Unit 7 Study Guide on Air Pollution

These flashcards cover fundamental concepts and facts associated with air pollution outlined in Unit 7.

Six pollutants identified by the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970

Carbon monoxide (CO), lead, nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Natural sources of air pollution

Volcanoes, wildfires, and dust storms.

NOx from a vehicle calculation

A vehicle driven 12,000 miles per year for 8 years releases 1.39 grams/mile × 12,000 miles/year × 8 years = 133,920 grams of NOx.

Air pollution causing neurological damage

Lead.

Main anthropogenic sources of gaseous air pollutants

Transportation, industry, and power generation.

Major producer of atmospheric mercury

Coal combustion.

Power plant releasing radioactive materials and toxic metals

Nuclear power plant.

Primary air pollutants from burning coal

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).

How the Clean Air Act reduced air pollution

Implemented regulations that limit emissions from power plants and vehicles.

What the Clean Air Act reduces from the atmosphere

Pollutants.

Negative externality of coal-fired power plants

Environmental and health impacts, including air and water pollution.

Ecological negative consequence of biomass energy

Deforestation and habitat destruction.

Ground-level ozone primary cause in U.S. cities

Emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities.

Gasoline additive previously widely used in the U.S.

MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether).

Photochemical smog formation in the troposphere

Occurs when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to create ground-level ozone.

Main greenhouse gases associated with agriculture

Methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Direct products of hydrocarbon fuel combustion in cars

Carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Effective way to reduce ground-level ozone in cities

Reducing emissions from vehicles and industrial sources.

Common component of photochemical smog

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

Why photochemical smog is harmful to humans

It can cause respiratory issues and exacerbate existing health problems.

Chemical reaction for photochemical smog creation

NO2 + VOCs + O2 + sunlight creates ozone (O3).

Atmospheric layers under normal conditions

Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere.

Effect of thermal inversion on air quality

Traps pollutants close to the ground, causing increased concentrations and poor air quality.

City with worst levels of photochemical smog and thermal inversion

Los Angeles.

Natural source of atmospheric carbon dioxide

Respiration and volcanic eruptions.

Decay of uranium leads to

Radon gas.

Decomposition releases

Methane (CH4).

Cellular respiration releases

Carbon dioxide (CO2).

Volcanic eruptions release

Water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Measurement unit for CO2

Parts per million (ppm).

Fibers causing lung disease

Asbestos.

Emitted from building materials and furniture

Formaldehyde.

Found in old plumbing and ceramic glazes

Lead.

Colorless, odorless gas from uranium decay

Radon.

Gas with higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen

Carbon monoxide (CO).

Cause of lung cancer from indoor air pollution

Radon exposure.

Stratospheric ozone good or bad

Good; it protects against harmful UV radiation.

Tropospheric ozone good or bad

Bad; it acts as a pollutant.

Substances that destroy ozone

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Regions experiencing most deaths from indoor air pollutants

Developing countries.

Acid decomposition effects on metals and biodiversity

Increases mobilization of toxic metals and decreases biodiversity.

Thermal inversion explained

Warm air traps cooler air near the ground surface.

Act decreasing acid deposition

The Clean Air Act.

Substances removed by catalytic converters

NOx and CO.

Method to remove SO2 from industrial plants

Wet scrubbing.

How wet scrubbers work

Use liquid to absorb and remove pollutants from gases.

True or False: Indoor air pollution causes more deaths than outdoor air pollution

True.

True or False: Indoor air pollution only affects developing countries

False.

True or False: Indoor air pollution includes CO

True.

True or False: Indoor air pollution primarily causes respiratory problems

True.

Major source of indoor air pollution in developing countries

Biomass burning.

Solution to pollution

Reduce emissions.

Regulation requiring vehicle fuel efficiency improvements

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

Regulation monitoring emissions and taxing companies

Cap-and-trade system.

Regulation allowing emissions credit purchasing

Cap-and-trade system.

Material used to reduce acid from coal plants

Crushed limestone.

Effect of fluidized bed combustion on SO2 and coal combustion

Increases efficiency and lowers emissions.

Comparison of dry scrubbers and wet scrubbers

Dry scrubbers use solid absorbents; wet scrubbers use liquid absorbents.

Ways to reduce particulate matter in the atmosphere

Improving vehicle emissions standards and using cleaner fuels.

Requirement in vehicles after 1975 for emissions control

Catalytic converters.

Definition of primary pollutants

Pollutants directly emitted from a source.

Definition of secondary pollutants

Pollutants formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

Primary pollutants example

NOx and SOx as primary pollutants.

Secondary pollutants example

Nitric acid and sulfuric acid as secondary pollutants.

Reaction forming acid rain from NOx

NOx reacts with water and oxygen to form nitric acid.

Reaction forming acid rain from SO2

SO2 reacts with water and oxygen to form sulfuric acid.

Neutralization of acids in ecosystems

Calcium carbonate reduces soil and water acidity.

Reaction of calcium with hydrogen ions

Calcium reacts with H+ to form HCO3 and CO3.

Effects of noise pollution on wildlife

Disturbance of communication in terrestrial wildlife; stress in aquatic wildlife.