Question 84
You have learnt that acid rain causes rivers and soils to become too acidic. Imagine that you are a farmer. You channel some water from a nearby river towards your crops (Figure 8.25). Most of your crops need a pH of 6 to 7 to grow well, but acid rain has made the water too acidic. You want to reduce the effect of acid rain by adding a substance, such as a carbonate, to the water. However, too much carbonate could be just as damaging as the acid rain.
Work in groups to design a system that effectively reduces the effect of acid rain in a river. Consider the following questions when coming up with your design.
- How can you determine the acidity of the water in the river?
- The acidity of the water can change from time to time. How can you monitor this?
- What substance will you add to reduce the acidity of the water?
- How much of the substance will you add? How do you know?
- What other materials will you need?
- Are there any hazards you must consider?
- How can your design be applied on a large scale? Describe or make a drawing.
Share your design with another group. Suggest improvements to your design based on their feedback.
Work in groups to design a system that effectively reduces the effect of acid rain in a river. Consider the following questions when coming up with your design.
- How can you determine the acidity of the water in the river?
- The acidity of the water can change from time to time. How can you monitor this?
- What substance will you add to reduce the acidity of the water?
- How much of the substance will you add? How do you know?
- What other materials will you need?
- Are there any hazards you must consider?
- How can your design be applied on a large scale? Describe or make a drawing.
Share your design with another group. Suggest improvements to your design based on their feedback.
