Effects on materials - air pollutants, Biology

Assignment Help:

Effects on Materials - Air pollutants

Most air pollutants are reactive chemicals, so they react with most of the substances around. You may recall from your chemistry lessons in school that SO2 oxidises to form SO3 and when dissolved in water it forms sulphuric acid which is highly caustic. Sulphuric acid reacts with metals and their weak salts and forms corresponding sulphate. In this way, in air polluted with SO2, aluminium metal can form aluminium sulphate and lime stone and marble can form calcium sulphate called gypsum. Such reactions have caused damage to buildings, sculptures and other historical monuments made up of stone, plaster, marble or metal painted glass works. Some of them are from middle ages or even older. The stone in the Parthenon in Athens, has deteriorated more in the past 50 years from air pollution than it had in the previous 2000 years. Similarly, the statue of liberty is corroded from SO2 and NO2 and TajMahal from SO2 emitted by Mathura refineries. The sand stone statues get covered with black coating that contains large amounts of gypsum. When gypsum is formed in cracks, the expansion of its crystals causes the limestone to crumble away. Such damages are indeed costly as well as a great loss to society because many of them are irreplaceable works of art.

Since SO2, NO2 and O3 are strong oxidants; they soil, fade and deteriorate fabrics. Sulphur dioxide affects leather and plastic also. Ozone cracks wind shield wipers, tyres and other rubber products. Hydrogen sulphide reacts with metallic paints and tarnishes them by forming metallic sulphides. It tarnishes silverware and jewellery also. Particulate matter sullies and erodes the buildings. Soot and tar sticks to the building stones, painted surface and is difficult to remove. Such damages require a large sum of money for repair and maintenance.


Related Discussions:- Effects on materials - air pollutants

Respiration would cease even oxygen and food were supplied, If a tissue was...

If a tissue was heated to 65ºC for 10 minutes, respiration would cease even if oxygen and food were supplied. Why is this? A temperature of 65°C for 10 minutes would denature

Excretion, what are the excretory organs of birds

what are the excretory organs of birds

Spoilage of butter, Q. Spoilage of butter? Butter, which has a high con...

Q. Spoilage of butter? Butter, which has a high content of fat, is subject to rancidity and microbial spoilage due to contaminated cream from which it has been prepared

Determine the significance of mesoglea, Determine the significance of Mesog...

Determine the significance of Mesoglea. The jellylike layer found between endodermal and ectodermal cell layers of diploblastic organisms. It acts as a type of cement holding t

Waste Water, Why is there a concern on waste water?

Why is there a concern on waste water?

Psychosocial therapy, PSYCHOSOCIAL THERAPY: Psychosocial therapy is on...

PSYCHOSOCIAL THERAPY: Psychosocial therapy is one of  the important treatment modaIities used for the patients with mental disorders. It is given along with other therapies or

Which cells produced in first stage of embryonic development, Q. What are t...

Q. What are the cells produced in the first stage of the embryonic development called? The cells that result from the cleavage (the first stage of the embryonic development) ar

Show the principles of prevention of diabetes mellitus, Q. Show the Princip...

Q. Show the Principles of Prevention of diabetes mellitus? Principles of primary prevention of diabetes are:     Creating awareness of diabetes mellitus   Identifying Pre-D

Echinococcosis (hydatidosis), Echinococcosis (hydatidosis) Echinococco...

Echinococcosis (hydatidosis) Echinococcosis, also called hydatidosis, is a global problem particularly in countries where sheep and cattle raising forms the major animal husba

Respiration, different types of animals and their respiratory organ

different types of animals and their respiratory organ

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd