chap. 12-13

Air pollution

the contamination of the atmosphere by the introduction of pollutants from
human and natural sources

primary pollutant

a pollutant that forms in the atmosphere by chemical reaction with
primary air pollutants, natural components in the air, or both.

Smog

urban air pollution composed of a mixture of smoke and fog produced from industrial
pollutants and burning fuels

Secondary pollutant

a pollutant that forms in the atmosphere by chemical reaction with
primary air pollutants, natural components in the air, or both.

Temperature inversion-

the atmospheric condition in which warm air traps cooler air near
Earth’s surface.

Sick-building syndrome

a set of symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, eye irritation, and
dizziness that may affect workers in modern, airtight office buildings; believed to be caused by
indoor pollutants.

Decibel

the most common unit used to measure loudness.

Acid precipitation

precipitation, such as rain, sleet, or snow, that contains a high concentration
of acids, often because of the pollution of the atmosphere.

pH

a value that is used to express the acidity or alkalinity (basicity) of a system, pH of 7 is
neutral, pH of less than 7 is acidic, and pH of greater than 7 is basic

Acid shock

the sudden runoff of large amounts of highly acidic water into lakes and streams
when snow melts in the spring or when heavy rains follow a drought

Climate

the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time

Latitude

the distance north or south from the equator; expressed in degrees

El Niño

a periodic occurrence in the eastern Pacific Ocean in which the surface water
temperature becomes unusually warm

La Niña

a periodic occurrence in the eastern Pacific Ocean in which the surface water
temperature becomes unusually cool.

Ozone layer

the layer of the atmosphere at an altitude of 15to 40 km in which ozone absorbs
ultraviolet solar radiation

Chlorofluorocarbons

hydrocarbons in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms are
replaced by chlorine or fluorine; destroys ozone molecules

Ozone hole

a thinning of stratospheric ozone that occurs over the poles during the spring

Polar stratospheric clouds

a cloud that forms at altitudes of about 21,000 m during the Artic
and Antarctic winter or early spring, when air temperatures drop below -80°C.

Greenhouse gases

a gas composed of molecules that absorb and radiate infrared radiation
from the sun

Global warming

a gradual increase in average global temperature

Kyoto Protocol

an international treaty according to which developed countries that signed the treaty agree to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases that may contribute to global warming by 2012.