Air Pollution

Air

_____ is the invisible mixture of gases that surrounds Earth. This contains important substances, such as oxygen and nitrogen, that most species need to survive.

nitrogen and oxygen

The dry composition of the atmosphere is mostly _____ and _____. It also contains fractional amounts of argon and carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases, such as helium, neon, methane, krypton, and hydrogen (NASA).

troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere

four layers of atmosphere

Troposphere

The layer Of air immediately adjacent to the earth's surface is called the _______. Ranging in depth from about 16 km (IO mile) over the equator to about 8 km over the poles, this zone is where most weather events occur. Due to the force of gravity and the compressibility of gases, the troposphere contains about 80% of the total mass of the atmosphere .

Stratosphere

The _______ extends from the tropopause up to about 50 km. Air temperature in this zone is stable or even increases with higher altitude. Although more dilute than the troposphere, the _______ has a very similar composition except two important components: water and ozone.

mesosphere

Above the stratosphere, the temperature diminishes again creating the _______, or the middle layer. The minimum temperature in this region is about negative 800C.

thermosphere

At an altitude of 80 km, another abrupt temperature change occurs. is the beginning of the _______, a region of highly ionized gases, extending to about 1600 km. Temperatures are very high in the ______ because molecules there are constantly bombarded by high energy solar & cosmic radiation.

Air pollution

_____ may be defined as any atmospheric condition in which certain substances are present in such concentrations that they can produce undesirable effects on man and his environment.

Environmental quality

______ - is a general term which can refer to: varied characteristics such as air and water purity or pollution, noise, access to open space, and the visual effects of buildings, and the potential effects which such characteristics may have on physical and mental health (caused by human activities).

Indoor air pollutions

_____ Pollutions from the housing made materials and living and working activities of the house, such as: natural radiation-radon, domestic combustion-coal gas, and human habits tobacco smoking.

Outdoor air pollutions

_____ - Pollutions from out door services and environmental mixings, such as: transportation-automobiles, industries-refineries, atomic energy plant- nuclear, and community activities-cleaning of streets.

Aerosols

Small solid or liquid particles (fine drops or droplets) that are suspended in air.

Dust

aerosols consist Of particles in the solid phase.

Smoke

aerosols consist of particles in the solid and sometimes also liquid-phase and the associated gases that result from combustion.

Ash

aerosols of the solid phase of smoke, particularly after it settles into a fine dust.

Particulates

Small particles, that travel in air and settles or lands on something.

Fumes

are polydisperse fine aerosols consisting of solid particles that often aggregate together, so that many little particulates may form one big particle

Contamination

is simply the presence of a substance where it should not be concentrations background. or at above

Pollution

is contamination that results in or can result in adverse biological effects to resident communities. All pollutants are contaminants, but not all contaminants are pollutants.

Carbon monoxide

_____ is a colorless, nonirritating, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is found in both outdoor and indoor air.