Atmospheric Emissions Flashcards
Major Environmental Concerns
- Atmospheric Emissions
- Water Pollution
- Solid and Hazardous Wastes
- Radioactive Wastes
- Depletion of Natural Resources
Six major air pollutants
- Particulate matter (PM)
- Sulfur dioxide, SO2
- Carbon monoxide, CO
- Nitrogen dioxide, NO2
- Ground-level ozone, O3
- Lead, Pb
These air pollutants are known as criteria air pollutants
Primary Standards VS Secondary Standards VS What are they specified on?
Primary Standards:
They are designed to protect human health
Secondary Standards:
They are related to human welfare
Standards are specified on:
- An hourly or daily basis (acute health effects)
- An annual average basis (chronic health effects)
Particulate Matter (PM)
It is a mixture of small solids or liquid particles suspended in air (TSP)
Examples:
dust
smoke
haze
ash
Respiratory problems
What is producing PM?
Fuel combustion
Industrial and manufacturing processes
PM 10
PM 10:
Particles smaller than 10 microns (or 10 micrometers)
They penetrate deeply into the lungs and they release pollutants
on lung surfaces
PM 2.5 follows same logic = Nitrate Particles
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Who is producing SO2:
Combustion of coal and oil
Metal smelting
Other industrial processes
Power plants
Respiratory Problems
Some plants and crops are also sensitive to SO2 and may be damaged
SO2 can cause acid rain
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Who is producing CO:
Combustion of fossil fuel or other carbon
containing materials which are not completed
combusted
Automobiles are the dominant source of CO
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Who is producing NO2:
Fuel combustion
NO 2 is in the family of nitrogen oxides (NOx)
NO x react chemically in the atmosphere and produce nitrate particles,
PM 2.5
Ozone (O3)
There are two type of O3 :
Ozone in the stratosphere (good ozone)
Ozone in ground-level (bad ozone)
Ground-level ozone:
It is formed by complex chemical reactions in the atmosphere involving nitrogen oxides (NOx)
and hydrocarbon gases (volatile organic compounds, VOC, or reactive organic gases, ROG)
summer sunlight NO x + VOC(ROG) ------------------> O3 + Other
atmosphere Other Effects: Deteriorates paints and fabrics Rubber products become brittle and cracked Interferes with the ability of plants to produce and store food Ozone damage to plants and trees causes half a billion dollars per year od agricultural crops loss in U.S. alone
How to reduce O3
How to reduce ground-level ozone?
1. Reduce NO x
2. Reduce hydrocarbon emissions
Sources of Hydrocarbon Emissions:
Transportation sector
Petroleum refineries
Chemical manufacturing plants
Gasoline distribution and storage facilities
Dry cleaners
Lead (Pb)
Who is producing Pb:
Automobiles using leaded gasoline
Lead smelting and manufacturing processes
Health Problems:
Neurological damage
Adverse effects on organs (liver and kidneys)
Domestic sources of Pb:
Lead erosion from water pipes
Lead paint in buildings
Air Toxics
In addition to air pollutants there are also substances called
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) or air toxics
Air Toxics:
Are chemicals emitted in much more smaller quantities
than criteria air pollutants, but their effects are severe
Examples:
Asbestos
Benzene
Acid Deposition, Acid Rain
Acid Rain:
The fallout of acidic particles or any type of precipitatio
(rain, fog, mist, or snow)
Ph is about 5.6
Main Source of acidity:
Emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from power
plants hundreds of miles away
Sulfur dioxide sulfate particles ————–> other acidic species
NOx emissions ————-> acid loadings
Effects of Acid Rain:
Acidification of lakes and streams
Acidified waters can kill fishes, other aquatic organisms
or prevent them from reproduction
Decline of some species of trees
Soil acidification
Soil erosion
Deterioration of some building materials and monuments
made of limestone or marble
How to reduce Acid Rain
Reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions
