Air Pollution Test Flashcards
What is the order of the layers of the atmosphere? (from closest to ground level)
Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
Where is the ozone layer located?
On the outside edge of the stratosphere
Troposphere
About 4-11 miles above sea level. This is where weather takes place. Gets colder as it moves closer as it gets higher
Stratosphere
About 11-30 miles above the earths surface. Contains the ozone layer. UV light is absorbed by the top of this layer. Gets warmer as it goes higher.
Mesosphere
Gets colder as it moves higher because the heat from the UV rays that were absorbed in the ozone layer.
Primary Pollutants and examples
Chemicals that are emitted directly into the from natural processes and human activities at concentrations high enough to cause harm. (CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, NO3, CH4 and most hydrocarbons)
Secondary pollutants and examples
Some primary pollutants react with one another and with natural components of air to form new harmful chemicals (SO3, HNO3, H2SO4, O3, H2O2, most NO3- and SO4- salts)
Name all the major air pollutants.
Carbon oxides, NOx, Sulfur oxides, particulates, ozone, lead, smog (NOSCLPS)
Carbon Oxides (source and health effects)
Colorless, odorless and highly toxic gas that forms in the burning of fossil fuels. Comes from car exhaust, burning of forests, smokestacks of fossil fuel burning factories and tobacco smoke. Health effects consist of the loss of transfer of oxygen to the blood, heart attacks and lung diseases. Said to be causing global warming and ozone formation.
Nitrogen Oxides (source and environmental effects)
Colorless gas that forms when nitrogen and oxygen gas react under high-combustion temperatures in automobile engines and coal burning factories. NO reacts to form NO2 which is a reddish-brownish gas. Can irritate eyes, nose and throat. Causes acid deposition and photochemical smog.
Sulfur Dioxides (source and environmental effects)
Colorless gas with an irritating odor. comes from combustion of sulfur-containing coal in power plants, oil refining and smelting. Can reduce visibility and cause breathing problems. Can be converted to aerosols, which has sulfuric acid. Can damage crops, trees, soil and lakes. They also corrode metal and stone.
Particulates (source and health effects)
SPM = suspended particle matter. Variety of solid particles and liquid droplets. Classified as PM-10 (fine) and PM-2.5 (ultra-fine). Comes from dust, wild fires and sea salt, Also coal burning power plants, motor vehicles and road construction. These particles can irritate the nose and throat, cause lung problems. They can also reduce visibility and corrode metals.
Ozone (Description, Major human sources, health effects, environmental effects, property damage)
Colorless and highly reactive gas that is a major ingredient of photochemical smog. Can cause coughing and breathing problems and can cause lung and heart diseases.Damages plants, rubber in tires and fabrics/paint. We are increasing the amount of ozone in the troposphere and decreasing the amount in the stratosphere.
Volatile Organic Chemicals (Description, Major human sources, health effects, environmental effects, property damage)
Organic compounds that exist as gases. Such as hydrocarbons from plants and methane, which is a greenhouse gas. Methane emissions come from plants, wetlands and termites. Human causes are landfills, oil and natural gas wells and cows. Other types are dry-cleaning fluids and various components of gasoline, plastics and other products.
Lead
Extremely toxic chemical that effects the nervous system, the brain, and various other disorders. Comes from car exhaust, waste incineration, computers and TV monitors and even ceramic wear for plates. Can leach into soil and cause harm to plants.
Industrial Smog
Mix of sulfur dioxides, sulfuric acid and other SPM. It is made from burning fossil fuels that produce CO and CO2, SO2 which is converted to H2SO4 (sulfuric acid) and NH3, which reacts to form ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4).
Photochemical Smog (Description, Equation and Source)
VOCs + NOx+ heat + sunlight –> ground level ozone + aldehydes + secondary pollutants
Mixture of primary and secondary pollutants formed under the influence of UV rays. Sometimes called brown-air smog. Comes from burning fossil fuels which creates Nitrogen that mixes with compounds in the air to create secondary pollutants and ozone.
Radiative forcing
Change in the energy balance of the earth from pre-indutrial times to the present
Long-lived greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and halo carbons
Surface Albedo
The reflectivity of the earth’s surface; a lighter surface such as snow cover reflects more solar radiation than a darker surface does
Aerosols
Airborne particles that come from both natural (dust, storms, forest fires, etc) and man-made sources such as burning fossil fuels.
Contrails
AKA vapor trails, are condensation trails and artificial clouds made by exhaust of aircraft engines.
How many climate experts out of 100 say that humans are affecting climate change?
97
What is a significant aerosol that affects climate change?
Sulfur Dioxide
What are anthropogenic causes of climate change? What does anthropogenic mean?
It means human caused. They include greenhouse gases, ozone, aerosols, contrails, etc.
What is the one natural cause of climate change?
Solar radiation
What does insolation mean?
It is the incoming solar radiation.
Equations for the formation of ozone
CFCl3 + UV –> Cl + CFCl2
Cl + O3 –> ClO + O2
Cl + O –> Cl + O2
Where are CFCs or “freons” found?
Coolants in air conditioners and refrigerators
Propellants in aerosol cans
Cleaner for electronics
Bubbles in plastic foam
How long until CFCs move into stratosphere?
11-20 years
How long until CFC molecules die out?
65-385 years
Montreal Protocol - What was it and why did it work?
Cut CFCS. 177 countries. Convincing evidence, produced by only small companies and there was an alternate available.
