wAbstract
@This paper examines the historical change in the pH of natural
rainwater due to increased atmospheric CO2
from 1800 until 2007, giving predicted change in 2100. During
1800-2007, the rainwater pH at 25 and 1 atm is calculated to
decrease by 0.06 units, from 5.68 to 5.62. In 2100, the predicted
rainwater pH is calculated at 5.49 using the projected pCO2 (700 ppmv; IS92a) at 25 and 1 atm. Equilibrium
calculations were made in an attempt to elucidate the calcium
carbonate (calcite) dissolution by rainwater. From 1800 to 2007,
the dissolution of calcite with pCO2 of those
time at 25 and 1 atm increase the dissolved calcium concentration
from 466 to 516Κmol kg-1. This value is calculated
to reach 633 Κmol kg-1 in the year 2100. Rainwater
is found to become more acidic with decreasing temperature. In
the year 2007 (pCO2 = 384 ppmv), a total
difference of 0.08 units in rainwater pH is calculated between
areas at 0 and 30. The equilibrium pH with respect to calcite
was found to increase with decreasing temperature. At lower temperatures,
rainwater pH is found to decrease, whilst CaCO3
dissolution increases. Limestone landmarks and buildings might
be affected through the dissolution of calcium carbonate by rainwater
acidification. The effects of rainwater acidification on overall
chemical weathering may result in influences on agriculture, forestry,
landslides and flooding.
Keywords: Acid rain; pH; Limestone; Carbon dioxide; Carbonate
dissolutionx
1. Introduction
2. Methods
@2.1. Atmospheric CO2 data after the
19th century
@2.2. Calculation of equilibrium pH in the CO2-CaCO3-H2O system
3. Results and discussion
@3.1. Historical rainwater pH
@3.2. The change of rainwater pH with temperature
@3.3. Historical change in calcite dissolution
4. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References