Unit 7 Vocab Aice Environmental Management

particulates

solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. Generally these come from any type of burning or dust-generating activities

PM 10

particulate matter of diameter of 10 micrometres or smaller. The particulates can be inhaled. The number next to the PM indicates the size of the particulate matter being measured, e.g. PM 1 is 1 micrometre in diameter or smaller

Ground-Level Ozone

forms when NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight

acid deposition

a mix of air pollutants that deposit from the atmosphere as acidic wet deposition (with a pH < 5.6) or acidic dry deposition

primary air pollutant

an air pollutant emitted directly from the source

secondary air pollutant

an air pollutant that forms when pollutants react in the atmosphere

smog

a mixture of smoke and fog; smog intensifies atmospheric pollution

wet acid deposition

atmospheric pollution deposited on Earth's surface as precipitation, such as snow, rain, hail and fog

dry acid deposition

atmospheric pollution deposits on Earth's surface in the absence of moisture, like dust or gas.

photochemical smog

a mixture of air pollutants and particulates, including ground level ozone, that is formed when oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the presence of sunlight.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

compounds that have a high vapour pressure and a low water solubility; VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids including paints, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, and building materials.

ozone

03, a colourless, odourless gas found naturally in the stratosphere and formed by oxygen by UV light

polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs)

stratospheric clouds that form over the poles in winter at altitudes of between 15000 metres and 25000 metres . One of the main types of PSC is mostly made up of supercooled droplets of water and nitric acid

ozone hole

an area where the average concentration of ozone is below 100 Dobson Units

polar vortex

a large, long-lasting rotating low-pressure system located over the north and south poles. It weakens in summer and strengthens in winter.

transnational corporation (TNC)

a company that has its head office in one country, and has branches or factories in other countries. It works across international borders