AIR POLLUTION Flashcards
WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ?
Environmental pollution can, therefore be defined as any undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characterises of any component of the environment (air, water, soil) which can cause harmful effects on various forms of life or property.
what are pollutants
substance causing the pollution
DEFINITION OF AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is an atmospheric condition in which certain substances (including the normal constituents in excess) are present in concentrations which can cause undesirable effects on man and his environment.
WHAT ARE VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF AIR POLLUTION
1)Gaseous pollutants: include oxides of sulphur (mostly SO2, SO3), oxides of nitrogen (mostly NO and NO2 and NOx), carbon monoxide (CO),volatile organic compounds (mostly hydrocarbons) etc.
2)Particulate pollutants: include smoke, dust, soot, fumes, aerosols, liquid droplets, pollen grains etc.
3)Radioactive pollutants: include radon-222, iodine-131, strontium-90, plutonium-239 etc
CLASSIFICATION OF AIR POLLUTANTS ON BASIS OF ORIGIN
(a) Primary Pollutants: These are emi ed directly from the point source (identifiable source) e.g., carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulphur (SOx), hydrocarbons, radioactive substances etc.
(b) Secondary Pollutants: These are formed by interaction of primary pollutant (s) with other primary pollutant (s) or with some natural constituents of atmosphere, e.g., ozone (O3), peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), photochemical smog etc.
LIST VARIOUS SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION (BOTH NATURAL AND MAN MADE)
NATURAL SOURCES: VOLCANIC ERUPTION, FOREST FIRE, BIOLOGICAL DECAY, EXTRA TERRITIAL BODIES, POLLEN GRAIN, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL PRESENT IN EARTH’S CRUST
MAN MADE SOURCES: FOSSIL FUEL BURNING, VEHICLE EMISSION, INDUSTRIAL WASTE, THERMAL POWER PLANT, AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
LIST VARIOUS MEASURES TO MINIMIZE AIR POLLUTION
*USING LOW SULPHUR COAL IN INDUSTRIES
*REMOVING SULPHUR FROM COAL(BY WASHING IT WITH BACTERIA)
*Removing NOx during the combusTIon process.
*USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
*INSTALLING CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN VEHICLES.
*PLANTING TREES
*Using biological filters and bio-scrubbers.
