Kling et al. (Science, 236, 169 (1987) attributed a sudden release of CO2 gas fr

Question

Kling et al. (Science, 236, 169 (1987) attributed a sudden release of CO2 gas from Lake Nyos as the cause for the deaths of at least 1700 people in Cameron, on August 21, 1986. Lake Nyos ahs a depth of 200 m and is situated in the core of an inactive volcano. It is believed that some unknown disturbance caused the previously stratified water to turn over an bring bottom water laden with dissolved CO2 to the surface. The rapid release form solution of large amounts of CO2 caused the formation of a gas cloud that flowed down the mountainside asphyxiating people in the neighboring villages. The CO2 is believed to have entered the lake from magmatic sources. Test this scenario by calculating the maximum amount of CO2 that could be dissolved at a depth of 200 m expressed as cubic meters of CO2 at STP per m3 of water. Assume that pure CO2 gas entered the bottom of the lake and that the water temperature was 25 C.

Explanation / Answer

Solution-

Given

KH = 29.4 atm/M (Henry's Law constant)

P = 1atm at STP

We can use Henry's Law

[CO2] =P/KH = (1 atm*1M)/29.4atm = 0.0034 M

M = mole/L

Therefore, there are 0.0034 moles of CO2 are in 1L

We want to calculate it in per m^3

1m^3 = 1000L

Mole of CO2 in 1m^3 = 0.0034 mole of CO2* 1m^3/1000L

=3.4 * 10^-6 mole

Mole = mass/molar mass

Mass of CO2 = 3.4 * 10^-6 mole*44.01 g/mol = 1.49*10^-4 g

Answer = 1.49*10^-4 g of CO2 that could be dissolved at a depth of 200 m

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse K
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.