Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxins.
A Desert Research Institute (DRI) study reports that North American and European coal burning has contaminated the Arctic.
Coal is mainly elemental carbon with small amounts of hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen. On complete combustion of coal, carbon dioxide is the main product formed. This is non-toxic, but contributes to the green house effect if produced in excess.
Small amounts of oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur formed are responsible for acid rain.
On incomplete combustion of coal, carbon monoxide and unburnt carbon particles are also formed. This causes carbon monoxide poisoning, the formation of smog, and the blackening of buildings.
A Greenland ice core was analyzed by DRI for pollution levels from coal burning. The study of the Greenland ice core produced a record of continuously averaged monthly and annual averaged pollution levels dating from 1772-2003.
The research reported high levels of cadmium, thallium and lead. These metals are all toxic heavy metals. Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxics.
A Desert Research Institute (DRI) study reports that North American and European coal burning has contaminated the Arctic.
Coal is mainly elemental carbon with small amounts of hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen. On complete combustion of coal, carbon dioxide is the main product formed. This is non-toxic, but contributes to the green house effect if produced in excess.
Small amounts of oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur formed are responsible for acid rain.
On incomplete combustion of coal, carbon monoxide and unburnt carbon particles are also formed. This causes carbon monoxide poisoning, the formation of smog, and the blackening of buildings.
A Greenland ice core was analyzed by DRI for pollution levels from coal burning. The study of the Greenland ice core produced a record of continuously averaged monthly and annual averaged pollution levels dating from 1772-2003. The research reported high levels of cadmium, thallium and lead detected in the ice core. All toxic heavy metals.
Recently our USD lab class tested sediment samples for metal ion levels. We used atomic absorption spectrometry to detect lead levels. I would like to analyze a liquid sample of this ice core in our labs and report which heavy metals are detected. I would also like to use a GC-MS to detect organic material concentrations then compare all of my data to DRI's observations.
DRI reports a 10 fold pollution level increase observed between the 1700's and 1900's. A 2 to 5 % pollution level decrease has been reported in arctic pollution levels since last century.
It is worth mentioning that many comments argue against this study. Opponents argue that environmental lobbyists are interested in political power and not lowering pollution levels. Those who oppose the study deem the report "alarmist research" and argue that it is pointless because no one will listen. One opponent claims that global warming prevention advertisements portray industrial pollution that is truly just non toxic water vapor.
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2008/08/25/greenland-ice-core-reveals-history-of-pollution-in-the-arctic-but-theres-a-twist-it-was-worse-100-years-ago/
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