2.93 - Atmospheric pollution

What are particulates/ particulate matter (PM)

Tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas (the air)

Explain the difference between aerosol and PM

PM: just the particles

Aerosol: particles + gas (air)

Name man-made sources of PM

• burning fossil fuels in vehicles

• power plants

• industrial processes (e.g. mining)

Name natural sources of PM

• Volcanoes

• Fist stroke

• Forest fires

• Living vegetation

• Sea spray

Why are gases not PM

Because they’re a gas - PM refers to liquid or solid matter suspended in the air

Give three examples of PM

• Dust

• Ash

• Soot

Give the effect of PM on the environment and humans

• Smoke increases the dangers of smog

• Smoke particles fall as grime on people, buildings, plants

• Particles darken the city by scattering light - causes global dimming which would affect food production

• Some particulates are carcinogenic and are linked to other health hazards (heart disease)

When methods do industries use to remove postulate matter (e.g. smoke, dust, grit)

• using sprays of water to wash out particles from their waste gases

• passing waste gases through filters

• Remove dust particles by electrostatic precipitation