Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

Vocabulary connected to AP Environmental Science Unit 7 Topics

Acid deposition

Acidic precipitation (rain, snow, fog) is caused by pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, often released from coal-burning power plants.

Acid rain precursors

Pollutants that cause acid rain, specifically sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

A scale used to report air quality to the public that translates levels of pollutants into easy-to-understand categories.

Air scrubbers

A device that removes pollutants from the air, such as particulate matter, gases, and odors.

Aldehyde emissions

Compounds (e.g., formaldehyde, acetaldehyde) that can be released from incomplete combustion, industrial processes, and some natural sources.

Asbestos

A fibrous mineral that can cause lung disease; formerly used in insulation and other materials.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

A greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels and other organic materials.

Carbon monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion.

Catalytic converter

A device in vehicles that reduces harmful emissions, like NOx, CO, and VOCs.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Human-made chemicals formerly used in refrigerants and aerosols that deplete the ozone layer.

Clean Air Act

A U.S. federal law regulating air pollution that sets standards and limits emissions of criteria air pollutants.

Climate change

The observed increase in Earth's average temperature and broader shifts in weather patterns, largely attributed to increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Coal combustion

Burning this fossil fuel to create electric energy is a significant source of air pollutants like particulates, sulfur and nitrogen oxides, trace elements, and organic compounds.

Coarse particulate matter (PM10)

Larger particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less, often originating from sources like dust, pollen, and construction activities.

Criteria air pollutants

A set of common air pollutants (e.g., ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, lead) for which the EPA sets standards.

Dry scrubbers

Use dry media, such as activated carbon or zeolite, to trap pollutants.

Electrostatic precipitators

Devices that remove particulate matter from industrial exhaust gases using an electric charge.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The U.S. governmental agency responsible for regulating air pollution.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)

A specific type of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, particularly harmful because it can penetrate deeply into the lungs.

Fossil fuel combustion

Burning these nonrenewable resources (coal, oil, natural gas) for energy, which produces common air pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds.

Greenhouse effect

The process by which certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, warming the Earth.

Industrial smog

Air pollution caused by industrial emissions, often containing sulfur dioxide and particulate matter.

Inversion layer

A layer of warm air traps cooler air near the ground, which can worsen air pollution.

Lead (Pb)

A toxic metal that can cause neurological damage; formerly used in gasoline.

Mesosphere

The layer of the atmosphere above the stratosphere, largely unaffected by direct air pollution from the surface.

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out ozone-depleting substances.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

The standards the EPA sets for criteria air pollutants, aiming to protect public health and the environment by setting emission limits.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Air pollutants formed when nitrogen reacts with oxygen at high temperatures; contribute to smog and acid rain.

Noise pollution

Excessive or disturbing noise that disrupts human activity and wildlife.

Nonpoint source pollution

Pollution that comes from multiple sources rather than a single identifiable source.

Ozone (O3)

A gas that can be both a pollutant (in the troposphere) and a protective layer (in the stratosphere).

Ozone-depleting substances (ODS)

Man-made chemicals, primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), that react with ozone in the stratosphere, causing its destruction and leading to depletion of the ozone layer.

Ozone hole

A thinning of the stratospheric ozone layer, particularly over Antarctica.

Particulate matter (PM)

Tiny particles in the air that can be inhaled and cause health problems.

Peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs)

Secondary air pollutants formed from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds; a common component of photochemical smog.

Photochemical oxidants

Secondary air pollutants formed by the reaction of sunlight with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

Photochemical smog

Secondary air pollution formed by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.

Point source pollution

A single, identifiable location from which pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere.

Primary pollutant

A substance that is directly emitted from a source into the environment.

Radon (Rn)

A radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings.

Secondary pollutant

A pollutant formed in the atmosphere by chemical reactions between primary pollutants.

Smog

A combination of pollutants that creates a visible haze in the air.

Stratosphere

The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere, containing the ozone layer.

Stratospheric ozone

Ozone in the stratosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

A gas produced by burning fossil fuels containing sulfur; contributes to acid rain.

Troposphere

The layer of Earth's atmosphere where nearly all weather phenomena occur.

Tropospheric ozone (O3)

Harmful air pollutant that forms when sunlight reacts with other pollutants and is a major component of smog.

Ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.1)

Airborne particles less than 0.1 microns in diameter, considered one of the most dangerous types of particle pollutants.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

While not a pollutant itself, it's affected by air pollution (specifically the ozone layer).

Vapor recovery nozzle

A device used at gasoline stations to capture harmful gasoline vapors during refueling.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

A group of chemicals that contribute to air pollution and can be harmful to human health.

Wet scrubbers

Use liquid to remove pollutants from a gas stream.

Thermosphere

The layer of the atmosphere above the mesosphere.