Air Pollutants; Their sources and effects Flashcards
Properties of CO
Colourless and odourless
Sources of Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels due to insufficient amount of oxygen.
Harmful effects of carbon monoxide (CO)
- CO binds irreversibly with (red blood cells) haemoglobin to form stable carboxyhaemoglobin. This reduces the ability of haemoglobin to carry oxygen to the rest of the body.
- Headaches, fatigues, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and even death.
Properties of NOx
NO - Colourless and Odourless gas
NO2 - Red-Brown, pungent gas
Sources of Nitrogen Oxides
- Vehicle combustion engines (At high temperatures, nitrogen and oxygen in the air combine to form nitric oxide)(NO)
(N2(g) + O2(g) –> 2NO(g) - Nitric oxide is oxidised further by oxygen in the air to form a brown gas, nitrogen dioxide.
2NO(g) + O2(g) –> 2NO2(g) - Lightning activity (heat released enables the reaction between N2 and O2 to take place)
Harmful effects of NOx
- Causes breathing difficulties
- Formation of acid rain through reaction with oxygen and water
- Causes plant damage
- Kills marine lives
- Promotes corrosion of building made of limestone particularly.
Properties of Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Colourless, pungent gas
Sources of Sulfur Dioxide, SO2
- Combustion of Fossil Fuels
S(s) + O2(g) –> SO2(g) - Volcanic Eruptions
Harmful effects of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
- Causes breathing difficulties
- Formation of acid rain through reaction with oxygen and water
- Causes plant damage
- Kills marine lives
- Promotes corrosion of building made of limestone particularly.
Properties of Methane (CH4)
Colourless, pungent gas that is highly flammable.
Sources of Methane (CH4)
- Anaerobic bacterial decay of organic substances
*Waste gases from cattle
Harmful effects of methane
Major greenhouse gas that lads to global warming
Properties of unburnt hydrocarbons
Colourless, Odourless gas
Sources of unburnt hydrocarbons
- Vehicles combustion engines
- Lightning activity
Harmful effects of unburnt hydrocarbons
- Eye and respiratory tract irritation leading to breathing difficulties
- React with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form photochemical smog (brown haze consisting of O3, SO2, NO2)