Air pollution Flashcards
to pass Ap exam ; )
primary air pollutant
pollutants emitted directly into the atmosphere from various sources
secondary air pollutant
formed when other primary air pollutants reacts with one another in the atmosphere
examples of primary air pollutant
- carbon monoxide(CO)
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- suspended particulate matter(SPM)
- PM-2.5
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Pm-10
- Carbon dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide(SO2)
examples of secondary air pollutant
- sulfuric acid(H2SO4)
- Ozone
- sulfate salts(SO42-)
- Peroxyacyl Notrates PAN
- Nitric acid(HNO3)
- Nitrate salts(NO3-)
photochemical smog
brown smog
nitrogen based
acid deposition-causes and effects
any rain snow, dust or gas with a ph less than 5.6
heat islands and example
condition caused because metropolitan areas have different surfaces which absorb and stir heat differently than natural environments do
temperature inversions
a condition in which the temperature of the atmosphere increases with altitude in contrast to the normal decreases with altitude
Noise pollution
unwanted human created sound
clean air act
law passed to reduce emissions of CO, NOx, and Sox
Kyoto protocol
agreement to reduce greenhouse gases
water pollution sources
cultural eutrophication
wet scrubber
use fine mists to trap particulate matter before they are emitted from s make stacks
Montreal Protocol
system in lace that allows companies to sell of extra pollution credits of they emit less than their designated quota
why are lichen useful in environmental studies?
they’re indicator of air pollution
they can be used to identify the source of air pollution
examples of VOCs
aerosols
paints
asbestos
dry cleaning fluids
Examples of SPM
smoke, dust, diesel soot, and asbestos
wet scrubbers are best at removing which kinds of air pollutants?
SOx
electrolytic precipitators are best at removing which kind of air pollutant?
SPM
electrolytic precipitators are best at removing which kind of air pollutant?
SPM
chemical reactions that form suffer-based and nitrogen based acid rain
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain
acid deposition
Sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide emissions react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acids that return to the surface as either dry or wet deposition.
reducing and controlling acid deposition
basic concept of acid deposition control is straightforward: Reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides curbs acid deposition. if sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are not released into the atmosphere, they cannot come down as acid deposition. Installation of scrubbers in the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants and use of clean-coal technologies to burn coal without excessive emissions effectively diminish acid deposition In turn, a decrease in acid deposition prevents surface waters and soil from becoming more acidic than they already are.
primary reason for the slow recovery is probably that the past 30 or more years of acid rain have profoundly altered soil chemistry in many areas.
Nitrogen oxide emissions are harder to control than sulfur dioxide emissions because motor vehicles produce a substantial portion of nitrogen oxides. Engine improvements may reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, but as the population continues to grow, the engineering gains may be offset by an increase in the number of motor vehicles. Dramatic cuts in nitrogen oxide emissions will require a reduction in high-temperature energy generation, especially in gasoline and diesel engines.
how the ozone os formed
is produced naturally in the stratosphere when highly energetic solar radiation strikes molecules of oxygen, O2, and cause the two oxygen atoms to split apart in a process called photolysis. If a freed atom collides with another O2, it joins up, forming ozone O3.
how the ozone os formed
is produced naturally in the stratosphere when highly energetic solar radiation strikes molecules of oxygen, O2, and cause the two oxygen atoms to split apart in a process called photolysis. If a freed atom collides with another O2, it joins up, forming ozone O3.
how humans create 03
when ultraviolet light from the sun splits an oxygen molecule (O2), forming two single oxygen atoms. If a freed atom collides with an oxogen molecule, it becomes ozone.
how smog is produced
NOx, VOCs and intense UV light come into contact, a chemical reaction takes place. Ozone and particles of solids & liquids are formed producing smog
how smog is produced
NOx, VOCs and intense UV light come into contact, a chemical reaction takes place. Ozone and particles of solids & liquids are formed producing smog
Why were CFC’s created, how do they react with stratospheric ozone, and how long do CFC’s last?
CFCs and other chlorine-containing compounds released at ground level slowly drift up to the stratosphere, where UV radiation breaks them down, releasing chlorine.
The cold air causes polar stratospheric clouds to form; these clouds contain ice crystals to which chlorine and bromine adhere, making them available to destroy ozone. The sunlight catalyzes the chemical reaction in which chlorine or bromine breaks ozone molecules apart, converting them into oxygen molecules. The chemical reaction that destroys ozone does not alter the chlorine or bromine, and one chlorine or bromine atom can break down many thousands of ozone molecules. The chlorine and bromine remain in the stratosphere for many years.
point source of water pollution
water pollution that comes from a specific, identifiable source, such as a drainage pipe
thermal water pollution
altering the heat content of water
water pollution
any chemical, biological, or physical change in water quality that has a harmful effect of living organisms or makes the water unsuitable for human use
suspended matter
water pollution that is too large or cannot be dissolved
TDS
water quality test that measures the amount of chemicals that are mixed in the water sample
BOD
water quality test that measures the amount of decompress present in the water by seeing how much oxygen gets used up over a period of a few days
BOD
water quality test that measures the amount of decompress present in the water by seeing how much oxygen gets used up over a period of a few days
coliform
water quality test that measures the concentration of fecal bacteria that are found in the water sample
HAB
explosive growth of algae as a result of sewage and agricultural runoff into a body of water
oxygen sag curve
graph that demonstrates the effect of adding pollutants on the presence of oxygen in the water
cultural eutrophication
rapid acceleration of the nutrient build up process as a result of human activities
deep well injection
water disposal method in which pollutants are placed into holding containers located far underneath the surface
disinfection
water treatment method that uses chlorine or UV radiation to kill biological contaminants in water
ion change
water treatment method that uses charged particles to remove charged contaminants
ion change
water treatment method that uses charged particles to remove charged contamitants
adsorption
water treatment method that uses charcoal filter to cause contaminants to stick to the surface of the filter, thus removing them from the water
steam flushing
water treatment method that uses build water to help volatilize certain contaminants, thereby transferring them to a gaseous state and removing them from the water
constructed wetlands
water treatment method that uses the nutrient cycling of an ecosystem to help remove contaminants*especially nitrates and phosphates in water)
fluid vapor extraction
water treatment method that uses moving air to help volatilize certain contaminants, thereby transferring them to a gaseous state and removing them from the water
aeration
water treatment method that uses large am aunt son oxygen to speed up the rate of decomposition by bacteria in a water sample
UV oxidation
using natural sunlight as a way of killing biological contaminants in the water
filtration
using sieves or other strainers to remove soil particles or dissolved materials
bioremediation
using living organisms(such as bacteria) to decompose contaminants (especially phosphates and nitrates) present in water
primary sewage treatment
filters out larger or undissolved contaminants from water
sludge
what’s filtered out of contaminated water and is usually buried as a disposal method
septic system
a common water treatment option for people living in rural areas or off the grid
clean water act
U.S law established water quality standards and regulates discharge of pollutants into U.S waterways
safe Drinking water act
U.S law established standards fro water purity
treated source of non-point pollution in developed countries
agricultural runoff
primary way many waterborne pathogens end up into water
untreated human waste
process of cultural eutrophication
1-excess nutrients(such as nitrate and phosphates) runoff into waterways 2-rapid growth of algae 3-algae die off 4-increased growth of decomposers 5-many aquatic species die off
open dumping
method of disposal that entail tasking wastes to designated areas and leaving the waste on top of soil
ocean dumping
method of waste disposal that entails taking water offshore and leaving the waste in the water
landfilling
a method of waste disposal that entails compacting the waste and then covering it with layers of soil
composting
using waste to create soil additive
waste to energy incinerator
using the energy released during burning to form electricity
remanufacturing
restoring worn out products to like new condition
detoxifying
removing contaminants before contenting on with waste disposal
exporting
shipping solid water impoverished countries and letting them deal with all of the health hazards
law mad in result of love canal
CERCLA
reason why rich people don’t live near landfills or airports
NIMBY
gov’t agency that ensures the safe transport of toxic substances in the U.S
HAZMAT
waste pile
storing toxic wastes in drums,, vaults or above ground buildings the and be inspected and corrected
e-waste
waste from computers and cell phones
plasma torch
passing an electrical current through to create an electric arc
integrated waste management
focus to reduce generation of waste, recycle, and reuse, and dispose of wastes responsibly
surface impoundment
pond, pit, or lagoon that stores hazardous wastes
love canal prompted the promotion of which landmark piece of legislation?
Comprehension Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)
primary way the U.S disposes of solid wastes
landfilling
