Scientists are testing the effect of different scrubber technologies on the removal of pollutants from coal power plants. The scrubbers use a slurry of limestone and water. Which of the following best describes the impact of modifying the slurry by increasing the amount of limestone? The amount of sulfur dioxide released will decrease. A The amount of ground-level ozone released will decrease. B The amount of water released will increase. C The amount of carbon monoxide released will increase.

When a water and limestone slurry is used as a scrubber, the impact of modifying the slurry by increasing the amount of limestone has as a consequence that the amount of sulfur dioxide released will decrease.

Explanation:

One of the consequences of the use of coal as fuel is the emission of toxic gases, one of which is sulfur dioxide (SO₂), a colorless and toxic gas that can affect the health of humans and animals. That is why SO₂ scrubbers are necessary for the removal of this gas.

One of the most commonly used SO₂ scrubbers is the suspension of water and limestone, since the calcium (Ca) contained in the limestone reacts with the SO₂ to form calcium sulfide (CaS), which precipitates as a solid, decreasing the emission of SO₂ to the environment.

It is for this reason that, by increasing the amount of limestone in the scrubber slurry, more SO₂ will react, and the amount released from this gas will decrease.

Learn more:

Consequence of excessive sulfur dioxide in the air link