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AP Environmental Science > AIR POLLUTION (2) : AP Environmental Exam - Studying > Flashcards

AIR POLLUTION (2) : AP Environmental Exam - Studying Flashcards

1
Q

Indoor air pollution is more severe and deadly than…

A

outdoor air pollution

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2
Q

Indoor air pollution occurs more frequently in….

A

rural areas, as indoor burning is common

Modern buildings, however, can still suffer from indoor air pollution

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3
Q

Primary Pollutant

A

Pollutants being DISCHARGED INTO the troposphere

ex:
CO2 - carbon dioxide

NOx - collective term for nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2)

SO2 - sulfur dioxide

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4
Q

NOx

A

collective term for nitrogen oxides (includes NO and NO2)

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5
Q

SO2

A

sulfur dioxide

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6
Q

CO2

A

carbon dioxide

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7
Q

Secondary Pollutant

A

Pollutant formed from a reaction between primary Pollutant and other chemicals

Ex:
SO3

H2SO4

O3

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8
Q

SO3

A

Sulfur Trioxide

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9
Q

H2SO4

A

Sulphric acid

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10
Q

O3

A

Ozone

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11
Q

Thermal Inversion

A

the lack of mixing/convection due to density difference
(warm, lower density air already positioned on top)

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12
Q

Ozone

A

Stratospheric ozone is good. It helps block harmful UV and UVB from the sun. Tropospheric ozone is bad. It’s an irritant

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13
Q

Five main greenhouse gases

A

carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor

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14
Q

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

colorless and odorless

GREENHOUSE GAS

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15
Q

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

HIGHLY TOXIC, colorless and odorless

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16
Q

Nitric Oxide (NO)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

Colorless and odorless

precursor of tropospheric ozone

17
Q

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

BROWN fume

18
Q

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

precursor to sulfuric acid (acid rain)

19
Q

Particulate Matter (PM)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

Two major classes: PM2.5 + PM10

FINE PARTICLES

20
Q

Aerosols

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

Chemical similar to PM in size

e.g. Ammonium Nitrate (NH4NO3)

21
Q

Mercury (Hg)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

discharged from coal burning

exists in the form of CH3Hg

22
Q

Lead (Pb)

(Primary Outdoor Pollutants from Fossil Fuels)

A

formerly a major Pollutant from gasoline combustion

23
Q

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

(Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)

A

colorless and odorless - usually from cooking

24
Q

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

(Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)

A

HIGHLY TOXIC

formed when burning w/out sufficient oxygen

25
Q

Radon-222

(Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)

A

decay product from Uranium-238

26
Q

Asbestos

(Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)

A

formerly used for insulation and fire prevention

fine and abrasive particles

CANCER CAUSING!!

27
Q

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

(Primary Indoor Air Pollutants)

A

includes methane, gas emissions, etc

28
Q

Primary Outdoor Air Pollutants from Fossil Fuels

A

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Nitric Oxide (NO)

Nitrogen Oxide (NO2)

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Particulate Matter (PM)

Aerosols

Mercury (Hg)

Lead (Pb)

29
Q

Primary Indoor Air Pollutants

A

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (from cooking)

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Formaldehyde

Radon-222

Asbestos

Particulates - (dust, pollens, mites)

Cigarette Smoke

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

30
Q

Clean Air Act

A

is a comprehensive Federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions

The Clean Air Act is the United States’ primary federal air quality law, intended to reduce and control air pollution nationwide. Initially enacted in 1963 and amended many times since, it is one of the United States’ first and most influential modern environmental laws

31
Q

Photochemical Smog formation

A

when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react to sunlight

32
Q

Formation of Tropospheric Ozone (O3) + photochemical smog

A

NO (nitric oxide) + O2 (oxygen) –> NO2 (nitrogen dioxide)

NO2 + UV –> NO + O

O + O2 –> O3

33
Q

Formation of Sulfric Acid (H2SO4)

A

SO2 (sulfur dioxide) + O2 –> SO3 (Sulfur Trioxide)

SO3 + H2O –> H2SO4

34
Q

Formation of Nitric Acid (HNO3)

A

NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) + H2O –> HNO3

35
Q

Solutions to Photochemical Smog by Vehicles (think Ozone and NOx)

A

Use public transportation

Drive hybrid/electric cars

Bike/Walk/Carpool

Drive more fuel efficient cars

36
Q

Solutions to Industrial Smog by Coal Power Plant (think SO2, Hg, Pb, and soot)

A

Use renewable energy

Adopt clean coal technology

Use More efficient appliances

37
Q

Clean Coal Tech

A

Electrostatic Precipitator

Wet Scrubber

38
Q

Clean Car Exhaust

A

Catalytic Converter

AP Environmental Science (10 decks)

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