blend study guide

based on mr. brockhoff's study guide

coal combustion pollutants

SO2, NOx, PM

combustion → NOx ?

high temp cause N2 react w O2 → NOx

NOx → secondary pollutants ?

O3 + PM ——> respiratory issues, vegetation, acid rain

clean air act

air quality standards + regulation of emissions (eg fuels)

reduced SO2 + NOx from power plants & vehicles, acid rain, cleaner fuel standards

primary & secondary pollutants

primary: CO and SO2

secondary: O3 and PM

formation of photochemical smog

sunlight + NOx or VOCs → O3

effects of photochemical smog

respiratory issues (asthma), eye irritation, lungs

harm vegetation, reduce crop yields, degradation of ecosystems

VOC

carbon-based compounds, evaporative at room temp

plants & trees emit isoprene (heat stress) + terpene (pine)

factory production of plastics + fuels, vehicle emissions, paints, cleaning products

how to reduce photochemical smog

emissions regulations, public transportation, cleaner fuels, green spaces in urban areas

how does thermal inversion happen

warm air traps cool air near ground when ground cools at night or when warm air moves over cooler surface

thermal inversion & pollution

increased ground level air pollution by trapping cooler air and pollutants near surface, prevent vertical mixing of air

sources of atmospheric CO2

burning of fossil fuels (eg coal, oil, natural gas)

respiration from plants/animals, volcano eruptions, decomposition

sources of PM

vehicle emissions, industrial processes, construction, fossil fuel burning, ag (tilling + burning crop residues), wildfires, volcanic eruptions

carbon monoxide

incomplete combustion in vehicles, industrial processes, heating.

headaches, dizziness, confusion, fatal asphyxiant

effects of pm

respiratory issues (asthma, bronchitis), cardiovascular diseases, decreased lung function, lung cancer

radon

decay of uranium, accumulates in basements, carcinogen (lung cancer)

combustion

for cooking, heating, lighting

produces CO, PM, VOCs

developing countries w solid fuels (wood, coal) or lack of ventilation

sick building syndrome (sources + symptoms)

VOC: paints, solvents, cleaners

PM: tobacco smoke, indoor combustion (gas stoves)

respiratory problems, headaches, irritation of eyes, nose, throat

reduce air pollutants policies

cap and trade: buy & sell pollution allowances, limit total emissions

corporate average fuel economy: standards that meet fuel efficiency requirements for vehicles

industrial practices lower air pollutants

scrubbers, filters, catalytic converters, minimize waste

vapor recovery nozzle

fuel nozzle that captures fuel vapors with VOCs in gasoline, preventing ozone formation + photochemical smog

catalytic converter

transforms CO, NOx, hydrocarbons into CO2 and N2 in cars

wet and dry scrubbers

liquid removes pollutants from industrial exhaust gases

dry reagents & sorbents capture pollutants

power plants, chemical manufacturing, oil refineries

reduce SO2, PM

sources of acid rain

SO2 & NOx

volcanic eruptions and wildfires; combustion of fossil fuels in power plants, vehicles, industrial processes

sources of NOx and SO2

NOx: vehicle emissions, industrial processes, power plants burning fossil fuels, heating

SO2: combustion of fossil fuels (coal + oil) in power plants & industrial facilities

acid rain effects

aquatic ecosystems —> lower pH…. harm fish 🐟

forests —> leaching nutrients, trees weak to disease + weather

reduced ag productivity, damage to infrastructure (corrosion)

limestone can buffer + neutralize, but poor soil composition or sensitive ecosystems? cooked.

noise pollution effects 🦻🏼

disruption of wildlife communication & mating behaviors, stress responses, habitat degradation

sleep disturbances, stress levels, anxiety, cardiovascular problems, hearing loss

noise pollution sources

traffic (vehicles + airplanes), construction, loud music, vacuum cleaners + lawn mowers, industrial operations 🏢