2.2 - Monitoring Air Quality

Question 1

What is the composition of the air?

Answer 1

Composition of the Air:
78% nitrogen
21% oxygen
Less than 1% argon
0.03% carbon dioxide
Traces of hydrogen and neon

Question 2

What are the 2 ways in which air quality can be determined?

Answer 2

• By measuring the level of pollutants in the air (more accurate)
• By estimating the emissions from pollution sources.

Question 3

Describe sulphur dioxide as an air pollutant

Answer 3

• (SO2(g)) forms both smog and acid rain
• Affects the respiratory system, can irritate eyes
• Produced by the oil and gas industry, as well as burning fuels
• Industry uses devices called “scrubbers” to reduce SO2(g) emissions by

Question 4

Describe nitrogen oxides as air pollutants

Answer 4

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx(g)) forms both smog and acid rain
• Affect the respiratory system and the eyes
• Produced by industry, as well as combustion in vehicles
• NO2(g) is what gives smog it’s brownish colour

Question 5

Describe carbon monoxide as an air pollutant

Answer 5

• (CO(g)) is a colourless and odourless gas
• Produced by motor vehicles, burning wood, industry, cigarette smoking
• When inhaled, it takes the place of oxygen in the blood, causing illness or even death.
• Technologies have been developed to reduce the emissions of CO(g) from vehicles and industrial processes

Question 6

Describe ground level ozone as an air pollutant

Answer 6

• (O3(g)) is a colourless, odourless gas
• At ground-level, most O3(g) comes from combustion in vehicles and industry.
• It is most harmful to people with lung diseases or colds, as well as young children with developing lungs
• It can also negatively affect crops and deteriorate plastics