Common Ambient Air Pollutants - ENV. EFFECT

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Contributes to ground level ozone, smog

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Absorption of heat in the troposphere/increasing global temp. Water/atmospheric acidification and ecological impacts

Tropospheric Ozone (O3)

SMOG, decreased crop yields, damage to plants, traps heat, contributes to thermal inversions

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

forms photochemical smog, acid precipitation, damages plants, trees, aquatic life and buildings, poisonous and reacts with O2 to form NO2

Sulfur Oxides (SOx)

reacts in the atmosphere to form SO3 and H2SO4 (acid rain)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

contributes to ground level ozone and smog, climate change

Particulate Matter

decreased visibility, produces haze, dust on leaves damage crops (no photosynthesis), discolor/dirty buildings and other surfaces

CFC’s

Stratospheric ozone depletion allowing more UV-A & B to get to earth’s surface; decline in #’s (arctic krill) effecting food webs, decreased crop yields

Lead (Pb)

decreased growth/reproductive rates in plants & animals, neurological effects in vertebrates

Mercury (Hg)

capable of bioaccumulation and biomagnification