Visit Germany's Black Forest to study the effects of industrial emissions, urban smog, and acid rain
Testing rainwater and air for acidity at a research station in the Black Forest, Germany.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: This research station, located on a mountain peak in Germany's Black Forest, monitors weather and air quality. Industrial emissions, urban smog, and acid rain are of particular interest at this site. The rainwater collected in this sampling container will be analyzed for acidity and other contaminants.
Sulfur dioxide, from power plants and smelters, and nitrogen oxides, in automobile exhaust, combine with water vapor in the atmosphere to form various acids that mix with the clouds. The precipitation from these clouds is highly acidic. Researchers at this station have found that when the wind blows from industrial and urban centers in northern Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, the rain, snow, fog, and even the dust are heavily laced with corrosive acids.
A pH reading below 7 indicates that the rainwater is acidic. This sample is significantly acidic, about as acidic as an orange.
The air itself is also sampled. Air is drawn into the laboratory through this pipe for chemical analysis. Again, the levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are of concern and are closely monitored along with other gases and particles suspended in the air.
Sulfur dioxide, from power plants and smelters, and nitrogen oxides, in automobile exhaust, combine with water vapor in the atmosphere to form various acids that mix with the clouds. The precipitation from these clouds is highly acidic. Researchers at this station have found that when the wind blows from industrial and urban centers in northern Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, the rain, snow, fog, and even the dust are heavily laced with corrosive acids.
A pH reading below 7 indicates that the rainwater is acidic. This sample is significantly acidic, about as acidic as an orange.
The air itself is also sampled. Air is drawn into the laboratory through this pipe for chemical analysis. Again, the levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are of concern and are closely monitored along with other gases and particles suspended in the air.
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