acid rain

Question 1

what are the major ions in rain

Answer 1

SO4 2- and NO3- and NH4+ and H+

Question 2

how does SO2 and NOx produce acid rain

Answer 2

why dissolve in water to procude thier H2X counterparts, to which dissocated into HX and H+ component. the loose H+ contribute to the acidification of water. NOte that the Hx molecule is rapidly oxides during this process too

Question 3

what are the impacts of acid rain

Answer 3

mobilization of toxic metals which can ahrm forests and crops
dissolve stone and staues made of softer minerals (like lime stone)
can lead to the acidification of large water bodies

Question 4

what is acid rain

Answer 4

precidipation with a pH less than 5

Question 5

aersol

Answer 5

collection of particles suspended in air (solid or liquid)

they are small in size (may not settle) and have a long residence time)

Question 6

PM 2.5 and PM 10

Answer 6

2.5= particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micro meters . these are respriable particles and entre the deep lunchs
10= PM with a d smaller than 10 micro meters. these arejsut inhalable particles

Question 7

primary vs secondary aresols

Answer 7

primary: direct release into the atmos via combustion
-dust and combustion products
secondary: made via reactions between primary
-inorg ammonium sulfate or nitrate

Question 8

what are the major formation pathways of primary aerosols

Answer 8

acid base nutrilization reaction:

NH3 + H2X–> NH4X for SO4
NH3 + HX –NH$X for NO3

Question 9

what are the major formation pathways of secondary aerosols

Question 10

a source for NH3

Answer 10

agriculture/ emmisions

Question 11

a source for H2SO4

Answer 11

dimethyl sulfide emissions or from sulfur containing fuel

Question 12

a source for HNO3

Answer 12

NOx converted to HNO3 bu OH radicals (with the intro of VOC)

Question 13

how do aerosols affect humans

Answer 13

reduced visibility
can alter the Earth’s energy budget by redirecting sunlight back into space
catalyze O3 depletion reactions (they are the polar stratospheric clouds)

poor air quality can lead to lung cancer
heart issues
COPD- chronic broncitis

Question 14

why are smaller particles such a larger health concern

Answer 14

they can cause damage to the alveoli
may lead to cancer

Question 15

what is the GHG effect

Answer 15

the interception of outgoing radiative heat on the surface of the earth. this is bc GHG absorbs IR radiation.

Question 16

radiative forcing

Answer 16

change in the energy flux in the atmosphere due to the altered composition or increased abundance of atmospheric compounds

Question 17

global warming potential

Answer 17

the amount of radiation 1 tonne of gas will absorbs over a certain amount of time, relative to 1 tonne of co2

Question 18

list GHG

Answer 18

CO2 most abundant
CH4
N2O
SF6 most potential (but very very very small amount)

Question 19

what is the most important GHGH and why

Answer 19

CO2. this is because it does not condense of fluctuate depending on atmospheric conditions. this GHG is important bc without it earth would be -18C.

Question 20

what is the role of H2o has a GHGH

Answer 20

it is constantly changing depending on the temp (my evaporate or condensate). though the water vapor also contributes to warming. this is bc is can absorb the IR radiation, forming a pos feedback loop.

note: humans don’t affect water abundance