Atmosphere + Pollution Flashcards
explain how features of the environment may affect the dispersal of atmospheric pollutants. (4)
wind velocity- distance travelled
wind direction- dispersal
temperature- rate of degradation
presence of the pollutants- chemical reactions/synergism
presence of UV/sunlight- photodegradation/chemical reactions
topography- reduce movement away from source/shelter
Which atmospheric pollutant is controlled by landfill tax? (1)
Methane
use tropospheric ozone to explain the meaning of secondary pollutant? (2)
formed by reactions of other pollutant(s);
trop O3 formed by breakdown of NOx to release monotonic O and reaction of O2/ interaction of NOx and O2
NO2–>NO+O
O+O2–>O3
NO+O2–>O3
Explain how tropospheric ozone increases the problems caused by acid rain. (3)
synergistic action;
ozone damages wax/cuticle/stomata;
exposes leaf to other acidic pollutant;
reacts with sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur trioxide;
SO3 produces sulfuric acid;
increase damage
e.g.
corrosion
leaching of toxic metals
describe how changes to soil, caused by acidic pollution, harm plants. (2)
soil deflocculation;
nutrient leaching/solubility/loss;
enzymes denatured/proteins denatured;
reduced decomposition
describe features of lichens that make them useful in monitoring acidic atmospheric pollution. (4)
range of sensitivities (to acidic conditions);
generally distributed;
easy to find;
easy to identify;
normally common;
explain how biotic indices may be used to monitor pollution. (6)
sensitivity to pollution;
range of tolerance/different sensitivities;
lichens/aquatic invertebrates
presence/absence;
abundance;
size/state of health
easy to find/catch;
easy to identify;
describe the factors that make it more likely that a temperature inversion will occur. (3)
high pressure;
low wind speed;
valley;
clear sky;
night time;
outline the differences between smoke smogs and photochemical smogs. (5)
smog:
smoke + fog
colder days
combustion of FF
photochemical smog:
NOx + HC + O3–(>18°C and sunny)–>PANS
warmer days
combustion of FF in car engines
suggest how the production of a named pollutant, other than smoke, may be reduced by the name of a secondary fuel. (1)
CO2/SO2/NOx are not released when an there is an increase in use of hydrogen
ozone is involved in many environmental issues.
outline how ozone is environmentally important in the following (1 mark for each)
acid rain:
oxidises SO2 to SO3
the stratosphere:
absorbs UV/prevents skin cancer
photochemical smog:
interaction with NOX
production of PANs
directly affecting living organisms:
eye/respiratory/asthma/leaf cuticle damage
suggest how the low persistence of ozone affects the severity of the pollution it causes. (1)
only short term/reduced mobility
suggest how the low persistence of ozone affects the severity of the pollution it causes. (1)
only short term/reduced mobility
describe how oxides of nitrogen may cause the production of a secondary pollutant. (2)
photochemical reaction to create PANs
NOx + HC + O3–(>18°C and sunny)–>PANS
outline methods that may be used to reduce the emissions of oxides of nitrogen. (2)
catalytic conveter;
reduces;
oxygen+nitrogen produced;
urea/ammonia treatment;
outline methods that may be used to reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide… (2)
wet/dry desulfurisation;
coal desulfurisation;
clean air act
explain how lichens can be used to monitor atmospheric pollution. (4)
range/type;
sensitivities;
presence/absence/abundance;
colour;
size/state of health;
estimate past pollutant levels
describe how the impact of pH on seed germination may be investigated. (6)
Name seed/same seed species (e.g. crest);
same amount of seeds (minimum of 10);
repeat so results are reliable for a statistical test;
range of pH;
control variable;
temperature/water/light/age of seeds
record results daily
count/ calculate percentage of germinated seeds
For ozone depletion and global climate change, state the differences in the following: (1 mark for each)
types of electromagnetic radiation involved:
ozone depletion UV/short wave
GCC IR/long wave;
direction of travel of the radiation involved:
ozone depletion downwards/incoming/from Sun
GCC upwards/outgoing/from Earth;
layer of the atmosphere in which the radiation is involved:
ozone depletion stratosphere/ozonosphere
[A ozone layer]
GCC troposphere;
involvement of CFCs:
ozone depletion source of chlorine
GCC absorbs IR/greenhouse gas;
international agreements intended to reduce the problems:
ozone depletion Montreal Protocol
GCC Kyoto Protocol;
Explain how natural processes cause atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to fluctuate. (3)
Change in named process;;
Eg
photosynthesis
(aerobic) respiration/decomposition
volcanic action
forest fires
combustion;
death;
Stated impact on CO2 levels;;
Explain the difference between positive feedback mechanisms and negative feedback mechanisms. (2)
Positive feedback increases the initial change;
Negative feedback reduces the initial change;
Explain how ozone depletion threatens humans. (2 marks each= total of 4)
human health:
DNA mutation;
Proteins/enzymes denatured;
Sunburn;
Skin cancer/;
Retina damage;
other living organisms:
Lower crop yield/fishery yields / other stated impact on humans;
Reduced photosynthesis;
Egg damage;
Leaf (cuticle) damage;
Reduced photosynthesis/egg damage/other stated impact;
Describe the strategies that are being developed to control emissions of named greenhouse gases. (6)
eg
carbon dioxide
energy conservation to reduce fossil fuel use
use of non-fossil fuel energy resources/renewables/nuclear
carbon sequestration/tree planting
named regulation/Kyoto protocol/Paris agreement/COP21
methane
reduced use of landfill
burning of landfill gas
burning of coal mine/oil facility gas
named change to livestock production
named change to padi field/rice production
named regulation/Landfill Tax
oxides of nitrogen
increased use of mass transport
urea/ammonia sprays
catalytic converters
named regulation/MOT/congestion charge
chlorofluorocarbons
named alternative material/alcohol/HC/HCFC/HFC
named alternative process/trigger packs/pump action
waste CFC incineration
named regulation/Montreal Protocol/Vienna Convention
tropospheric ozone
NO x control
Describe how methane is released by fossil fuel use. (1)
Anaerobic decomposition/respiration/digestion/fermentation; organic matter/bacteria;
Describe one pollution problem caused by CFCs which threatens human health. (3)
Depletion of (stratospheric) ozone;
[A damage to ozone layer/creation of ozone hole]
chlorine released (from CFC);
specific chemical reaction;
increased UV reaches Earth/less UV absorbed by ozone;
mutations/cancer/skin damage/eye damage;
Describe the methods that have been used to reduce the releases of methane. (4)
Landfill tax/reduced use of landfill;
named alternative method eg composting/recycling/incineration;
methane collection at landfill sites;
combustion/use of methane;
collection of mine/oil well ventilation gases;
change in diet of livestock;
[R reduce livestock numbers]
Use the processes involving energy in the atmosphere to explain the meaning of ‘dynamic equilibrium’. (2)
Balanced processes;
named energy processes that balance;
Outline the difficulties in predicting global climate change. (3)
Natural fluctuations/trends;
(inaccuracy of) measuring small changes;
regional differences;
other causes of climate change;
lack of historical data;
feedback mechanisms (mask/exaggerate effect);
lack of understanding of natural processes;
use of secondary data;
uncertainty of future human activity;
eg of problem;
Outline the methods that have been used to control ozone depletion. (4)
Montreal (Protocol) (ignore reference to Kyoto);
reduced/banned production/use (of ODSs);
named alternative material/HCs/HFCs/HCFCs/alcohols;;
named alternative process/pump action/trigger pack;
named waste disposal technique/incineration;
eg recycle/drain CFCsfrom fridges
structure of the atmosphere
(TOP) mesosphere
stratopause
stratosphere
tropopause
(BOTTOM)troposphere
Outline two ways in which human activities affect atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. (4)
fossil fuel combustion
released CO2 /increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration
deforestation
released CO2 /increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration
reforestation/afforestation
absorbed CO2 /reduced atmospheric CO 2 concentration
ploughing
increased respiration/released CO2 /increased atmospheric CO2 concentration
Suggest how a reduction in stratospheric ozone may be harmful to life on Earth. (2)
Increased UV;
named effect of UV/DNA damage/cancer/eye damage/plant tissue damage/sunburn/skin damage/mutations;
