Atmospheric Structure and Air Pollution Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering atmospheric layers, types of pollutants (primary vs. secondary), environmental laws and protocols, smog formation, thermal inversions, and natural emission sources.

Atmosphere Composition

The atmosphere is mostly made up of nitrogen and oxygen, becoming denser closer to the Earth's surface.

Wind Generation

Caused by changes in pressure through the atmosphere, where air moves from high to low pressure.

Primary Pollutants

Pollutants emitted from a source directly into the atmosphere, which can be natural (e.g., sandstorms) or anthropogenic (e.g., industrial emissions).

Primary Pollutant Examples

Examples include $NO_x$, PM, $SO_2$, and CO.

Secondary Pollutants

Air pollutants formed in the atmosphere as a result of chemical or physical interactions between primary pollutants or other atmospheric components.

Secondary Pollutant Examples

Examples include photochemical oxidants and secondary particulate matter.

Sulfur Dioxide ($SO_2$)

A gas produced by burning coal that contributes to acid rain and respiratory illnesses.

Nitrous Oxides

Gasses produced by burning coal that contribute to smog and respiratory illnesses.

Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$)

The primary greenhouse gas produced from burning fossil fuels; it is also found naturally through respiration, decomposition, and volcanic eruptions.

Diesel Fuels

Main fuel for transporting goods in the U.S. that is heavier and oilier than gasoline and emits particulate matter and nitrogen compounds.

Clean Air Act

A federal law and the first comprehensive U.S. environmental law designed to control air pollution on a national level, including the regulation of lead in fuels.

Kyoto Protocol

A 1997 international agreement aimed at reducing $CO_2$ emissions and greenhouse gases, requiring industrialized nations to lessen their emissions.

Montreal Protocol

A 1987 global agreement to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances.

Photochemical Smog

A brown haze formed when UV light from the Sun reacts with nitrogen oxides; it is most prevalent in cities during summer mornings.

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Organic chemicals with a low boiling point and high vapor pressure at room temperature that evaporate or sublimate easily, such as perfumes and hairspray.

Thermal Inversion

A weather condition where a layer of warm air sits on a layer of cool air near the ground, trapping pollutants and preventing vertical dispersion.

Diurnal Inversion Patterns

Pollutant counts during inversions are typically lower during the day when sunlight heats the ground and higher at night.

Natural Particulate Matter

Substances like sea salt spray, dust from soil, pollen, and volcanic ash, which are mostly characterized as irritants.