Air Pollution & Global Warming

These flashcards cover key concepts related to air pollution and global warming from the lecture notes, including definitions of important terms and events.

Smog

A type of air pollution that is a mixture of smoke and fog, often caused by coal burning.

The Great Smog of London (1952)

A severe air pollution event that caused near 0% visibility and resulted in approximately 12,000 deaths.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

A toxic gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels and coal, contributing to acid rain.

Photochemical pollution

Air pollutants formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere, typically involving sunlight, such as ozone.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere; includes CO2, CH4, N2O, and fluorinated gases.

Acid rain

Rain that has been acidified by pollution, resulting in harmful effects on ecosystems.

Inversion layer

A layer of warm air trapping cold air and pollutants close to the ground, worsening air quality.

Climate Change

Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, primarily due to human activities and greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

A primary greenhouse gas that is a significant contributor to global warming and climate change.

Methane (CH4)

A potent greenhouse gas that is significantly stronger than CO2 and is released from agricultural practices and landfills.

The Keeling Curve

A graph that shows the increase of carbon dioxide concentration in the Earth's atmosphere over time.

Ozone (O3)

A gas that occurs both in the stratosphere, where it protects from UV radiation, and at ground level, where it is a harmful pollutant.

Air pollutants

Substances in the air that can cause harm to human health and the environment, including gases and particulate matter.

CO2 emissions

Carbon dioxide discharges resulting from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes, contributing to climate change.

Fossil fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of living organisms, including coal, oil, and natural gas, used primarily for energy production.

Greenhouse effect

The warming of Earth due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, trapping heat.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Gaseous pollutants produced during combustion processes that contribute to smog and acid rain.

Soot

Carbon particulate matter produced by combustion processes, known to carry toxic metals and be harmful to health.

Ozone hole

A region of depleted ozone in the stratosphere that has serious implications for UV radiation levels on Earth.

Global warming

The rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases.

Smog

A type of air pollution that is a mixture of smoke and fog, often caused by coal burning.

The Great Smog of London (1952)

A severe air pollution event that caused near 0% visibility and resulted in approximately 12,000 deaths.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

A toxic gas produced by the burning of fossil fuels and coal, contributing to acid rain.

Photochemical pollution

Air pollutants formed by chemical reactions in the atmosphere, typically involving sunlight, such as ozone.

Greenhouse gases (GHGs)

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere; includes CO2, CH4, N2O, and fluorinated gases.

Acid rain

Rain that has been acidified by pollution, resulting in harmful effects on ecosystems.

Inversion layer

A layer of warm air trapping cold air and pollutants close to the ground, worsening air quality.

Climate Change

Long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, primarily due to human activities and greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

A primary greenhouse gas that is a significant contributor to global warming and climate change.

Methane (CH4)

A potent greenhouse gas that is significantly stronger than CO2 and is released from agricultural practices and landfills.

The Keeling Curve

A graph that shows the increase of carbon dioxide concentration in the Earth's atmosphere over time.

Ozone (O3)

A gas that occurs both in the stratosphere, where it protects from UV radiation, and at ground level, where it is a harmful pollutant.

Air pollutants

Substances in the air that can cause harm to human health and the environment, including gases and particulate matter.

CO2 emissions

Carbon dioxide discharges resulting from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes, contributing to climate change.

Fossil fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of living organisms, including coal, oil, and natural gas, used primarily for energy production.

Greenhouse effect

The warming of Earth due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, trapping heat.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Gaseous pollutants produced during combustion processes that contribute to smog and acid rain.

Soot

Carbon particulate matter produced by combustion processes, known to carry toxic metals and be harmful to health.

Ozone hole

A region of depleted ozone in the stratosphere that has serious implications for UV radiation levels on Earth.

Global warming

The rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases.

Particulate Matter (PM)

A complex mixture of microscopic solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, contributing to respiratory issues and reduced visibility.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic chemical compounds that evaporate easily at room temperature, implicated in the formation of ground-level ozone and photochemical smog.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas resulting from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, which reduces the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Synthetic organic compounds, historically used in refrigerants and aerosols, that significantly deplete the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer.

Tropospheric Ozone

Ozone occurring at ground level, which is a harmful air pollutant formed by chemical reactions between sunlight and emissions from vehicles and industry.

Ocean Acidification

The ongoing decline in the pH of the Earth's oceans, primarily due to the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, threatening marine ecosystems.