Project:
"Environmental Monitoring of the Acid Rains in Eurasia"
Anton Sotirov - Bulgaria
Shortly: Students from different schools from Asia and Europe involved in this project will collect rain or snow samples in clean dishes. They will measure the acidity of the solution through using of digital instrument or litmus test paper.
Aim of the project: to investigate the pollution of the air in our towns for these greenhouse gases, which cause acid rains.
Activities:
Step 1: Just put the electrode of the instrument into the rain water and read the result on the display.
OR
Put the litmus test paper into the water for a couple of seconds.
Step2: Compare the color of the litmus test paper with the standard colors of the acidity.
Step 3: Write the results by this way:
Date: 01 November 2009
Hour: 16,05
Place: town of Kyustendil, Bulgaria
Precipitation: rain/snow (or heavy rain/heavy snow)
Acidity pH=4,5 (or 5,0 or 6,5, etc.)
/if you have possibility, you can measure the temperature of the air, temperature of the water (the melted snow), or any other parameters as dissolved sulfur, conductivity, and etc./
Step 4: Send the results to this e-mail:
Step 5: Bulgarian school will prepare internet site, where we will publish the data
Place: town………………….
Step 6: All together will make decisions and conclusions about the pollution of the air in our towns with the greenhouse gases SO and SO2 and NO and NO2. The results will be presented on scientific conference next year and if possible we will participate in environmental competitions.
Usually the rain water is naturally acid, because of the dissolved gases, for example CO2. Acidity of clean rain and snow is between 5,5 and 7,5. The acid rains usually have acidity pH=3-5 (between 3 and 5). When pH is over 8,0 it is alkaline and also is a result of pollution of the air.
Result of the project: The students are directly involved in the problems of the global warming, greenhouse gases and acid rains.
