Air Pollution | AQA A Level Environmental Science | Primrose Kitten

Smoke

Result of incomplete combustion, contains small solid particles

Particulate Matter (PM)

Refers to small suspended solid particles in smoke

PM10

Smoke particles smaller than 10 μm

PM5

Smoke particles smaller than 5 μm

PM1

Smoke particles smaller than 1 μm

Low Density

Property of smoke particles impacting their mobility

High Mobility

Property of smoke particles related to their ability to remain in the atmosphere

Toxic

Smoke containing harmful substances like heavy metals

Synergistic

Smoke interacting with other pollutants to worsen effects

Primary Pollutant

Smoke directly released into the environment

Reactive

Smoke that chemically reacts with other substances

Albedo

Property of smoke reflecting UV radiation

Critical Group Monitoring (CGM)

Monitoring vulnerable groups for smoke exposure

Smoke Smog

Combination of smoke and fog, more hazardous

Temperature Inversion

Traps cold air near the ground, leading to fog formation

The Clean Air Act

Legislation to control smoke pollution and create smokeless zones

Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)

Filters in diesel cars to trap smoke particles

Electrostatic Precipitators

Devices using electrically charged plates to capture smoke particles

Cyclone Separators

Devices that force smoke particles to outer surfaces for collection

Scrubbers

Devices using water spray to wash out smoke particles from gases

Scrubbing

Process of washing out smoke particles from gas

Effluent

Waste liquid or gas discharged into the environment

Turbo

Device in an engine that increases combustion efficiency

Photochemical Smog

Secondary pollutant formed by nitrous oxides, tropospheric ozone, and unburned hydrocarbons

Peroxyacetyl Nitrates (PANs)

Chemical compound produced in the formation of photochemical smog

Catalytic Converter

Device in vehicle exhausts that reduces nitrous oxides back into nitrogen and oxygen

Activated Carbon Filter

Filter used to adsorb organic matter, such as hydrocarbons, from gases

Carbon Monoxide

Odorless, colorless gas released from incomplete combustion that binds to haemoglobin

Haemoglobin

Protein in blood that carries oxygen

Acid Rain

Precipitation with a pH lower than 5.6 caused by atmospheric pollutants mixing with water

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

Formed when oxides of sulphur mix with water vapour, leading to acid rain

Sulphurous Acid

Acid formed from sulphur dioxide mixing with water vapour

Sulphuric Acid

Stronger acid formed from sulphur trioxide, contributing to acid rain

Nitrous Oxides (NOx)

Greenhouse gas responsible for acid rain formation

NOx

Nitrogen and oxygen bind at high engine temperatures, forming a potent greenhouse gas.

Nitrous Acid

Formed when NOx dissolve in water vapor in the atmosphere.

Nitric Acid

Formed when NOx dissolve in water vapor in the atmosphere.

Hydrogen Chloride

Released from fossil fuel combustion or incineration of plastics with chlorine, forms hydrochloric acid.

Direct Impacts of Acid Rain

Immediate harm to organisms in direct contact with pollutants, causing death or injury.

Indirect Impacts of Acid Rain

Effects on organisms not in direct contact, like loss of inter-species relationships leading to death.

Soil Permeability

Acids disrupt ped structure, reducing water permeability and aeration, potentially causing plant and soil biota death.

Heavy Metals Solubility

Acidic pH increases heavy metal solubility, making them more mobile and toxic to organisms.

Eutrophication

Increased solubility of inorganic ions leads to eutrophication, risking aerobic species in water.

Environmental Factors Affecting Acid Rain Impact

Features like soil lime content, fog, and snow influence the severity of acid rain's impact on an area.

Desulphurisation

Process of removing sulphur from fossil fuels before combustion or from waste gases after combustion.

Dry Flue-Gas Desulphurisation

Removal of sulphur dioxide from waste gases using crushed limestone to produce calcium sulphate and CO2.

Wet Flue-Gas Desulphurisation

Scrubbing method where water with sodium sulphite removes oxides of sulphur from effluent gases.

Catalytic Converters

Devices that reduce NOx gases back to nitrogen and oxygen, found in industrial plants and vehicle exhausts.