Air quality case study

Question 1

In LA what is the main source of pollution

Answer 1

transport with 5 million cars burning 40 million liters petrol a day

Question 2

Why does the climate in LA exaggerate the problem

Answer 2

sunny, warm dry climate with anti-cyclonic conditions therefore air is not dispersed

Question 3

What is the main source of poor air quality in LA

Answer 3

photo chemical smog as sunlight converts nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons into nitrogen dioxides and particulate matter encourages the fomration

Question 4

How does the physical geography of LA affect air quality -

Answer 4

situated in a basin and experiences temp inversions therefore pollutants and smog become trapped

Question 5

Where does poor air quality in Cairo originate from

Answer 5

from extraneous sources from burning left over rice crops at the end of the growing season which results in the ‘black cloud’ over Cairo, vehicles and industry also contribute

Question 6

physical geography

Answer 6

valley acts like a basin trapping and temp inversions where cool air enters the basin and gets trapped under warmer subsiding air

Question 7

Why is there a reluctance to legislates in Cairo

Answer 7

burning crops is cheap

Question 8

Wind tunnel in Leeds

Answer 8

the highest building in Leeds has resulted in one death after strong winds toppled a lorry- 32 storey Bridgewater Palace 112 m