The Atmosphere, Air Quality, and Air Pollution Control

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the atmosphere, air quality, and pollution control as discussed in the lecture notes.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases that envelops our planet, moderating climate, providing oxygen, shielding from meteors and solar radiation, and recycling water and nutrients.

Weather

Atmospheric conditions in a location over short time periods (weeks or shorter).

Climate

Patterns of atmospheric conditions in a location over long periods of time (years or longer).

Air Pollutants

Gases and particulate material added to the atmosphere that can affect climate or harm people and other living things.

Primary Pollutants

Pollutants released directly from a source, such as ash from a volcano or carbon monoxide from a car.

Secondary Pollutants

Pollutants formed when primary pollutants react with each other or components of the atmosphere, like ozone from urban smog.

Temperature Inversion

A weather phenomenon where a layer of cool air is trapped beneath warm air, preventing vertical mixing and trapping pollution.

Clean Air Act

A U.S. law that funds pollution control research, sets standards for air quality, and encourages emissions standards for vehicles.

Photochemical Smog

Smog formed when sunlight drives chemical reactions between primary pollutants and atmospheric compounds, producing a mixture of harmful substances.

Acid Deposition

The deposition of acid or acid-forming pollutants from the atmosphere on Earth

’s surface, affecting ecosystems and structures.

Ozone Depletion

The reduction of ozone in the stratosphere caused by human-made airborne chemicals, threatening protection from harmful UV radiation.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty signed in 1987 to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Carbon-containing chemicals emitted by vehicle engines and solvents that can contribute to air pollution.

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons, synthetic compounds that deplete the ozone layer and were commonly used in refrigerants and aerosols.

Tornado

A rapidly rotating column of air in contact with both the surface of the Earth and a cumulonimbus cloud or, in rare cases, the base of a cumulus cloud.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural process where some atmospheric gases trap heat, warming the Earth's surface.

Greenhouse Gases

Atmospheric gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapor that absorb and emit infrared radiation, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Climate Change

Significant and long-term changes in global or regional climate patterns, largely attributed to the increased levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, significant components of air pollution that can cause respiratory issues and reduce visibility.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless, and toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, posing a threat by binding to hemoglobin in blood.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO_2)

A pungent gas produced by burning fossil fuels (especially coal), a major contributor to acid deposition and respiratory problems.

Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x)

A group of highly reactive gases containing nitrogen and oxygen, formed during high-temperature combustion, contributing to smog and acid rain.

Ground-level Ozone

A harmful secondary pollutant formed by reactions between NO_x, VOCs, and sunlight, damaging lungs and plants.

Stratospheric Ozone

Naturally occurring ozone in the stratosphere that absorbs most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting life on Earth.

Industrial Smog

A type of smog dominated by sulfur dioxide and particulate matter from industrial combustion, often appearing as a grey haze.

Troposphere

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to about 12 km, where weather occurs and human activities take place.

Stratosphere

The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, extending from about 12 km to 50 km, containing the ozone layer.

Mesosphere

The atmospheric layer above the stratosphere, extending from about 50 km to 85 km, where meteors burn up.

Thermosphere

The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from about 85 km upwards, characterized by very high temperatures due to solar radiation.

Indoor Air Pollution

Air pollution occurring within buildings, often containing higher concentrations of pollutants (e.g., radon, VOCs, particulates) than outdoor air.