Sulphur dioxide
- It is a toxic gas, bad-smelling and colourless.
- It is a part of a large group of chemicals referred to as sulfur oxides (Sox).
- It is emitted by the burning of fossil fuels oil, coal, diesel or other materials that contain sulphur.
- It is also produced naturally as a byproduct of volcanic activity.
- Example- Vehicles, smelting and metals processing facilities and, power plants.
- It can create secondary pollutants when released in the air.
- The secondary pollutant that is released due to sulphur ARE sulfate aerosols, particulate matter and acid rain.
- The major secondary pollutant formed due to sulphur dioxide is acid rain.
- The acid rain causes direct harm to tress and plants by damaging exposed tissues and subsequently decreasing plant growth.
India's contribution to sulphur pollution
- India is the leading producer of sulphur dioxide all over the world.
- India is the leading producer for the fifth consecutive year.
- India is followed by Russia and China.
- According to green peace, India contributes 15 per cent of global anthropogenic emissions and is the largest emitter of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in the world.
- The top five of the top 10 SO2 emission hotspots from coal/power generation industry across the world are in India.
- The green peace study found that major hotspots in India are at Singrauli, Neyveli, Talcher, Jharsuguda, Korba, Kutch, Chennai, Ramagundam, Chandrapur, and Koradi.
- Norilsk, a smelter site in Russia is the largest anthropogenic sulphur dioxide emission hotspot in the world. It is followed by Kriel area in South Africa. Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh is at fifth place.
- India’s sulphur dioxide emission mostly comes from coal-fired power plants.
- The vast majority of plants in India lack flue-gas desulphurisation (FGD) technology to reduce air pollution.
Steps taken to control pollution
- Expansion of renewable energy capacity and reduction on dependency on coal.
- Government has also decided to shut down non-compliant thermal power plants stations.
- Government has also allocated 4,400 crore to tackle air pollution crises.
- Ministry of environment, forest and climate change introduced sulphur dioxide emission limits for coal power plants.
- The most efficient way of reducing sulphur dioxide pollution is to install flue-gas desulfurization units.
We hope you all understood the Sulphur Dioxide Emission for Paper-1.
Thank you,
Team BYJU'S Exam Prep.
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