Pollution

Question 1

What elements is the atmosphere made up and their abundance percentages?

Answer 1

1. Argon
2. Nitrogen
3. CO2
4. Water vapour
5. Other gases

Question 2

What processes ADD carbon to the atmosphere?

Answer 2

1. Combustion (e.g. burning of fossil fuels)
2. Respiration
3. Volcanic activity
4. Decomp of dead animals and plants

Question 3

What 3 harmful pollutants can the burning fuels create? How?

Answer 3

1. Sulfur dioxide

• sulfur = impurity in all foss fuels
• sulfur oxidises when burnt - produces so2

2. Nitrogen oxides
   - nitro = impurity in all foss fuels
   - when burnt in confined space, high temperature = make nitrogen and o2 react
3. CO and particulates (small solid particle containing carbon and unburnt fuel.)
   - incomplete combustion

Question 4

What are the consequences of NO?

Answer 4

1. Inhaling = respiratory issues

2. Can react with H20 to produce nitric acid = component of acid rain

Question 5

What are the consequences of particulates?

Answer 5

1. Inhaling = respiratory issues
2. Can reflect radiation into space = global dimming
3. smog

Question 6

What is global dimming?

Answer 6

Decreases sunlight available for photosynthesis

Question 7

What are the consequences of CO?

Answer 7

1. Binds to haemo - stops ability to transport oxygen
2. Odourless and colourless = difficult to detect
3. High lvl = potential death

Question 8

What are the consequences of SO2 and NO2

Answer 8

1. Inhaling = respiratory issues?
2. ## Can react w H20 = acid rain

Question 9

What are the effects of acid rain?

Answer 9

1. corrode steel
2. weather buildings
3. death of small organisms