The adsorption mechanisms of hazardous gas molecules such as NH3, H2S and SO2 on sepiolite have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to investigate the adsorption behaviour of sepiolite towards NH3, H2S and SO2. A calculation model for sepiolite containing structural and zeolitic water molecules was constructed in this study. The adsorption sites and molecular configurations of the hazardous gases in the sepiolite channels were studied. The radial distribution function was employed to evaluate the interactions between the gas molecules and sepiolite. The results show that the order of adsorption capacity of sepiolite for the gases is as follows: SO2 > H2S > NH3. These three types of gas molecules absorbed in the channel nanopores of sepiolite exhibit different atomic configurations. The diffusion coefficients of the gas molecules in the channels decreased in the following order: NH3 > H2S > SO2. In addition, the diffusion coefficients were affected significantly by the ratio of the number of gas/water molecules. This study provides new perspectives for understanding the molecular processes responsible for the adsorption properties of sepiolite.

The adsorption of sulphur dioxide (SO2) on two bentonites from Unye, Turkey (Kavaktepe and Yemişlitepe deposits – denoted below as BK and BY) and on forms treated with 1 and 2 M HCl solutions was investigated. The bentonite samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and nitrogen adsorption methods. Adsorption capacities of SO2 were obtained using a standard volumetric apparatus at 293 K and 106 kPa. The SO2 adsorption capacity of the BY-2 (1.263 mmol g–1) sample was much greater than the BK-2 (1.126 mmol g–1) sample. As the concentration of acid increased, the specific surface areas and the uptakes of SO2 gas increased.

Highly accurate IR line lists are ready for 13 CO2 isotopologues and 7 SO2 isotopologues. Ames-296K IR lists carry 0.01 - 0.03 cm−1 accuracy up to 13,000 cm−1 for CO2 and 5500 cm−1 for SO2, and 90–95% intensity agreement for most observable bands. Good for atmospheric modeling on Venus and Exoplanets.

The crustose lichen Lecanora conizaeoides has declined markedly around London with progressively diminishing sulphur dioxide pollution of the air since the 1960s. To identify the immediate causes of its decline, we applied S in the form of bisulphite (0·2 & 2 mM) and sulphate (2 mM), and N as nitrate (2 mM) to relict colonies of the lichen on beech trunks in a plantation in Windsor Forest. Growth of the lichen was monitored by estimating changes in percentage cover. By the end of a 25-month period of two-weekly treatments, all the chemical treatments had resulted in significant decreases in cover of L. conizaeoides compared to distilled water controls, with the 2 mM bisulphite causing the greatest loss. Bark surface pH was also lowered by the chemical treatments, but most by the 2 mM bisulphite applications. Similar results were obtained in two laboratory experiments where the nutrient applications were repeated under a controlled environment and thallus area monitored photographically. No evidence was obtained to support the hypothesis that growth of L. conizaeoides is stimulated by an elevated sulphur supply. We conclude that the disappearance of the lichen is linked to gradual increase in bark pH caused by the combined effects of a marked reduction in SO2 emissions and rising emissions of NH3.

The effect of a copper-smelting plant on populations of Hypogymnia physodes and Tuckermanopsis sepincola was studied in the Middle Urals. A different population response was found between the two lichen species due to different life strategies. The pollution appears to decrease growth and developmental rate of H. physodes (a vegetatively reproducing strongly competitive species), resulting in a shift of population structure towards smaller, esorediate to low sorediate thalli. The background population of the sexually reproducing Tuckermanopsis sepincola consisted mainly of young, small thalli of a low fertility as a result of strong inter-species competition with H. physodes. At the polluted site, the sharp decrease in the abundance of H. physodes led to a shift in structure of the T. sepincola population towards larger and more fertile thalli. It may be concluded that T. sepincola benefits from air pollution by an indirect effect of the removal of a strong competitor, i.e. H. physodes.

Healthy thalli of Parmelia sulcata Taylor were transplanted to 8 localities in the surroundings of a power station (La Robla, León, Spain), the sole pollution source in the region. Changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence were monitored in the transplants 12 months, 18 months and 24 months after transplantation. Statistically significant differences were observed in the ratio of variable to maximal fluorescence, non-photochemical fluorescence quenching and vitality index. The decrease in fluorescence parameters was higher in the localities of Cuadros and Rabanal de Fenar, which are situated a few kilometres away from the power station and in the same direction as the prevailing winds.