Unit 7: Air Pollution Review Flashcards
what are all of the air pollutants from burning coal?
Hg, Pb, SO2, NOx, PM
Nitrogen oxides are primary air pollutants. However, they can mix with other compounds in the air to
make photochemical smog and acid rain. Smog and acid rain are examples of what type of pollutants?
secondary pollutants
The burning of diesel fuel releases what type of outdoor air pollutant?
PM, NOx, HC, CO2
what are different chemical reactions to create tropospheric ozone in photochemical smog?
NO2 from cars is emitted and combines with oxygen in air to create ozone
What is a VOC? What are their main sources?
chemicals used in products that easily vaporize, enter air, and irritate
adhesives (formaldehyde), cleaners, plastics, fabrics
In what seasons do we see increases in smog concentration? Why?
summer, temperatures are warmer and sunlight is present, allowing for higher concentrations of ozone
Why are there high levels of smog in urban areas?
there tends to be higher levels of ground level ozone in urban areas
what are normal conditions of atmospheric temperatures?
warm air > cool air > cold air
what are the atmospheric temperatures in a thermal inversion?
cool air > warm air > cold air
why do thermal inversion layers trap pollutants?
the warmer air layer traps the pollutants from moving above the surface
What are natural sources of particulate matter in the air?
smoke, dust, pollen, ash, sea salt
What’s the difference between PM 2.5 and PM 10?
PM 10 < 10 micrometers in diameter
PM 2.5 < 2.5 micrometers in diameter
What are some natural sources of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?
cellular respiration, aerobic decomposition
identify significant sources of formaldehyde
adhesives
identify significant sources of radon
decaying uranium, combustion, mining, found underground and can enter homes with cracked foundations
identify significant sources of mercury
weathering of rocks, forest fires, volcano eruptions, burning of fossil fuel
identify significant sources of lead
exhaust fumes, metal smelting
identify significant sources of carbon monoxide
incomplete combustion of fuel, combustion of waste
identify significant sources of asbestos
home insulation
what are three specific health effects of lead on humans?
impairs central nervous system, affects ability to concentrate, hearing problems
what is sick building syndrome?
development of sickness from certain buildings being occupied
what is a baghouse filter?
filters out PM in industrial settings to prevent pollutants from entering the workplace and atmosphere
what is an electrostatic precipitator?
removes suspended dust particles from a gas or exhaust by giving an electrostatic charge and attracting the particles to charged plates
what is a wet scrubber?
chemical agents that absorb or neutralize oxides while spraying mist
what is a dry scrubber?
large containers filled with chemicals that absorb or neutralize oxides
what is a vapor recovery nozzle?
capture pollutants on gas pumps to prevent them from entering the atmosphere
what does a catalytic converter do?
binds to NOx and CO, converts hydrocarbons into CO2, N2, O2, and H2O
What does the Clean Air Act of 1970 mandate? What are NAAQS? Why were they created?
clean air act mandates regulations on pollutants in the atmosphere, NAAQS set standards on major air pollutants in the atmosphere, created to regulate air pollution
What is the pH of the following substances?: orange juice normal rain ammonia lime (calcium carbonate)
sulfuric acid acid rain human blood
sulfuric acid - 2
orange juice - 3
acid rain - 4
normal rain - 5.5
human blood - 7.4
calcium carbonate - 10
ammonia - 11
Write a series of chemical reactions that leads to the formation of acid rain from sulfur oxides and nitrous oxides.
SOx + O2 + H2O = H2SO4
NOx + O2 + H2O = HNO3
Write the chemical equation for the formation of carbonic acid from the reaction of water with carbon dioxide.
CO2 + H20= H2CO3
identify two places in the environment where CO2+ H20= H2CO3 occurs naturally
rocks, volcanoes
what are some environmental effects of acid rain/deposition?
Acidification of soil and water, corrosion of man made structures
how can limestone neutralize acid rain?
Sulfuric acid reacts with the limestone and limestone dissolves and crumbles then leaves off acid
How does noise pollution affect human health?
Stress, poor concentration, loss of hearing
What are sources of noise pollution?
transportation, construction, industry
How does noise pollution affect organisms in the environment?
hearing loss, infertility, rapid increase in heart rate
