Studied by 10 people
acid deposition
caused by sulfuric and nitric acids resulting in lowered pH of surface waters, death to trees, damage to buildings
air pollution
the contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from human and natural sources
atmospheric pressure
the pressure caused by the weight of the atmosphere
industrial smog
consisting mostly of sulfur dioxide, suspended droplets of sulfuric acid, and a variety of suspended solid particles; from burning coal; aka gray smog
nitrogen oxides
(NOx) Major source is auto exhaust. Primary and secondary effects include acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone. Reduced using catalytic converters.
nitric acid
HNO₃; secondary pollutant; one of 2 in acid deposition.
ozone
gas that absorbs ultraviolet solar radiation (all UVC and most UVB) , found in the stratosphere, O₃
ozone layer
Layer of the stratosphere with a high concentration of ozone; absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation
particulates
Small particles of solid material suspended in air. PM in the atmosphere is the result of natural processes and human activities. Also known as particulate matter
photochemical smog
A brownish haze that is a mixture of ozone and other chemicals, formed when nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and other pollutants react with each other in the presence of sunlight. aka brown smog
primary pollutants
pollutants that are released directly into the lower atmosphere.
secondary pollutants
pollutants that begin as primary pollutants and change form in the atmosphere
stratosphere
2nd layer of atmosphere; extends from 10 to 30 miles up; location of ozone layer; absorbs 95% of Ultraviolet radiation; temperature increases with altitude increase.
sulfur dioxide
colorless and odorless; released in industrial processing like burning fossil coal. It is a major contributor to acid rain. Emissions have been reduced since the 1970s [D ND]
sulfuric acid
H₂SO₄; secondary pollutant; one of 2 in acid deposition.
temperature inversion (aka thermal inversion)
A deviation from the normal temperature distribution in the atmosphere, resulting in a layer of cold air temporarily trapped near the ground by a warmer, upper layer
troposphere
The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
A category of organic chemical with a high vapor pressure, which readily evaporate at normal temperature and pressure. They include benzene, chloroform, formaldehyde, ethanol, methane, etc.
CFC's
chemicals that react with sunlight and destroy ozone molecules, this causes the ozone layer to thin
Stratospheric Ozone
good ozone, produces oxygen molecules to interact with UV radiation and prevent 95% of it from reaching the surface
Tropospheric ozone
ground level ozone; is considered bad because it is closer to the earth making it more likely for someone to breathe it in and it contributes to smog.
Kyoto accord
An international agreement setting binding limits on emissions of greenhouse gases from industrialized countries. The Bush administration refused to join
Anthropogenic greenhouse gases
a greenhouse gas produced by human activity. Main sources include burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, enteric fermentation, rice farming, use of fertilizers, and use of chlorofluorocarbons and halons.
Heat island
An area in which the air temperature is generally higher than the temperature of surrounding rural areas.
Carbon sequestration
A method of storing carbon emissions to prevent their release into the atmosphere
methane
a gas without colour or smell, that burns easily and is used as fuel; is formed by the decay of organic material when oxygen is not present
aerosols
tiny solid particles or liquid droplets that remain suspended in the atmosphere for a long time
radon
radioactive gas from decay of uranium in rocks, can lead to lung cancer; type of indoor air pollution
clean air act
Law that set emission standards for cars, and limits for release of air pollutants
albedo
the proportion of the light or radiation that is reflected by a surface, typically that of ice, snow, or clouds.
pine beetles
insect spreading because of climate change - devastating north American forests.
cap and trade
Market-based system of pollution control whereby individual businesses can buy and sell emission credits even while the total level of industry pollution is capped at some level.
carbon neutral
an activity that has no net annual carbon emissions to the atmosphere (the amount of CO2 emitted = amount of CO2 taken in during something like photosynthesis.)
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Flashcard