Acids in the Air

In the combustion of any fossil fuel, whether coal, combustible shale, or oil, the released gases always contain sulphur and nitrogen oxides. Some years ago, for example, thermal electric power stations in the United States belched out 18.6 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide.

Rainwater, which forms in the process of condensation of water vapours in the atmosphere, is neutral. Absorbing carbon dioxide which is always present in the air., it becomes slightly acidic. With the absorption of sulphur and nitrogen oxides, rain becomes noticeably acid. To date, the world record in acid is held by the Scottish town of Ditlochry, where on April 10, 1974 a rain fell whose acid content was comparable only to vinegar.

The harm traceable to acid rain is not confined to waterways. It extends to soils and vegetation as well. In Sweden in the past 10 years these rains were responsible for a steady annual drop in forest productivity of about one per cent. In soil a higher acid content leaches away nutrients and kills useful microorganisms.

Ex.2 Read and define the meaning of the following words:

planet n, rational a, decade n, cascade n, territory n, compensate v, geothermal a.

Ex.3 Read and remember the following words and word-combinations:

acquire – досягати, набувати

scope – сфера, охоплення

divert – відводити, відхиляти

arid – сухий, посушливий

drilling – буріння

livestock breeding – племінне тваринництво

Ex.4 Translate the following word-combinations;

1. large, total, different, hunting, irrigated land, populated – area

2. large, useable, extensive – reserves

3. river, underground, hot, fresh, ground, geothermical – water

4. water – resourses, use, consumption, supply, shortage, transport,fishery, redistribution

Ex.5 Check your knowledge the following words with the terminological dictionary:

exploitation, irrigation, treatment, reservoir, canal,natural, navigation, reserve, depletion, fishery, consume, moisture, recreation.

Ex.6 Read the text and make up the plan to this text: