6

Question 1

Composition of the Atmosphere

Answer 1

Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
CO2, Ar, H2O(g), O3 - 1%

Question 2

Stratosphere

Answer 2

10-50km

Question 3

Troposphere

Answer 3

less than 10km

Question 4

Greenhouse Effect

Answer 4

GHG present in the atmosphere, reflect/trap/absorb/scatters radiation leaving the planet’s surface back towards it/not out to space. This keeps energy near the surface of the Earth which helps to maintain the temperature.

Question 5

Ozone

Answer 5

O3 molecules. Stratospheric ozone blocks incoming UV radiation.

Question 6

Ozone Layer

Answer 6

In the stratosphere. Dynamic equilibrium as ozone is made from o atoms then turns into o atoms, when UV radiation is absorbed. Ozone layer absorbs 99% of UV-C radiation (most damaging as highest energy).

Question 7

Effects of UV Radiation Cons

Answer 7

Genetic mutation
Damage to living tissue
Cataract formation in eyes
Skin cancers
Suppression of the immune system
damage to photosynthetic organisms (phytoplankton)
Damage consumers of ^^^, zooplankton

Question 8

Effects of UV Radiation Pros

Answer 8

UV radiation stimulates production of Vitamin D, (rickets from deficiency)
steriliser, kills bacteria, air and water purifier
industrial use - lasers, viewing old scripts, forensic analysis, lighting

Question 9

Ozone Hole

Answer 9

Above Antartica due to wind and Earth’s rotation

Question 10

ODS

Answer 10

CFCs, HCFCs, Halons, Methyl Bromide, Nitrogen Oxides
Propellants in aerosols, pesticides, flame retardants, refrigerants.

Question 11

Significance of Montreal Protocol

Answer 11

Best example of international cooperation on env. issue
Example of precautionary principle in science-based decision making
Many experts researching common thing
First to recognise countries could phase out at different times
First where regulations were carefully monitored

Question 12

Primary Pollutants

Answer 12

Emitted directly from a process. Natural (volcano) or Anthropogenic (FF).
Combustion of FF;
CO
CO2
HCO unburned
NOx’s
SO4
Particulate matter

Question 13

Secondary Pollutants

Answer 13

When PP undergo reactions with other chemicals. Maybe be a photochemical reaction in the presence of sunlight.
Tropospheric Ozone
Particulates
PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate)

Question 14

Tropospheric Ozone

Answer 14

10% of all ozone.
Global warming potential 2000 times CO2

Question 15

Formation of Tropospheric Ozone

Answer 15

Combustion of FF
nitric oxide + oxygen - nitrogen dioxide - (w sunlight) nitric oxide and oxygen atom + oxygen molecule - ozone

Question 16

Effects of Tropospheric Ozone

Answer 16

Oxidising agent
toxic
damages plants by degrading chlorophyll
damage to humans (breathing difficulties, more susceptible to infection, Eye, nose, throat irritation.

Question 17

Particulates

Answer 17

Burning organic material makes the,.
Respiratory filters can not filter them out (cancer, asthma, death)
Carcinogenic
Leaves covered, less productivity as less sunlight hitting leaves.

Question 18

Photochemical Smog

Answer 18

NO2 and O3, peak just after noon. LA-type smog. Local topography, climate, population density, fossil fuel use affect occurrence.

Question 19

Thermal Inversion

Answer 19

When warm air traps cool air. This can trap smog.

Question 20

Weather and Photochemical Smog

Answer 20

Peak when hot and no wind.

Question 21

Acid Deposition

Answer 21

Acid coming down from the air.
Wet - Rain or Snow
Dry - Ash/dry things

Question 22

Sources of Acid Deposition

Answer 22

Volcanic Eruptions - SO2
Lightning - NOx’s
FF - SO2 from sulphur containing coal
- NOx’s from high heat, O and N in air react.

These form secondary pollutants (+ water or oxygen) which are very soluble in water.

Question 23

Acid Deposition and Coniferous Forests

Answer 23

Loss of chlorophyl - yellowing.
Lesions on leaves -wax cuticles thin
Reduce growth, allowing nutrients to be leached out and washed away.
Pathogens and insects can then gain entry.
Root microbes killed, reducing availability of nutrients, less growth.
Soils cannot as easily hold nutrients.
Aluminium ions from soils damage roots.
Trees weaken and may die.

Question 24

Acid Deposition and Water Systems

Answer 24

Increased acidity of soil makes aluminium more soluble so it washes out into waterways. Aluminium inhibits fishes ability to regulate oxygen and salt content, lose salt. Solid can form on gills leading to suffocation. Low then high concentrations respectively.

Question 25

Acid Deposition and Lichens

Answer 25

Lichens are indicator species. Few species can survive near emission point. As you move away, more species can survive/are present.

Question 26

Acid Deposition and Soil

Answer 26

Reduces ability to hold nutrients which are washed out.
Nitrogen fixing bacteria are inhibited.

Question 27

Acid Deposition and Buildings

Answer 27

Limestone dissolves.

Question 28

Acid Deposition and Peat Bogs

Answer 28

produce 40% less methane as bacteria that eat sulphates outcompete bacteria that produce methane.

Question 29

Acid Deposition and Human Health

Answer 29

Dry deposition causes lung diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. Premature deaths may result.

Question 30

Regional Effect of Acid Deposition

Answer 30

Dry deposition occurs close to emission point.
Wet deposition occurs further away.
Areas downwind are most affected.

Question 31

How to Reduce Effects of Acid Deposition

Answer 31

Liming Lakes.
Reducing Emissions.
Pre-combustion Techniques.
End of Pipe Measures.

Question 32

Liming Lakes

Answer 32

1950s, many Scandinavian lakes faced loss of species due to increased acidity.
1990, 400 lakes were lifeless.
80’s Sweden added limestone powder to lakes and rivers.
pH dropped but then rose quickly, treats symptoms not cause.
Biodiversity was not restored quickly.
Unbalanced nutrient levels (only calcium)

Question 33

Reducing Emissions

Answer 33

Reduce combustion of FF reduced emission of SO2 and NOx’s.
Through; reducing need for electricity, need for cars, or switching to renewable energy.

Question 34

Pre-combustion Techniques

Answer 34

Remove sulphur from fuel.
Use it for; chemical industry, gypsum for construction, SO2 for sulphuric acid.

Question 35

End of pipe Measures

Answer 35

Removes SO2 and NOx’s from waste gases.
Waste gas scrubbers in electricity plants. - SO2
Catalytic converter. - NOx’s

Question 36

Incoming Solar Radiation

Answer 36

UV, Infrared and Visible.
Infrared absorbed by the atmosphere.
UV absorbed by Ozone.

Question 37

GHG Examples

Answer 37

CO2, CH4, Water Vapour

Question 38

Kigali

Answer 38

2019, Phase out HFCs from 2019.