Ch 18

What is the source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

organic compounds that exist as gases in teh atmos. or evaporate from sources on earth into the atm.

Why is the precipitation on the east cost 10x more acidic?

prevailing winds go west to east

What are some ways to reduce acid deposition?

reduce coal use burn low-sulfur coal, increase use of natural gas and renewable energy resources, phosphate neutralizer

List ways to reduce air pollution

reducing emission through the use of low-sulfur coal, shifting to less polluting fuels (e.g., coal to natural gas), removal of pollutants after combustion or lower emissions through the use of mass transit or alternative transportation, improving fuel efficiency, and tax incentives.

How can Air pollutants be detected and measured?

remotely with the use of unmanned aircraft, remote laboratories, and lasers. Other methods rely on biological indicators such as lichens.

Describe the stratosphere

second layer of the atmosphere and extends from 11-30 miles above the earth's surface.

What is the composition of acid deposition?

secondary pollutants such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid vapor, and sulfate

Describe the troposphere

the atmospheric layer closest to the earth's surface. This layer extends about 11 miles above sea level at the equator and about 5 miles above the poles.

Why are mountaintops more vulnerable to acid deposition?

they have thin soil

Harmful effects of air pollution include...

various respiratory diseases, premature deaths, damage to plants, and materials such as buildings, cars, statues, etc.

Ways to reduce motor vehicle air pollution

walk, bike, or use mass transit, improve fuel efficiency, require emission control devices, set strict emission standards

What are the two types of acid deposition? describe them

wet deposition of acidic rain, snow, fog, and cloud vapor with pH less than 5.6, and dry deposition of acidic particles.

how is ozone produced?

when oxygen molecules interact with ultraviolet radiation

___ were established for six outdoor criteria pollutants.

National air quality standards (NAAQS)

6 factors that increase air pollution

1. buildings obstructing the wind 2. hills and mountains 3. high temperatures 4. emissions of VOCs 5. the movement of air pollutants to polar areas 6. temperature inversions.

5 factors that reduce air pollution

1. particles heavier than air settling out 2. rain and snow cleansing the air 3 salty sea spray washing out pollutants 4. winds sweeping pollutants away 5. chemical reactions.

The four most dangerous indoor air pollutants in more-developed countries are

1. tobacco smoke 2. formaldehyde 3. radioactive radon-222 gas 4. very small particles from emissions

About __ of global methane emission comes from natural sources

1/3

The U.S. Congress passed Clean Air Acts in what 3 years?

1970, 1977, and 1990

Health risks are magnified because people usually spend __-__% of their time indoors or in vehicles.

70-98%

About __-__% of the earth's air mass is found in the troposphere

75-80%

About __% of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the result of the natural carbon cycle

93%

The ozone keeps about __% of the sun's harmful UV radiation from reaching the earth's surface

95%

What is temperature inversion?

A layer of warm air sitting on top of a layer of cool air near the ground can prevent outdoor pollutants from rising and dispersing.

What is the composition of the tropsphere?

About 99% of the volume of air is made up of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) with the rest consisting of water vapor, argon, carbon dioxide, and traces of several other gases.

T/F: The concentration of ozone in this layer is much higher than in the troposphere.

True

What are the two limits that were established?

a primary standard is set to protect human health, and a secondary standard is set to prevent environmental and property damage.

List the major classes of air pollutants

Carbon oxides Nitrogen oxides and nitric acid Sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid Particulates Ozone Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Which country has the highest levels of industrial smog?

China

How are secondary pollutants formed?

Primary pollutants react with one another and/or with air

What is acid deposition (acid rain)?

Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates react in the atmosphere to produce acidic chemicals that travel long distances before coming back to earth. Acidic particles remain in the atmosphere for 2-14 days, depending on the prevailing winds, precipitation, and other weather patterns.

Examples of secondary pollutants

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4), ozone (O3), nitric acid (HNO3), sulfate (SO4^2-)

What act allows an emissions trading policy that permits companies to buy and sell SO2 pollution rights.

The Clean Air Act of 1990

SO2 can be converted to ____ which consist of microscopic suspended droplets of sulfuric acid

aerosols

Ways to reduce indoor air pollution

ban indoor smoking, set stricter formaldehyde emissions standards for carpet, furniture, and building materials, prevent radon infiltration, circulate air more frequently

What are the major sources of acid deposition?

nitrogen oxides produced during fossil fuel combustion and sulfur oxides produced primarily from coal-fired power plants.

Ways to reduce stationary source air pollution

burn low-sulfur coal, convert coal to liquid or gaseous fuel, disperse emission, tax each unit of pollution produced

What is the source of industrial smog?

burning lg. amounts of coal (power plants or homes)

What are the negative consequences of acid deposition?

can cause or worsen respiratory disease, attack metallic and stone objects, decrease atmospheric visibility, and kill fish. can deplete some soil nutrients, release toxic ions into soil, and weaken plants that become susceptible to other stresses.

Examples of primary pollutants

carbon dioxide and monoxide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), methane (CH4), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

List some of the primary sources of these pollutants

cars, industry, and natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions.

Where are the most common places where photochemical smog is found?

cities. sunny, warm and dry climates

what is the danger of carbon monoxide?

combines with hemoglobin in RBC to prevent normal binding of oxygen

What is suspended particulate matter (SPM)?

consists of a variety of solid particles and liquid droplets that are sm. and light enough to remain suspended int he air for long periods

How is photochemical smog formed?

formed by the reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile hydrocarbons under the influence of UV radiation

What caused the South Asian Brown Clouds?

gradual melting of Himalayan glaciers because they absorb sunlight and heat the air above the glaciers and when the soot falls on the surface, it decreases the glaciers ability to reflect radiant energy.

Source of nitric oxide (NO)

high-combustion temp. i automobile engines and coal-burning power and industrial plants

Where is lead found?

in air, water, soil, plants and animals. as a paint and gasoline

Where is Radon-222 gas found?

is found in some soils and rocks, and can seep into some homes and increase the risk of lung cancer

Tall smokestacks reduce __ air pollution, but they can increase ___ air pollution.

local; regional

How as the the South Asian Brown Clouds helped the environment?

mask the impact of atmospheric warming because certain types of particles reflect sunlight back to space, helping to cool the earth's surface beneath them.

What is the composition of industrial smog?

mix of sulfur dioxide, sulfuric acid, and suspended particles

What is the composition of photochemical smog?

nitric oxide