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ESS all topic definitions and key points > TOPIC 6 > Flashcards

TOPIC 6 Flashcards

1
Q

Photochemical reaction (in the context of air pollution)

A

-Reactions sped up by the solar energy of UV radiation

-with air pollution, create SECONDARY POLLUTANTS from the PRIMARY POLLUTANTS formed by the combustion of fossil fuels

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2
Q

greenhouse gases

A

DIFFERENT from atmosphere composition

mainly
-water vapour
-carbon dioxide
-methane

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3
Q

wet deposition (3 points)

A

-when acid pollutants are dissolved in precipitation

-can fall at great distance from sources

-example of trans-frontier pollution; crosses itnernational boundaries

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4
Q

How do ODSs (ozone-depleting substances) function?

A

Halogen atoms (e.g., chlorine) INCREASE destruction of ozone in a REPETITIVE cycle, allowing more UV radiation to reach the Earth

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5
Q

role of the albedo effect from clouds in regulating global average temperature

A

-ability of surface to reflect sunlight

-light coloured reflect a lot (high albedo); dark surfaces ABSORB a lot (low albedo)

-negative feedback system; clouds act as barrier, reflecting radiation back into space and reducing amount of heat absorbed by ground, which reduces the amount of sunlight

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6
Q

List secondary pollutants of acid deposition and how they’re formed

A

-sulphuric acid (H2SO4)
-nitric acid (HNO3)

both are formed from primary pollutants by REACTION with WATER

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7
Q

regions causing acid deposition

A

-W Europe
-US industrial belt
-China
-India

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8
Q

Stratospheric ozone formation (2 points)

A

-UV breaks apart O2 molecules and these REACT with O2 to form O3

-the O3 molecules are also broken apart by UV radiation but REFORM in a DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM

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9
Q

Greenhouse effect (define)

A

A natural phenomenon of the atmosphere, trapping SOLAR RADIATION in the TROPOSPHERE and keeping the Earth at a livable temperature for living systems

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10
Q

role of the greenhouse effect in regulating temperature on Earth.

A

-greenhouse effect: natural warming of earth from when atmosphereic gases trap heat from sun that would otherwise escape

-keeps earth at a livable temperature

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11
Q

effects of UV radiation o nhumans

A

-damages living tissues

-increases incidence of cataracts

-mutation during cell division

-skin cancer

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12
Q

impact of tropospheric ozone on the economy

A

-increased cost of healthcare
-loss of crops damaged by tropospheric ozone
-loss of time labourors are able to work due to extreme heat caused by tropospheric ozone
-cost of clean-up
-loss of tourism

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13
Q

Dry deposition (2)

A

-Ash and dry particles of acids

-occurs close to emission source

-causes damage to buildings and structures

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14
Q

Causes of acid deposition

A

-fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) –> burned –> become sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide –> released into atmosphere, absorbed by moisture and become weak sulfuric and nitric acids

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15
Q

fluctuation in ozone concentration

A

-SEASONAL

-springtime: marked reduction in ozone over Antarctica

-summer developing: ozone recovers

-reason: in winter, air over aAntarctica becomes cut off from the rest of the world

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16
Q

Smog (definition + examples of causes)

A

A complex mixture of primary and secondary pollutants of which TROPOSHPERIC OZONE is the main pollutant.

caused by:
-burning of fossil fuels (transportation and industry)
-deforestation and burning (in North India and Indonesia)

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17
Q

4 factors that can influence frequency and severity of smog and HOW

A

-topography
-climate
-population density
-fossil fuel use

HOW

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18
Q

ODS meaning

A

ozone depleting substance

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19
Q

Halogenated gases

A

Compounds which contain atoms from Group VII of the periodic table (e.g., chlorine, fluorine, bromine)

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20
Q

Direct effects of acid deposition (list 2)

A

-Intolerance of aquatic organisms to CHANGES in pH
-coniferous forests do not shed leaves so stays in the system, and have REDUCED IMMUNITY to pests and diseases

21
Q

What is the concetration of oxygen gas in the atmosphere?

A

~20%

22
Q

effects of UV radiation on biological productivity (list 1)

A

Damages photosynthetic organisms (especially phytoplankton, which form the basis of aquatic food webs)

23
Q

Tropospheric ozone

A

A secondary pollutant formed when oxygen MOLECULES react with oxygen ATOMS that are released from NOx in the presence of SUNLIGHT

-the evil ozone

24
Q

Factors that determine frequency and severity of smog (list of 4)

A

-local topography
-climate
-population density
-fossil fuel use

25
Q

What is an indirect effect of acid deposition? (list 2)

A

-Increases solubility of metals such as aluminium, which causes white froth to form in fish gills, leading to suffocation.

-Leaching of plant nutrients, so soil has decreased fertility

26
Q

What is the nitrogen gas concentration in the atmosphere?

A

~79%

27
Q

Troposphere

A

The first layer of the atmosphere where weather occurs (0-10km)

28
Q

Stratosphere

A

Second layer of the atmosphere (above troposphere) where ‘good’ ozone exists, proctecting us from the sun’s UV radiation

29
Q

Albedo

A

The reflectiveness of a surface; white is high albedo and refelcts more solar radiation

30
Q

What were the CO2 ppm in the 80s vs 2016?

A

was 350 ppm in the late 80s, in 2016 reached 400 ppm (0.04%)

31
Q

regions impacted by acid deposition

A

acid rain:
downwind of major industrial regions such as:
-Scandinavia (downwind W. Europe)
-NE USA, E Canada (downwind from US industrial belt)

32
Q

List primary pollutants from combustion of fossil fuels (list 6)

A

-Carbon monoxide (CO)
-carbon dioxide (CO2)
-black carbon/soot (C)
-unburned hydrocarbons
-oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
-oxides of sulphur (usually SO2)

33
Q

What are ozone-depleting substances and what are they used in?

A

Halogenated organic gases (.e.g, chlorofluorocarbons) are used in
-aerosols
-gas-blown plastics
-pesticides
-flame retardants
-refrigerants

34
Q

What gases make up the atmosphere? (list 6)

A

-Nitrogen
-Oxygen
-Carbon Dioxide
-Argon
-Water vapour
-Trace gases

35
Q

Thermal inversions (3 points + example location)

A

-Occur because a lack of AIR MOVEMENT when a layer of DENSE COOL AIR is trapped BENEATH a layer of LESS DENSE, WARM AIR

-causes the CONCENTRATION of air pollutants to BUILD UP near the ground instead of being DISSIPATED by ‘normal’ air movements

-air pollutant concentration can build up to harmful/lethal levels –> toxic and carcinogenic chemicals are produced

36
Q

The atmosphere

A

A dynamic system that has undergone changes throughout geological time

37
Q

Effects of tropospheric ozone (list 4)

A

-plant damage (crops, forests)

-irritates eyes

-respiratory illnesses

-damage to fabric and rubber materials

38
Q

reasons for illegal trade of ODSs

A

-substitutes are often costlier than CFCs
-updating equipment to enable use of alt chemicals is expensive
-penalties for smuggling ODSs in many countries are LOW

39
Q

list of primary pollutants

A

-carbon monoxide
-carbon dioxide
-black carbon
-unburned hydrocrabons
-oxides of nitrogen
-oxides of sulfur

40
Q

black carbon

A

fine particulate matter emitted from incomplete combustion

41
Q

unburned hydrocarbons

A

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during combustion

42
Q

oxides of nitrogen

A

NOx
-key contributors to air pollution
-cause RESPIRATORY issues
-contribtue to the formation of smog

43
Q

oxides of sulfur

A

-SOx
-released during fossil fuel combustion
-leading to acid rain
-respiratory problems

44
Q

secondary pollutants

A

-tropospheric ozone
-nitric acid and nitrate particles created by NOx –> contribute to acid rain
-

45
Q

economic losses related to smog

A

-healthcare costs
-reduction in productivity
-loss of work days
-environmental damage
-decreased property values

46
Q

healthcare costs related to smog

A

-poor air quality in urban areas -> increase in respiratory and cardiovascular dieases
-higher healthcare costs for individuals, businesses, governments
-treatment of pollution-related illneses, including hospitalisations, meds, long-term care
-can put a strain on healthcare systems and result in substantial economic burdens

47
Q

reduction in productivity related to smog

A

-can have detrimental effect on worker productivity
-exposure to polluted air can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, fatigue –> can impair work performance
-can translate into economic losses for businesses and the overall economy

48
Q

loss of workdays related to smog

A

-severe air pollution triggers HEALTH WARNING –> people stay indoors or limit outdoor activities
-results in missed workdays or reduced working hours, impacting business and individuals’ incomes
-when pollution-related health issues force workers to take sick leave -> affects productivity

ESS all topic definitions and key points (10 decks)

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