Air

Question 1

What is the composition of air?

Answer 1

78% Nitrogen
21% Oxygen
1% Noble gasses (Mostly argon)

Question 2

What are common atmospheric pollutants

Answer 2

-Carbon Monoxide/Dioxide (CO/CO2)
-Nitrogen Monoxide/Dioxide (NO/NO2)
-Ozone (O3)
-Sulfur Dioxide (S02)
-Unburnt Hydrocarbons
-Methane (CH4)

Question 3

Where are some sources of methane in nature?

Answer 3

-Waste gas from cattle
-Leaking of methane reservoirs under the arctic tundra
-Melting of oceanic methane ice
-Anaerobic decomposition of organic substances

Question 4

What are harmful effects of CO?

Answer 4

Humans: Binds to haemoglobin in blood, preventing flow of oxygen, leads to breathing difficulties

Environment: CO can further oxidise to form CO2 which causes global warming

Question 5

What are harmful effects of NO?

Answer 5

NO can further oxidise to form NO2 which causes acid rain and corrode limestone buildings/kill aquatic life