Ap env sci unit 7

Scientific Experiments

• Modifications to experimental procedures can alter results.

Air Pollution

• Coal Combustion: Releases CO2, SO2, toxic metals, and particulates.
• Fossil Fuels: Emit nitrogen oxides, leading to ozone, smog, and acid rain.
• Clean Air Act Impact: Reduced lead emissions significantly.
• Primary vs. Secondary pollutants: Primary pollutants are directly emitted; secondary pollutants form through reactions in the atmosphere.

Photochemical Smog

• Formation: Occurs from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds reacting with sunlight.
• Health Effects: Causes respiratory problems and eye irritation.
• Urban Areas: Higher vehicle traffic and sunlight increase smog formation.

Thermal Inversion

• Definition: When cooler air traps pollution near the surface, preventing dispersion.
• Consequences: Poor air quality, increased respiratory issues, and reduced photosynthesis.

Indoor Air Pollutants

• Common Pollutants: CO (asphyxiant), asbestos, dust, radon, VOCs (from building materials).
• Health Risks: Can cause asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory issues.

Reduction of Air Pollutants

• Methods to Reduce Pollution: Regulatory practices, emissions controls (e.g., catalytic converters), and switching to renewable energy.
• Clean Air Act: Empowers EPA to regulate and monitor air pollutants.

Acid Rain

• Causes: NOx and SO2 emissions from power plants and vehicles.
• Effects: Acidifies soils and water bodies, harms wildlife, and destroys structures.
• Mitigation: Reducing NOx and SO2 emissions can limit acid deposition.

Noise Pollution

• Definition: Sound at levels causing stress and hearing loss.
• Sources: Traffic, construction, and industrial activities.
• Effects on Wildlife: Disrupts communication, mating, and navigation in species. It poses risks to survival and ecosystem balance.