Unit 7 Study Guide Flashcards
SOx (Sulfur dioxide) Sources/Effects
Source: Coal combustion (electricity)
Effects: Respiratory irritant, smog, acid precipitation
NOx (Nitrogen oxide) Sources/Effects
Source: All FF combustion (gas especially)
Effects: O3 (Ozone), photochemical smog, acid precipitation
CO (Carbon Monoxide) Sources/Effects
Source: Incomplete combustion
Effects: O3, lethal to humans (chemical asphyxiant)
PM (Particulate matter) Sources/Effects
Source: FF/biomass combustion
Effects: Respiratory irritant, smog
Tropospheric O3 (ozone) Sources/Effects
Source: Photochemical oxidation of NO2
Effects: Respiratory irritant, smog, plant damage
Lead (PB) Sources/Effects
Source: Metal plants, waste incineration
Effects: Neurotoxicant, (esp. damaging for young children)
EXPLAIN why carbon dioxide is typically not considered an air pollutant on APES FRQs
CO2 is typically not considered an air pollutant because it is not toxic to organism to breathe, not damaging to eyes/lungs, and doesn’t lead to smog or decreased visibility.
(Occurs naturally in the env., but has increased concentration due to human activity)
EXPLAIN the difference between a primary and secondary air pollutant, using an example.
Primary air pollutants are released directly from the source, such as NOx from vehicles, while secondary air pollutants are primary air pollutants which have transformed in the presence of sunlight, water, or O2, such as tropospheric ozone (O3).
Identify the precursors (reactants) of photochemical smog formation
NO2, VOCs, and O3
Identify the environmental conditions which increase photo chem. smog formation
Increased sunlight, higher VOC emissions, increased vehicle traffic, warmer temperatures.
Explain how tropospheric ozone forms
Tropospheric ozone forms when NO2 is broken by sunlight into NO+O, and O bonds with O2 to form O3.
Explain why tropospheric ozone levels normally decline overnight
Tropospheric ozone levels normally decline overnight because O3 reacts with NO to form NO2 and O2 once again, therefore O3 levels drop overnight.
Describe the role VOCs play in preventing tropospheric ozone levels from decreasing over night.
VOCs bond with NO to form photochemical oxidants, preventing O3 from decreasing over night.
Identify the normal temperature-altitude relationship in the troposphere and explain why this relationship exists.
As altitude increases, temperature decreases-
Because the earth’s surface is the primary heart source, therefore moving higher and further away causes temperature to drop.
Describe how this temperature-altitude relationship normally helps disperse air pollutants near the Earth’s surface.
Because warm air rises, air convection carries air pollutants away from the earth’s surface and distributes them higher into the atmosphere.
Identify three natural sources of carbon dioxide
Respiration, aerobic decomposition, forest fires
Describe the relationship between PM size and human health risks
The smaller PM particle size is, the more likely to travel deep into the lungs due to the smaller size (not captured by nose hairs), which is associated with chronic bronchitis and increased risk of lung cancer.
Identify three natural sources of natural particulate matter (PM)
Sea salt, pollen, ash from forest fires
Asbestos Sources/Effects
Source: Insulation; building materials (older buildings)
Effects: Lung cancer
CO Sources/Effects
Source: Incomplete combustion of basically any fuel, malfunctioning natural gas furnace installation, biomass (for heating/cooking)
Effects: Asphyxiant, lethal to humans (especially in low ventilation)
VOCs Sources/Effects
Source: Adhesives/sealants (like formaldehyde), cleaners, plastics/fabrics, paint
Effects: Irritates eyes/lungs, causes bronchitis
Radon Sources/Effects
Source: Decay of uranium naturally, found in rocks underground (esp. granite)
Effects: 2nd leading cause of cancer
PM Sources/Effects
Source: Smoke (from indoor biomass combustion or cigarettes), dust, and asbestos
Effects: Respiratory irritant
Lead Sources/Effects
Source: Paint in old homes, lead pipes
Effects: Damages central nervous system of children due to smaller/still developing brain
Identify an individual-scale and identify a government-scale for reducing air pollutants
Individual-drive less, walk/bike/bus more
Government-laws/regulations such as the Clean Air Act
Identify the two primary pollutants that lead to acid deposition and identify a major source of each pollutant.
NOx and SO2
SO2-Coal fired power plants
NOx-vehicle emissions
Describe how the dissociation of nitric acid and sulfuric acid and water leads to acid deposition
Sulfuric acid and nitric acid dissociate in the presence of water into sulfate/nitrate ions, and hydrogen ions (H+), which increases acidityDe
Describe an environmental consequence of acid deposition
H+ ions displace or leech other positively charged nutrients (such as Ca2+, K+) from soil.
Identify two sources of noise pollution
Construction, transportation
