Chapter 7: Atmospheric Pollution

Antarctica

________ has a nearly constant temperature inversion.

Air pollution

It occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances are introduced into Earths atmosphere

Parts per million (ppm)

The most common form of expressing air pollutants

Primary Pollutants

Emitted directly into the air

Secondary Pollutants

Result from primary air pollutants reacting together and forming new pollutants

Point source air pollution

It occurs when the contaminant comes from an obvious source

Non-point source air pollution

It occurs when the contaminant comes from a source that is not easily identifiable or from a number of sources spread over a large, widespread area

Criteria air pollutants

These are a set of eight air pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, and other health hazards and are typically emitted from many sources in the industry, mining, transportation, power generation, and agriculture

Industrial smog

Trends to be sulfur-based and is also called gray smog

Carbon monoxide

It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly less dense than air and is produced from the partial oxidation of carbon-containing compounds

Lead

It is used in building construction, lead-acid batteries for vehicles, bullets and shot fishing weights, solder, and shields for radiation

Nitrogen Oxide

A generic term for nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in the air

Nitrous oxide

It is a major air pollutant, with levels of N2O having increased by more than 15% since 1750

Ozone

It is an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula O3, and tropospheric (ground-level) ozone is a secondary air pollutant

Tropospheric ozone

It does not have strong global effects, but instead is more influential in its effects on smaller, more localized areas

Peroxyacyl Nitrates (PANs)

These are secondary pollutants

Sulfuric Dioxide

A colorless gas with a penetrating, choking odor that readily dissolves in water to form an acidic solution

Suspended particulate matter (PMx)

It is microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in Earths atmosphere

Volcanic Organic Compounds (VOCs)

These are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure (easily evaporate) at ordinary room temperature

Photochemical smog

It is catalyzed by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tends to be nitrogen-based, and is referred to as brown smog

Thermal inversions

These occur when air temperature rises with height instead of falling

"Sick building" syndrome (SBS)

It is a term used to describe a combination of ailments associated with an individuals place of work or residence

Asbestos

It is inexpensive, durable, and flexible and naturally acts as an insulating and fireproofing agent

Carbon monoxide poisoning

It is the most common type of fatal indoor air poisoning in many countries because it easily combines with hemoglobin to block the bloods oxygen-carrying capacity

Formaldehyde

It is an organic chemical that is prevalent in the indoor environment and is a carcinogen that is linked to lung cancer

Radon

It is an invisible radioactive gas that results from the radioactive decay of radium, which can be found in rock formations beneath buildings

Cigarette smoke

It contains almost 5,000 chemical compounds, including 60 known carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals), one of which is dioxin

Catalytic converter

It is an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic chemicals in the exhaust of an internal-combustion engine into less harmful substances

Catalyst

It stimulates a chemical reaction in which by-products of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by way of catalyzed chemical reactions

Acid deposition

It occurs when atmospheric chemical processes transform sulfur and nitrogen compounds and other substances into wet or dry deposits on Earth

Dry Deposition

In dry areas, acidic chemicals in the air may become dust or smoke and stick to the ground, buildings, homes, cars, and trees, which rainstorms wash away, increasing acidic runoff

Wet Deposition

Acid rain, fog, and snow

Acid rain

It causes acidification of lakes and streams

Acid shock

Caused by rapid melting of snow pack with dry acidic particles, raises lake and stream acid concentrations five to ten times higher than acidic rainfall

Urban heat islands

It occur in metropolitan areas that are significantly warmer than their surroundings

Street Canyon

A place where the street is flanked by buildings on both sides, creating a canyon-like environment

Noise pollution

It is an unwanted human-created sound that disrupts the environment

Sensory hearing loss

it is caused by damage to the inner ear and is the most common form associated with noise pollution.

sulfur dioxide

Acid deposition due to ______ begins with sulfur dioxide being introduced into the atmosphere by burning coal and oil, smelting metals, organic decay, and ocean spray.

6 A.M.–9 A.M.

As people drive to work, concentrations of nitrogen oxides and VOCs increase

9 A.M.–11 A.M.

As traffic begins to decrease, nitrogen oxides and VOCs begin to react, forming nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

11 P.M.–4 P.M.

As the sunlight becomes more intense, nitrogen dioxide is broken down and the concentration of ozone (O3) increases:

4 P.M.–Sunset

As the sun goes down, the production of ozone is halted.

three way

Most present-day vehicles that run on gasoline are fitted with a “______” converter, since it converts the three main pollutants: