NRE3115-SP25-Lecture-5
Page 1: Introduction to Air Quality
Criteria Pollutants: Governing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQs).
Hazardous (Toxic) Air Pollutants: Differentiation from criteria pollutants.
Sources and Sinks of Criteria Pollutants: Focus on gas-phase pollutants.
Discussion: NRE3115 (Lecture 5) topics.
Page 2: Atmospheric Overview
Chemical Composition: Details on gases present in the atmosphere.
Temperature & Structure: Layering of the atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere, etc.).
Circulation & Stability: Atmospheric circulation patterns and stability.
Precipitation & Boundary Layer: Effects of turbulence on pollution dispersion and transport.
Pollutants: Distinction between natural and anthropogenic pollutants, primary vs. secondary pollutants.
Page 3: Summary on Atmosphere & Pollution
Aircraft Emissions: Overview of NO, black carbon, sulfate contributions.
Tropospheric Dynamics: Long-range transport of aerosols and gases.
Sources of Pollution: Fossil fuel burning, agriculture, and urban areas.
Chemical Transformations: Interactions between pollutants (natural and anthropogenic).
Page 4: Knowledge Assessment
Fugitive Pollutants: Definition and common occurrences.
Page 5: Types of Air Pollutants Based on Origin
Primary Pollutants: Direct emissions (e.g., CO, NOx, SOx, VOCs, PM).
Secondary Pollutants: Formed by reactions among primary pollutants (e.g., ground-level ozone).
Fugitive Pollutants: Emissions from non-point sources, characterized by leaks and unexpected releases.
Page 6: Regulatory and Toxicity-Based Pollutants
Common (Criteria) Pollutants: Set by NAAQS; include CO, SOx, NOx, particulate matter, ozone, and lead.
Toxic Pollutants: Known carcinogens or harmful to human health, with 188 recognized by EPA.
Page 7: Reviewing NAAQS for Criteria Pollutants
Review Process: Steps including planning, assessment, and regulatory decision-making.
Integrated Science Assessment (ISA): Comprehensive review of relevant science.
Risk/Exposure Assessment (REA): Quantitative pollution impact analysis.
Policy Assessment (PA): Evaluates alternative policy options before implementation.
Page 8: Toxic Pollutants Overview
Characteristics: Pollutants associated with serious health effects.
Examples: Benzene, methylene chloride, asbestos, mercury, and lead compounds.
Page 9: List of Hazardous Air Pollutants
Hazardous Pollutants: Examples of compounds damaging to health and environment (e.g., acetaldehyde, benzene).
Page 10: Sources and Sinks of Criteria Pollutants
Sources: Includes point, non-point, and fugitive emissions.
Sinks: Processes leading to the reduction of atmospheric pollutants.
Balance of Sources/Sinks: Determines atmospheric concentrations and air quality concerns.
Page 11: Origins of Air Pollution
Natural Sources: Lightning, volcanoes, wildfires, forests.
Anthropogenic Sources: Fertilizer, agriculture, transportation, and industry.
Page 12: Emission Sources Classification
Point & Non-Point Sources: Criteria for categorizing emissions.
Mobile & Stationary Emissions: Distinctions in how pollutants are emitted based on source type.
Page 13: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Overview
Properties: Colorless, odorless gas from incomplete combustion.
Primary Sources: Automobile emissions.
Health Risks: Particularly hazardous in enclosed spaces.
Page 14: Regional CO Emissions
Data Overview: Emission statistics from various Connecticut cities.
Source Sector Analysis: Breakdown of emissions by type and location.
Page 15: Sink Processes of CO
Transformation: Chemical conversion of CO to CO2.
Reactivity: Involvement of hydroxyl radicals in atmospheric reactions.
Page 16: Gas-Phase Pollutants
Sources of COx: Biological processes and combustion-related activities.
Trends: Historical and recent atmospheric concentrations of CO2.
Page 17: Class Discussion Topics
Natural & Anthropogenic Sinks: Explore processes in Connecticut that mitigate CO pollution.
Comparison of Counties: Analysis of urban vs. rural impacts on air quality.