Unit 7- Atmospheric Pollution

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60 Terms

1

Acid

A substance that produces hydrogen ions in solution; less than 7 on the pH scale.

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2

Acid deposition

The accumulation of acidic substances on the surface of the Earth.

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3

Acid precipitation

Rain or snowfall that has a lower pH than normal.

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4

Acidification

The lowering of pH of a solution.

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5

Acute

Rapid onset and shorter duration

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6

Air pollutant

Substances found in the atmosphere that cause harmful effects to the environment and/or humans.

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7

Altitude

Elevation above sea level.

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8

Ambient

The immediate surroundings

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9

Anthropogenic

Caused by human activities

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10

Asbestos

Heat-resistant fibrous material that is used for insulation but is harmful if inhaled.

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11

Asphyxiant

A material that causes the victim to suffocate.

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12

Atmosphere

The thin layer of gases that surrounds Earth.

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13

Carbon dioxide

A colorless, odorless gas produced during respiration and by combustion of organic compounds.

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14

Carbon monoxide

A toxic colorless, odorless gas that is produced

by incomplete combustion of organic compounds.

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15

Carcinogen

A substance that causes cancer.

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16

Catalytic converter

A device that reduces carbon monoxide and NOx emissions from vehicles.

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17

Chronic

Long lasting and persistent

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18

Clean Air Act

1970 law that set emission standards for cars and limited the release of air pollutants.

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19

Coal

A solid dark brown or black fossil fuel used primarily for electricity generation.

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20

Combustion

The chemical reaction of burning.

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21

Decomposition

The process of organic matter breaking down.

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22

Diesel fuel

A blend of petroleum refining products and mineral oil used as a fuel.

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23

Electromagnetic spectrum

The range of wavelengths of radiation such as UV light, visible light, and infrared.

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24

Electrostatic precipitator

A device used for removing particulates from smokestack emissions by attracting charged particles to an oppositely charged metal plate.

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25

EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency, an independent federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment.

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26

Formaldehyde

An indoor air pollutant that is a colorless chemical used to manufacture building materials and many household products, such as particleboard and hardwood plywood paneling.

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27

Fossil fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas that are formed from the ancient remains of plants and animals.

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28

Gasoline

Fuel produced by refining petroleum that is used for internal combustion engines.

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29

Groundwater

Water that fills the cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock layers.

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30

Heavy metals

Metals of relatively high density that can be toxic to organisms in small quantities.

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31

Hydrocarbons

Organic molecules consisting of chains of carbon and hydrogen.

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32

Indicator species

Species that serve as early warnings that a community or ecosystem is being degraded.

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33

Industrial smog

Type of air pollution resulting from emissions from factories and other sources due to the burning of fossil fuels.

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34

Insulation

A substance that reduces the transfer of heat or sound.

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35

Lead

A heavy metal air pollutant that has been greatly reduced due to its removal from gasoline, and now primarily enters the atmosphere through industrial processes.

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36

Limestone

A hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate.

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37

Mercury

A heavy metal air pollutant that is mainly produced through coal combustion.

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38

Mitigation

Actions that reduce the severity of effects of something.

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39

Mold

Fungi that are a common indoor air pollution source.

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40

Neutralize

when an acid and a base come in contact with each other bringing the pH closer to neutral.

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41

Nitric acid

A common component of acid precipitation that forms when NOx combine with water in the air.

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42

Nitrous oxides

Also known as NOx, includes NO2 and NO3 that are emitted from industry and vehicles.

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43

Noise pollution

Unwanted or potentially damaging sounds

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44

Ozone

A gas molecule that is made up of three oxygen atoms that is formed naturally in the stratosphere but when formed in the troposphere is considered a pollutant.

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45

PANs

Peroxyacyl nitrates, a group of chemicals that are found in photochemical smog.

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46

Particulate Matter

Solid and liquid matter suspended in the air that reduces visibility & causes respiratory irritation.

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47

pH scale

A range of values used to show the amount of hydrogen ions in a solution, or how acidic/basic it is.

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48

Photochemical smog

Form of air pollution that is created from the interaction between chemicals in the air and sunlight.

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49

Primary pollutants

Pollutants that are put directly into the air by human or natural activity.

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50

Radioactive

Elements that spontaneously emit radiation.

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51

Radon

A gas that occurs naturally in the soil due to the decay of Uranium and is a common indoor air pollutant.

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52

Remediation

Containment or treatment of an area that has been contaminated.

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53

Respiratory

Related to breathing and the lungs.

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54

Secondary Pollutants

Pollutants that form from chemical reactions that occur when emitted pollutants come in contact with water vapor or sunlight.

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55

Sulfur dioxide

A colorless, corrosive gas produced during the combustion of fossil fuels that is directly damaging to living things as well as a precursor to acid precipitation.

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56

Sulfuric acid

Formed when sulfur dioxide emissions react with water vapor in the air, creating acid precipitation.

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57

Thermal inversion

A condition that occurs when warm air traps cooler air (and pollution) at the surface of the earth.

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58

Tropospheric ozone

A secondary pollutant formed near the surface of the Earth by the interaction of sunlight, NOx, and VOCs, which is a major component of smog that can injure living tissues and cause respiratory problems.

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59

VOCs

Volatile Organic Compounds which are used in paints and stains and are released into the air where they react with NOx and sunlight to form ozone.

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60

Wet scrubbers

Fine mists of water vapor used to trap air particulates in smokestacks from burning fossil fuels.

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