4 - Air Pollution

Question 1

Main pollutants?

Answer 1

CO, NOX, SO2, O3 and aerosols

Question 2

How are pollutants measured?

Answer 2

Ground measurement stations, airplanes and satellites (TROPOMI)

Question 3

Normal modelling

Answer 3

calculating concentrations based on emissions

Question 4

Reverse modelling

Answer 4

Calculating emissions based on concentrations. Useful to see who is polluting the air

Question 5

What are models used for?

Answer 5

To extrapolate between data points, analyse pollution events and make predictions

Question 6

Effects of pollution?

Answer 6

photochemical smog, acid rain and ozone hole

Question 7

What are CFCs used for?

Answer 7

Refrigerants, propellants and solvents

Question 8

Why is it problematic if a city is in a valley?

Answer 8

Cool air will sink trapping pollutants in the valley e.g. Mexico City, Paris

Question 9

Impact of pollution?

Answer 9

7 million deaths (particles>household), aggravates other conditions, damage to plants/animals, ozone hole

Question 10

aerosols

Answer 10

liquid/solid particles suspended in air
e.g. sea salt, dust, pollen, industrial processes

Question 11

How do aerosols and radiation interact?

Answer 11

Scattering aerosols (cooling) and absorbing aerosols (net warming)

Question 12

How do radiation and aerosols interact?

Answer 12

scattering (cooling) and absorbing (net warming)

Question 13

Aerosols

Answer 13

liquid/particulate matter suspended in air
e.g. dust, pollen, industrial processes

Question 14

acid rain

Answer 14

regional problem, kills fish and washes out nutrients. reduction in emissions also will reduce aerosols

Question 15

ozone hole

Answer 15

depletion strongest over Antarctica in spring