nre chapter 10

air polution

chemicals, particulate, matter or microorganisms found in the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to harm plants, animals and materials such as buildings or to alter ecosystems

major air pollutants

sulfer dioxide

nitrogen oxides

carbon oxide

particulate matter

volatile organic compounds

ozone

lead

mercury

primary pollutants

polluting compounds coming directly out of smoke - stacks, exhaust pipes, or natural emmisons source

secondary pollutants

pollutants transformed in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen, or other compounds

natural sources of air pollution

volcanons

lightning

forest fires

plants

anthropogenic sources of air pollution

on road vehicles

power plants

industrial process

waste disposal

smog formation

smog forms when sunlight, notrogen oxides, and voltaile organic compounds are present

secondary pollutant ozone is a major component of the pjotochemical smog

sulfur is the main ingredient

thermal iversions

a relatively warm layer of air at mid-altitude covers a layer of cols, dense air below

warm inversion layer traps emissions (pollutants) that then accumulate beneath it

acid deposition

nitrogen oxide and sulfur released into the atmosphere combine with atmospheric oxygen and water

effects of acid deposition

lower the ph of lake water

decrease the species diversity in aquatic ecosystems

mobilizes metals found in soils and releases these into surface waters

damages statues, monuments, and buildings and other structures

ways to prevent air pollution

removing sulfur dioxide from coal by fluidizing bed combustion

catalytic converters in cars

scrubber on smoke stacks

baghouse filters

stratospheric radiation

the stratosphere ozone layer exists above the earth

ozone has the ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation and protect life on earth

anthropogenic contributions to the ozone destructions

chemicals like chlorine break down ozone

cfas are used in air conditioning - major source of chlorine

depletion of the ozone layer

global ozone concentrations have decreased by more than 10%

depletion is greatest at the poles

decreased stratospheric ozone has increased the amount of uv-b radiation that reaches the surface of the earth

indoor air pollution

wood, animal manure, or cool for cooking and heating in developing countries

lack of indoor ventalization can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning - this can lead to infections and cancer

abestos

insulating mineral fiber found in older buildings

radon

radioactive gas released by some rocks into the soil, and then migrates into homes

voc’s

many homes products give these off

building materals, plastics, fabrics, carpets