uy NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION B.Se(Ed.) THIRD LEVEL (SEMESTER 2) EXAMINATION 2013-2014 AAY330 ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY Thursday 0900-1130 hours 24 April 2014 (2% hours) INSTRUCTIONS 1. This paper contains FOUR (4) questions and comprises FOUR (4) printed pages. 2. Answer ALL FOUR (4) questions, 3. Use of a pocket calculator is allowed,AAY330 Answer ALL questions. All questions carry 25 marks each. 1. (a) Drinking arsenic tainted water will lead to various health issues. (Explain the mechanism of arsenic toxicity, (ii) Explain the working principle of arsenic removal by solar oxidation. (8 marks) (b) How does thermal pollution affect marine life? Explain. (4 marks) (©) Calculate the solubility of dissolved oxygen in ppm at 25 °C, given that air has 21% (v/v) oxygen, Ky = 1.3 x 10 mol L! atm™ and RMM of Op = 32.0. (4 marks) (4) What are endocrine disruptors? What is their impact on human population? (4 marks) (©) A 25-mL sample of river water was titrated with 0.0010 M NaCr:07 and required 8.3 mL to reach the end point. What is the chemical oxygen demand (in ppm) of the sample? (S marks) 2. (a) Calculate the amount of polymeric CHO (RMM = 30.0) that can be oxidised by 1 L of water containing 8.7 ppm dissolved oxygen at 25 °C. Is all polymeric CHO present in the water sample of biological origin? Explain. (7 marks) () Most plants assimilate nitrogen as nitrate ion. However, ammonia is a popular and economical fertilizer. What essential role(s) do bacteria play when ammonia is used as fertilizer? Do you think any problem(s) might occur when using ammonia in water-logged soil lacking oxygen? Explain. (6 marks) (©) (Why is the measurement of pH in natural waters an intensity factor and measurement of alkalinity a capacity factor? (ii) Based on the following information, calculate Phenolphthalein Alkalinity and Total Alkalinity of the natural water sample in ppm of equivalent CaCOs, Given RMM of CaCOs = 100.0 Volume of natural | Volume of 0.01 M pH water sample (mL) _| sulphuric acid (mL) 50.0 2.0 83 ~ 50.0 18.0 45 (12 marks) wd3. @) (o) © AAY330 What are the key components in photochemical smog? What is the impact of photochemical smog on human health? (6 marks) Outline the chemical and physical processes involved in the coagulation step of drinking water treatment. (6 marks) Study the pe-pH diagram for the distribution of nitrogen species in nature at 25 °C: (i) Identify the predominant specie(s) of nitrogen at the following pe values: 11 and -3. (ii) At25°C, the following equilibrium has pe® = 14.15. NOS (aq) + LOH (aq) + 8” = NHy"jaq) + 3H20cy Write the expression for pe. Calculate the equilibrium ratios of concentration of NHs"(aq) to. NO3"aq) at @ pH of 6.0 for aerobic water having a pe = 11; and for anaerobic water having a pe=-3. GivenR=8.314J K' mol! (13 marks)4. (a) (b) © @ AAY330 The solubility of aluminium in natural waters is generally low and the Ksp value for AI(OH)s is 1.0 x 10°, Calculate the solubility of AP” at pH of 4.0 and 6.0, assuming this is controlled by its hydroxide. Comment on the solubility of aluminium in acidified lakes. Given RAM of Al = 27.0 (7 marks) (i) What are the major sources and sinks of hydroxyl radicals in troposphere? Illustrate your answer with relevant equations. (ii) Why are hydroxy! radicals considered as the “natural detergent” of the atmosphere? (8 marks) The nitrogen oxide radicals are responsible for ozone destruction. Write the equations for the chemical steps of ozone destruction. ( marks) What is the pH of water in equilibrium with 0.1 ppm S02 if this is the only source of protons? Given Kay and K a of H2SO3 are 1.7 x 10 and 6.0 x 10°, respectively, and Ky = 1.0 mol L atm”!. (5 marks) END OF PAPER