HSC 2012 - Question 33 | (6 marks)
"Chemists can assist in reversing or minimising the environmental problems caused by technology and the human demand for products and services"
With reference to this statement, assess the need for chemists to collaborate when monitoring the environmental impact of a named electrochemical cell.
Very ugly question.
Through collaboration, chemists can assist in reversing or minimising environmental problems caused by technology and the human demand for products and services. Collaboration in general, provides the expertise of different branches of Chemistry and results in either better products, or an increase in the safety of humans and the environment while using the particular product. The growth of the car industry has prompted efficient and cheaper batteries to be used that last a long time and an example of an electrochemical cell (battery) which is used is the lead-acid cell battery.
Anode - Pb ions + sulfate ions ----> lead sulfate and 2 electrons
Cathode - Lead oxide + 4 hydrogen ions + sulfate ion + 2 electrons ----> lead sulfate + 2 water.
Electrolyte - sulfuric acid.
The lead acid cell is widely used worldwide as car batteries and there is a need for chemists to collaborate when monitoring the “dumping” of these batteries due to the contents inside that can pose a threat to not only the environment but also humans. The collaboration between an environmental chemist and an analytical chemist can assist in minimising the environmental problems caused by this electrochemical cell. An environmental chemist can monitor the levels of sulfuric acid in the soil levels of particular dumping sites and judge whether the levels are too high and if action must be taken. If sulfuric acid enters waterways through runoffs, an environmental chemist can identify that this has occurred through the decrease in pH of water, through the death of fish who are unable to live in acidic environments. An analytical chemist, monitors the pollution of lead in the environment through a meticulous machine known as atomic absorption spectroscopy which measures the concentration of metal ions up to parts per billion in water, soil or air samples. Lead is a toxic heavy metal which bioaccumulates in organsims and in the human body, causing significant brain damage, and in young children mental retardation. Thus the collaboration between an environmental chemist and an analytical chemist can result in new plans and methods of disposing these electrochemical cells which are less harmful to the environment and can still be used by individuals without being removed. Collaboration allows for quicker and stronger forms of safety precautions
I gave up at the end, i don't like this question hahahaha
