Air Pollution Exam Review

Three most prevalent elements in the atmosphere

Hydrogen, Oxygen, Argon

What do variable components in the atmosphere do?

Influence short-term weather and long-term climate

What are some examples of variable components in the atmosphere

Water, CO2, CH4 (Methane), N20 (Nitrous Oxide), O3 (Tropospheric Ozone)

What are the layers of the atmosphere

Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere,

Where is the ozone layer

Bottom of the Stratosphere

Inversions

When hot air lies on top of cold air, preventing mixing.

What are some effects of inversions

Can trap pollution near surfaces leading to poor air quality.

Worst climate for inversions

Mountainous, coastal

Where does weather occur?

Troposphere

What does the ozone layer do in the stratosphere?

Cause the temperature to become warmer with altitude.

Why does temperature drop in the mesosphere?

Because of the rapidly decreasing density of the air at that altitude.

Why is the temperature get warmer in the thermosphere?

Because the UV radiation is unfiltered.

Causes of stratosphere ozone depletion

Flame retardants, refrigerants, ac, aerosols, pesticides

Montreal Protocol

International cooperation for banning CFCs and its causes. Happened in Canada in 1987.

Primary pollutant that causes stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Secondary pollutant of CFCs

C10 + 02

Effects of CFCs

Damaged fabric, cracked rubber, disrupts photosynthesis, skin cancer, cataracts

Causes of Acid Deposition/Acid Rain

Factories, Car Emissions, Coal

Primary Pollutant of Acid Deposition/Rain

SO2, CO2

Secondary Pollutants

H2SO4 - Sulfuring Acid from SO2 and Rain

H2CO3 - Carbonic Acid from CO2 and Rain

Effects of Acid Rain

Disrupts Photosynthesis

Acidic habitats kill life.

Leaching of plant nutrients

Eats away at buildings.

How does wind impact acid deposition?

Pollutant blown across state/international boarders due to wind, causing international incidents.

Causes of Photochemical Smog

Deforestation, Fires, Coal Burning, Car Exhaust, Manufacturing, Inversion Layers

Primary pollutants of Photochemical Smog

NOX

Secondary Pollutants of Photochemical Smog

NO + O

O3 - Ozone

1st Level of Pollution Mangement

Altering human activity that alters the output of the pollutant through alternative tech, lifestyles, and values:

• Education

• Legislation

• Economic Incentives

• Tech Alternatives

• Lifestyle Changes

2nd Level of Pollution Management

Controlling the release of the pollutant through removing the pollutant at the source - even through its still produced:

• Catalytic Converters

  • Scurbbers

Third Level of Pollution Management

Removing pollutant from environment itself - conditions are usually the most dire and require invasive intervention.

• Reforestation

• Repopulation

• Spreading out protective material - such as limestone