APES Unit 7 Study Guide

nitrogen oxides

(NOx) Major source is auto exhaust. Primary and secondary effects include acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone. Reduced using catalytic converters.

What is meant by the term "sick building"?

A building that has a high concentration of indoor air pollutants inside it.

Radon

A gas that arises from the earth where radioactive materials are present.

Asbestos

A long, thin, fibrous silicate mineral with insulating properties, which can cause cancer when inhaled.

Describe thermal inversion.

A natural phenomenon that involves a change in the normal tendency of the air to cool down with altitude and that runs as follows: During the night, the earth's surface cools quickly, transmitting that cold to the atmosphere closest to the ground.

What does fluidized bed combustion do?

A process in which solid particles are made to exhibit fluid-like properties by suspending these particles in an upwardly flowing evenly distributed fluid stream.

Formaldehyde

An air pollutant that is a colorless chemical used to manufacture building materials and many household products, such as particleboard, hardwood plywood paneling, and urea-formaldehyde foam insulation.

What are catalytic converters?

An exhaust emission control device which converts toxic chemicals in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine into less toxic substances.

Why is radon gas mostly likely a danger in well-insulated homes?

Because radon would have a difficult time escaping the house, this keeping this dangerous gas in there to build overtime.

Describe how calcium carbonate can remediate acidic conditions in pond water.

Because the acidic water will slowly deteriorate the calcium carbonate which will raise the pH of the water.

How does the use of biomass fuel sources contribute to indoor air quality in developing countries?

Biomass fuels decrease the indoor air quality in developing countries because they are burned inside to cook food and heat homes.

Describe the criteria used for determining whether a building is "sick".

Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors. The cause of the symptoms is not known.

Which fossil fuel energy source is primarily responsible for acid rain?

Coal

What do Dry-Scrubbers do?

Dry scrubbers are used mainly to remove acid gases from combustion sources.

Where does the majority of atmospheric mercury come from?

From natural sources like hot springs and volcanoes.

Identify the 3 main anthropogenic sources of gaseous air pollutants in the US.

Industry, transportation, and energy production.

What are the negative environmental impacts of noise pollution?

Interruption of migration patterns.

What are the negative human health impacts of photochemical smog?

Irrigation to the respiratory system, Asthma, coughing, and even lung cancer.

Describe how limestone can help neutralize acid rain.

Limestone is an alkaline agent with the ability to neutralize, or partially neutralize strong acids. The neutralization process occurs when strong acids, in intimate contact with limestone chips, react with Calcium Carbonate to form water, carbon dioxide, and calcium salts.

Why is the Los Angeles basin known for high levels of smog formation?

Los Angeles has high levels of sunshine and lots of transportation emissions.

What are the negative human health impacts of noise pollution?

Loss of sleep, stress.

Lead

Naturally occurring toxic metal found in the Earth's crust.

What are the chemical reactants needed to form ozone?

Nitrogen oxides and VOCs + sunlight

What type of air pollutants are released from coal-burning power plants?

Nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulates.

What do Electrostatic precipitators do?

Produce a gradient to grab onto pollutants

What is ozone?

Three oxygen atoms bonded together into a single molecule (O3)

Describe the purpose of the Clean Air Act.

To decrease the amount of air pollution and the amount of diseases that were caused by the immense amount of it.

What is the function of catalytic converters on vehicles?

To reduce harmful emissions from vehicles.

Identify the chemical compound that leads to the formation of photochemical smog in the troposphere.

VOCs and Nitrogen Oxides.

What do Wet-Scrubbers do?

Wet scrubbers contain a mist eliminator that grabs onto chemical and pollutants in the air that is filtered through.

Carbon monoxide

a colorless, odorless toxic flammable gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon.

carbon monoxide

a colorless, odorless toxic flammable gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon.

What does anthropogenic mean?

caused by humans

VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

group of primary pollutants that comes from gas, solvents, and evaporating chemicals; component of photochemical smog

What is a calcium carbonate?

limestone and chalk.

Identify natural sources of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

outgassing from the ocean, decomposing vegetation and other biomass, venting volcanoes, naturally occurring wildfires, and even belches from ruminant animals.