with other gases lead to smog formation, e.g., London smog.

This is known as reducing smog in contrast with

photochemical smog which is known as oxidising smog
(consisting of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and ozone).
London smog (1952) is well-known for its disastrous effect.
Heavy smog (SO2) conditions prevailed in London for five
days which killed about 4,000 people. The causes of death
were bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory troubles
particularly among aged people.
98 Environment and Ecology
3.6.8 Control of SOX Pollution
SOx (sulphur oxides) from flue gases of industrial plants
can be removed by means of chemical scrubbers. The flue
stack gases are led through a bed of (slurry) limestone, CaCO3
(calcium carbonate) which absorbs sulphur dioxide quite
efficiently.
2CaCO3 + 2SO2 + O2 2Ca SO4 + CO2
(calcium (sulphur (oxygen) (calcium (carbon
carbonate) dioxide) sulphate) dioxide) dioxide)
The method is economical but the disposal of solid waste,
calcium sulphate is a problem.
Alternatively, sulphur oxide in aqueous solution is treated
with citric acid salt and the resulting solution is exposed to a
stream of hydrogen sulphide gas whereby sulphur
is deposited. This sulphur can then be recovered and utilised.
Thermal power plants, major sources of man-made SOX
pollution, are normally constructed with tall chimneys to
disperse the emissions over a wide area. This reduces the
local problem but creates problems for far away areas through
acid rains (see Fig. 3.5).
3.6.9 Acid Rain
It has been described above that much of nitrogen oxides
(NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx) entering the atmosphere are
transformed into nitric acid (HNO3) and sulphuric acid
(H2SO4), respectively. These combine with hydrogen
chloride (HCl) from HCl emissions (both by man-made and
natural sources) and generate acidic precipitation, known as
acid rain.
Acid rain is a major environmental issue as it badly
damages the environment. It damages buildings and
structural materials of marble, limestones, slate and mortar.
These materials become structurally weak as calcium
carbonate reacts with sulphuric acid to form soluble sulphate,
which is leached out by rain water:
Environmental Pollution 99
CaCO3 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + CO2 + H2O
(limestone) (sulphuric acid) (calcium sulphate)
Fig. 3.5: Acid rain in Greece and Italy
In Greece and Italy, invaluable stones and statues have
been partly dissolved by acid rain. Besides these, acid rain
damaged forests in Germany and lakes in Sweden and Canada.
Acid rain originated from U.K., but far away in Sweden it
damaged some 8,000 lakes of which 4,000 are dead. Similarly,
acid rain from USA damaged lakes and forests in Canada. In
India, the Taj Mahal is threatened by acid rain from Mathura
Refinery and other industries.
3.6.10 Control of Acid Rain