AICE ENVIRONMENTAL-UNIT 7

pollution

Acid Deposition

Mix of pollutants depositing as wet or dry acid.

Wet Deposition

Acids in precipitation like rain or snow.

Acid Deposition

Mix of pollutants depositing as wet or dry acid.

Wet Deposition

Acids in precipitation like rain or snow.

Dry Deposition

Dust and gases depositing near pollution sources.

Acid Rain

Precipitation with pH less than 5.6.

Primary Pollutants

Directly emitted pollutants from sources.

Secondary Pollutants

Formed from reactions of primary pollutants.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Primary pollutant from burning fossil fuels.

Nitrogen Monoxide (NO)

Primary pollutant from vehicle emissions.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

Primary pollutant from combustion processes.

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)

Secondary pollutant formed from sulfur dioxide.

Nitric Acid (HNO3)

Secondary pollutant formed from nitrogen monoxide.

Aluminum Leaching

Acid rain leaches aluminum from soil into water.

Acid-Sensitive Species

Organisms vulnerable to low pH environments.

Critical pH for Fish Eggs

Most fish eggs fail to hatch below pH 5.

Dissolved Aluminum

Toxic to fish, damages gills and respiration.

Nutrient Leaching

Loss of essential nutrients from acidic soil.

Crop Yield Reduction

Lower pH leads to decreased agricultural productivity.

Defoliation

Loss of leaves due to acid deposition.

pH and H+ Concentration

Lower pH indicates higher hydrogen ion concentration.

Aquatic Ecosystem Impact

Acid rain harms fish and wildlife in water.

Tolerance to Acidity

Some species withstand acidic conditions better.

Root Hair Damage

Acidic soil harms water uptake in plants.

Acidic Lakes

Lakes with low pH may lack fish.

Acid Deposition

Process where acids strip nutrients from foliage.

Photosynthesis

Process by which trees convert sunlight into energy.

Chemical Weathering

Weathering caused by chemical reactions, like acids.

Limestone

Type of rock that dissolves in acid rain.

Photochemical Smog

Air pollution formed by sunlight-driven reactions.

Ground Level Ozone

Ozone formed at Earth's surface, harmful to health.

NOx

Nitrogen oxides, pollutants from combustion processes.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds, contribute to smog formation.

Industrial Smog

Smog from burning coal, includes soot and sulfur dioxide.

Sulfur Dioxide

Gas produced from burning fossil fuels, contributes to acid rain.

Tropospheric Ozone

Ozone in the lower atmosphere, a major smog component.

Asthma

Chronic respiratory condition worsened by air pollution.

Flue Gas Desulfurization

Process to remove sulfur dioxide from exhaust gases.

Dry Scrubbers

Devices using chemicals to absorb pollutants from emissions.

Wet Scrubbers

Devices that use liquid to remove pollutants from gases.

Mass Transit

Public transport systems to reduce private vehicle use.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that do not pollute, like solar.

Urban Air Pollution

Air pollution concentrated in city environments.

Particulate Matter

Small particles in the air that can harm health.

Crop Yield

Amount of crop produced, affected by air quality.

Heart Problems

Health issues exacerbated by exposure to smog.

Legislation

Laws aimed at reducing air pollution.

Local Food Consumption

Eating locally sourced food to reduce carbon footprint.

Wet Scrubbers

Devices that absorb pollutants using water droplets.

Hydrodesulfurization (HDS)

Process to remove sulfur from petroleum products.

Sulfur Dioxide (SOx)

Pollutants produced from burning sulfur-containing fuels.

Catalytic Converters

Devices converting harmful exhaust pollutants to less harmful substances.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature.

Electrostatic Precipitators

Devices that remove particles from gas streams using electric charge.

Particulate Matter (PM)

Tiny particles in the air that can harm health.

Formaldehyde

Common VOC and indoor air pollutant, measurable in air.

Sludge Collection System

System for trapping and disposing of polluted water.

Mist Eliminator

Device that captures mist droplets in scrubbers.

Hydrotreating Facility

Plant where hydrodesulfurization processes occur.

Carbon Footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual.

Geneva Convention

1979 agreement to control transboundary air pollution.

Montreal Protocol

1987 treaty to phase out CFCs for ozone protection.

Rio Earth Summit

1992 conference aimed at reducing environmental pollution.

Kyoto Protocol

International agreement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Economic Incentives

Financial benefits to encourage environmentally friendly practices.

Educational Campaigns

Programs to inform public about pollution reduction.

Air Fresheners

Household products that can emit VOCs into the air.

Aerosol Sprays

Common VOC sources found in household products.

Proper Disposal

Following guidelines for safe waste management.

Ventilation Increase

Improving air flow to reduce VOC exposure.

Gothenburg Protocol

Targets reduction of pollutants and acid rain.

Copenhagen Conference

2009 agreement on greenhouse gas emission limits.

$30 billion aid

Initial financial support for LICs from HICs.

Paris Climate Conference

2015 agreement to limit global temperature rise.

2° C limit

Goal to restrict global temperature increase.

Polluter Pays Principle

Polluters bear costs of environmental damage.

Ozone Depletion

Reduction of ozone layer due to pollutants.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Unreactive compounds causing ozone depletion.

Dobson Unit

Measurement unit for ozone concentration.

Ozone hole

Area with ozone concentration below 100 Dobson Units.

Polar vortex

Weather phenomenon affecting ozone depletion in Antarctica.

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs)

Clouds contributing to ozone depletion processes.

Increased UV radiation

Result of ozone layer deterioration.

Cataracts

Eye condition exacerbated by UV radiation.

Montreal Protocol

Successful agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)

Greenhouse gases used as CFC alternatives.

Global warming potential (GWP)

Measure of a substance's heat-trapping ability.

Fluorinated Gases (F-GHGs)

Potent greenhouse gases from industrial processes.

Rowland and Molina

Scientists who confirmed CFCs' role in ozone depletion.

Experimental evidence

Data supporting scientific hypotheses on ozone destruction.

Auxiliary hypotheses

Supporting ideas tested alongside main scientific hypotheses.

Skin cancer

Health risk increased by exposure to UV radiation.

Decreased biodiversity

Loss of species diversity due to environmental changes.