release of sulphur dioxide; the chances of bringing up the normal and ideal environment for living organisms seem to decrease.
Sulphur dioxide not only attacks the ecosystem directly but also forms several compounds of sulphur, gets mixed with the sources like water, and then affects the whole environment. It is emitted due to the refining and filtering processes in the industries. It further reacts with the gases like oxygen and nitrogen to form other compounds of sulphur. When sulphur dioxide reacts with oxygen, sulphuric acid is formed, the topmost contributor of acid rain. When acid rain occurs, the stability in the ecosystem is damaged; hence, it would affect every organism on the planet, either directly or indirectly. The aquatic organisms will be affected first by such acid rains. A visible example of this case would be the depletion of coral reefs in the ocean. The changes in the pH of the seawater may lead to the mass extinction of aquatic species.
The impact of acid rains continues with the plants, contributing to deforestation. The plants would require ideal acidity in the soil to thrive. Since acid rain changes it, they will no longer live and eventually die as they cannot participate in photosynthesis. Hence, the herbivores would be pushed to the edge of extinction if this condition is severe.
Sulphur dioxide effects on humans
Sulphur dioxide’s effects on humans is a serious topic to be considered at the earliest as it poses a devastating threat to humanity. When inhaled, sulphur dioxide can cause severe irritations, affect the respiratory system of humans, and cause severe lung damage. It also increases the chances of infections in the respiratory tracts. Initially, a person who has inhaled sulphur dioxide would cough, secrete mucus, aggravate severe conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Since children’s lungs are still developing, exposure to sulphur dioxide would pose high threats to their well-being as they are more likely to develop asthmatic at a very young age.
As we inhale sulphur dioxide from the air around us, many are at the risk of developing new allergies that are mostly oriented with lung and cardiac diseases. It is impossible to purify the whole atmosphere; hence, those allergic to these emissions need to find a better place for survival.
Furthermore, when acid rain occurs, sulphuric acid mixes in the drinking water and changes the ideal pH of water. When consumed, this could bring corrosion of tissues along the food pipe and form kidney stones.
Conclusion
The amount of sulphur dioxide emitted into the atmosphere can be understood only when one studies the concentration of raw materials that are used in any process that emits SO2. Thus, the factories should consider the ideal amount of sulphur dioxide emission into the atmosphere even before starting the processes.
The presence of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere results in the worst-case termed as ‘acid rain,’ and it worsens the situations both on the ecosystem and the humans. The occurrence of acid rain would change the ideal pH of the universal solvent, and it would adversely affect the flora and fauna.
