Air Pollutants; Their sources and effects Flashcards

1
Q

Properties of CO

A

Colourless and odourless

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2
Q

Sources of Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A

Incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels due to insufficient amount of oxygen.

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3
Q

Harmful effects of carbon monoxide (CO)

A
  • 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.
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4
Q

Properties of NOx

A

NO - Colourless and Odourless gas

NO2 - Red-Brown, pungent gas

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5
Q

Sources of Nitrogen Oxides

A
  • 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)
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6
Q

Harmful effects of NOx

A
  • 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.
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7
Q

Properties of Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

A

Colourless, pungent gas

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8
Q

Sources of Sulfur Dioxide, SO2

A
  • Combustion of Fossil Fuels
    S(s) + O2(g) –> SO2(g)
  • Volcanic Eruptions
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9
Q

Harmful effects of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

A
  • 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.
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10
Q

Properties of Methane (CH4)

A

Colourless, pungent gas that is highly flammable.

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11
Q

Sources of Methane (CH4)

A
  • Anaerobic bacterial decay of organic substances
    *Waste gases from cattle
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12
Q

Harmful effects of methane

A

Major greenhouse gas that lads to global warming

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13
Q

Properties of unburnt hydrocarbons

A

Colourless, Odourless gas

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14
Q

Sources of unburnt hydrocarbons

A
  • Vehicles combustion engines
  • Lightning activity
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15
Q

Harmful effects of unburnt hydrocarbons

A
  • 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)
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16
Q

Properties of Ozone (O3)

A

pale blue, pungent gas

17
Q

Sources of Ozone

A
  • Lightning activity
  • Upper atmosphere: reactions between oxygen molecules in the presence of sunlight
  • Lower atmosphere: reactions between unburnt hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight.
18
Q

Harmful effects of ozone

A
  • Eye and respiratory tract irritation leading to breathing difficulties
  • Chest pains, headaches
    *Slows down photosynthesis in plants –> Damages crops
19
Q

Colourless and odourless

A

Properties of CO, NO, Unburnt hydrocarbons

20
Q
  • 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.
A

Harmful effects of carbon monoxide (CO)

21
Q

NO2 - Red-Brown, pungent gas

A

Properties of NO2

22
Q
  • 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.
A

Harmful effects of NOx

23
Q
  • 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.
A

Harmful effects of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

24
Q

Colourless, pungent gas that is highly flammable.

A

Properties of Methane (CH4)

25
Q

Major greenhouse gas that lads to global warming

A

Harmful effects of methane

26
Q
  • 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)
A

Harmful effects of unburnt hydrocarbons

27
Q

pale blue, pungent gas

A

Properties of Ozone (O3)

28
Q
  • Eye and respiratory tract irritation leading to breathing difficulties
  • Chest pains, headaches
    *Slows down photosynthesis in plants –> Damages crops
A

Harmful effects of ozone

29
Q

Colourless, pungent gas

A

Properties of Sulfur dioxide (SO2)