6.3 Photochemical Smog

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19 Terms

1
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What does air pollution consist of?

Primary pollutant, secondary pollutants

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Define primary pollutant

Directly emitted from sources

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Define secondary pollutant

Formed through chemical reactions in atmosphere

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What are examples of primary pollutants?

  • CO - harmful, odourless gas causing poisoning

  • CO2 - greenhouse gas driving global warming

  • Soot - from incomplete combustion, worsening air quality, climate change

  • VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) - released during combustion, contributes to smog

  • NOx - smog, respiratory issues

  • SOx - lead to acid rain, health problems

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What are examples of secondary pollutants?

  • Tropospheric ozone (O3)

  • Nitric acid (HNO3)

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How is ozone formed?

Formed from reactions between O2 and NO2 under sunlight

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How is nitric acid formed?

Formed from NOx, contributes to acid rain and particulate pollution

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Why is it important to control pollutants?

  • Reduce fossil fuel emissions to limit primary and secondary pollutants

  • Promote cleaner technologies and air quality measures

  • Mitigate health risks and environmental damage (e.g. acid rain, smog, climate change)

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What is tropospheric ozone also referred to as?

Ground-level ozone

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How are nitrogen oxides formed?

Industrial processes, vehicle emissions, combustion of fossil fuels

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Why is ozone negative?

It is highly reactive and damaging

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What are the effects of ozone on plants?

O3 absorbed by leaves

  • Damage plant tissues, impair photosynthesis by degrading chlorophyll

  • Reduce crop yields

  • Leaf damage symptoms

Wheat, rice, soybeans

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What are the effects of ozone on human health?

  • Irritates respiratory system - coughing, throat irritation, asthma

  • Reduced lung function with prolonged exposure to high ozone levels

  • Eye irritation

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What is the effect of ozone on materials?

  • Can damage materials such as rubber, fabrics, certain plastics, cellulose

  • Reduces car tires

  • Bleaches fabrics

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When is ozone good/bad?

  • Good: provides organisms with protection from harmful UV radiation

  • Bad: high concentrations

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What are the 3 categories for reducing air pollution?

  • Altering human activity producing pollution

  • Regulating and reducing pollution at point of emission

  • Clean up and restoration

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How to alter human activity?

  • Encourage energy-efficient technologies

  • Promote use of public transport to reduce number of vehicles

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How to regulate and reduce pollutants at point of emission?

  • Government regulations to set emission limits

  • Taxes/fees on high-polluting activities

  • Cleaner, renewable energy sources

  • Catalytic converters - devices installed in exhaust systems to reduce emissions of primary pollutants e.g. nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide (convert harmful pollutants into less harmful substances)

  • Regulating fuel quality - government can establish regulations/standards for fuel quality, so fewer pollutants e.g. implement stutter controls on sulfur content in fuels, reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and related pollutants

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How can clean up and restoration help air pollution?

  • Reforestation can absorb CO2, reducing concentration and mitigating greenhouse effect

  • Re-greening initiatives involve creating green spaces, I proving air quality

  • Conservation of natural areas and preservation of ecosystems can contribute to carbon sequestration, reduce air pollution