Blocks UV radiation Moderates the climate Redistributes water in the hydrologic cycle

Carbon Monoxide 49.1% Sulfur Oxides 16.4% Nitrogen Oxides 14.8% Volatille Organics 13.6% Particulates 6%

Transportation 46.2% Stationary Source Fuel Combustion 27.3% Industrial Process 15.0% Miscellaneus 9% , Solid waste 2.5%

Lecture 2 Flashcards by mahmoud magdy

Atmospheric Composition

Nitrogen 78.08%
Oxygen 20.95%
Argon 0.93%
Carbon dioxide 0.04%

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Ecosystem services

Blocks UV radiation
Moderates the climate
Redistributes water in the hydrologic cycle

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Air Pollution:

Chemicals added to the atmosphere by natural events or human activities in high enough
concentrations to be harmful

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Primary Air Pollutant

Harmful substance that is emitted directly into the atmosphere

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Secondary Air Pollutant

Harmful substance formed in the atmosphere when a primary air pollutant reacts with substances normally found in the atmosphere or with other air pollutants

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Primary Pollutants

•	particulate matter (PM)
nitrogen oxides
carbon monoxide
sulfur dioxide
.       volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
.	lead.

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What They Are

Carbon Monoxide 49.1%
Sulfur Oxides 16.4%
Nitrogen Oxides 14.8%
Volatille Organics 13.6%
Particulates 6%

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What They Come From

Transportation 46.2%
Stationary Source Fuel Combustion 27.3%
Industrial Process 15.0%
Miscellaneus 9% , Solid waste 2.5%

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Sources of Primary Pollutants

By humans:

Combustion
Chemical
Nuclear or Atomic
Roasting, Heating, Refining
Mining, Quarrying, Farming

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Sources of Primary Pollutants Natural

Volcanoes
Breaking Seas
Pollens
Fire
Blowing Dust
Bacteria, Viruses

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one example of a secondary pollutant

• Atmospheric sulfuric acid

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Smog

Air pollution in urban and industrial areas

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Photochemical smog

A noxious mixture of gases and particles, is produced when strong sunlight triggers photochemical reactions in the atmosphere

Brownish-orange haze formed by chemical reactions
involving sunlight, nitrogen oxide, and hydrocarbons

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Ozone

The major component of photochemical smog

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Major Classes of Air Pollutants

Particulate Material
Nitrogen Oxides
Sulfur Oxides
Carbon Oxides
Hydrocarbons
Ozone

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Thousands of different solid or liquid particles suspended in air
• Dangerous for 2 reasons
-May contain materials with toxic or carcinogenic effects
-Extremely small particles can become lodged in lungs

Particulate Material

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Nitrogen Oxides

Gases produced by the chemical interactions between atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen at high temperature

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Nitrogen Oxides and its problems

Gases produced by the chemical interactions between atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen at high temperature
Greenhouse gases
Cause difficulty breathing

Sulfur OxidesGases

Produced by the chemical interactions between sulfur and oxygen
Causes acid precipitation

Carbon Oxides

Gases carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2)

Greenhouse gases

Hydrocarbons

Diverse group of organic compounds that contain only hydrogen and carbon (ex: CH4-methane)

Hydrocarbons

Diverse group of organic compounds that contain only hydrogen and carbon (ex: CH4-methane)

Some are related to photochemical smog and greenhouse gases

Man- made pollutant in the lower atmosphere
Secondary air pollutant
Component of photochemical smog

Tropospheric Ozone

Essential component that screens out UV radiation in the upper atmosphere

Stratospheric Ozone

Transportation | Industry

Two main Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution

Intentional forest fires

Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution

Air Pollution Effects

Irritates eyes Causes inflammation of respiratory tract Can develop into chronic respiratory diseases

Sulfur Dioxide and Particulate material

Irritate respiratory tract | Impair ability of lungs to exchange gases

Causes airway restriction

Nitrogen Dioxides

Binds with iron in blood hemoglobin Causes headache, fatigue, drowsiness, death

Carbon monoxide

Ozone

Causes burning eyes, coughing, and chest | discomfort

Smokestacks with electrostatic precipitator Particulate material can also be controlled by proper excavating techniques Phase I Vapor Recovery System for gasoline

Controlling Air Pollution

Reduce sulfur content in gasoline from its current average of 330 ppm to 30 ppm Sulfur clogs catalytic converters Require legal emission standards for all passenger vehicles Including SUVs, trucks and minivans Require emission testing for all vehicles Including diesel

Other Ways to Improve Air Quality

Ozone Protects earth from UV radiation Part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths just shorter than visible light ``` Ozone thinning/hole First identified in 1985 over Antarctica Caused by human-produced bromine and chlorine containing chemicals ```

Ozone Depletion in Stratosphere

Higher levels of UV-radiation hitting the earth Eye cataracts Skin cancer Weakened immunity May disrupt ecosystems May damage crops and forests

Effects of Ozone Depletion

Recovery of Ozone Layer

Montreal Protocol (1987) Reduction of CFCs Started using HCFCs (greenhouse gas) Phase out of all ozone destroying chemicals is underway globally

mixing depth

The vertical distance between Earth's surface and the height to which convectional movements extend is called the

Mixing depth

The vertical distance between Earth's surface and | the height to which convectional movements extend

Represent a situation in which the atmosphere is very stable and the mixing depth is significantly restricted.

Temperature inversions

Represent a situation in which the atmosphere is very stable and the mixing depth is significantly restricted.

Form because the ground is a more effective radiator than the air above

Surface temperature inversions

Form because the ground is a more effective radiator than the air above

Are associated with sinking air that characterizes centers of high air pressure (anticyclones).

Inversions aloft

Are associated with sinking air that characterizes centers of high air pressure (anticyclones).