Pollutant gases

What is the environmental impact of carbon dioxide?

Enhanced greenhouse effect - IR radiation from the earth is absorbed in the bonds, trapping the heat in the atmosphere. Global warming causes climate change, ice cap melting, sea levels rising and increased flooding.

What is the environmental impact of sulfur dioxide?

Dissolves in rain water to form acid rain:

SO₂ + H₂O → H₂SO₃

H₂SO₃ is known as sulfurous acid.

Acid rain:

• corrodes limestone (rocks and buildings)

• makes rivers/ lakes acidic, damaging (killing) plants and animals

• makes soil more acidic, damaging crops

• corrodes metal structures (eg iron/ steel)

• irritates respiritory systems (eg lungs) causing health issues

What is environmental impact of nitrogen oxides?

Dissolves in rain water (and reacts with oxygen) to form acid rain:

N₂O + H₂O + 2O₂ → 2HNO₃

 

HNO₃ is nitric acid

Issues are the same as with sulfurous acid.

What is the environmental impact of methane?

Greenhouse gas - same effects as carbon dioxide

What is the environmental impact of carbon monoxide

Toxic gas - it combines with haemoglobin instead of oxygen so the body cannot transport oxygen.

How does carbon dioxide get into the atmosphere?

Complete combustion of fossil fuels.

How does sulfur dioxide get into the atmosphere?

Sulfur impurities in fossil fuels combust in oxygen:

S + O₂ → SO₂

 

To prevent this happening, sulfur impurities should be removed from the fuel before combustion.

How do nitrogen oxides get into the atmosphere?

At the high temperatures of vehicle engines atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen react to form various oxides of nitrogen. eg 2N₂ + O₂ → 2N₂O

 

Oxides of nitrogen can be removed from exhaust gases using a catalytic converter.

How does methane gets into the atmosphere?

Anaerobic decomposition of organic matter (eg in digestive systems) and released through flatulence.

How does carbon monoxide gets into the atmosphere?

Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.