common ambient air pollutants (apes)
nitric acid precipitation formula
2NO2 + H2O --> HNO3 + HNO2
carbonic acid precipitation formula
CO2 + H2O --> H2CO3
impact of CO2
a greenhouse gas, CO2 absorbs thermal radiation and re-emits it at lower wavelengths.
environmental effects of CO2
absorption of heat in the troposphere/increasing global temp., water/atmospheric acidification and ecological impacts
sinks of NOx
acid deposition onto land/water NO2 + H2O --> NO + HO --> HNO2 (nitric acid) key reactant in creation of photochemical smog
photochemical smog formula
NOx + VOC + Heat --> O3 + other pollutants (mostly particulates) AKA industrial (1 degree) pollutants + heat BECOMES photochemical smog (2 degree pollutants)
nitric oxides formulas
O2 + N2 --> 2NO 2NO + O2 --> 2NO2 N2 + O2 --> NO2
source of PM/SPM
PM 10: construction sites, unpaved roads, fields smoke stakes, fires PM 2.5: fireworks, power plants, industries, automobiles, volcanoes
sink of Rn
Rn-222 decays to P0-218 then eventually to lead
environmental effect of O3
SMOG, decreased crop yields, damage to plants, traps heat, contributes to thermal inversions.
sulfuric acid precipitation formula
SO2 +H2O --> H2SO4
mitigation of Pb
banning lead gasoline
mitigation of Hg
cap and trade (ERC's)
mitigation of NOx
cap and trade allowances (ERC's) reduce combustion temperatures (high heat causes O2 + N2 --> 2NO)
mitigation of SOx
cap and trade allowances (ERC's); scrubbers
environmental impact of Hg
capable of bioaccumulation and biomagnification
CO2
carbon dioxide
CO
carbon monoxide
impact of Rn
carcinogenic
sink of SOx
cloud condensation/acid deposition (H2SO4); form particulate matter (PM)
source of Hg
coal burning power plants
source of NOx
combustion (gasoline, coal, oil). Vehicles are a major source. power plants and factories burning fossil fuels. 02 + N2 --> 2NO 2NO + O2 --> 2NO2 N2 + O2 --> NO2
source of CO2
combustion of any organic material. gasoline, petroleum, coal, natural gas, biomass, aerobic respiration.
source of SOx
combustion of coal or petroleum high in sulfur.
sink of Hg
condensation, precipitation, deposition
environmental effect of VOCs
contributes to ground level ozone and smog, climate change NOx + VOC + Heat --> O3
environmental effect of CO
contributes to ground level ozone, smog
impact of PM/SPM
damaged lungs/respiratory diseases (asthma to COPD to cancer), eye irritation, early death
impact of Hg
damages the nervous system and the brain "mad hatters"; toxic to nerve cells.
mitigation of CFC's
decrease use of CFC's **MONTREAL PROTOCOL**
environmental impact of Pb
decreased growth/reproductive rates in plants and animals, neurological effects in vertebrates
environmental impact of PM/SPM
decreased visibility, produces haze, dust on leaves damage crops (no photosynthesis), discolor/dirty buildings and other surfaces
sink of asbestos
deposition
sink of Pb
deposition into soil and water; contaminates soil and crops
source of asbestos
disturbed insulation due to renovation or damage
source of VOCs
evaporation of fuel, uncombusted exhaust, paints, carpets, furniture, insulation, etc.
source of Pb
exhaust fumes from leaded gasoline, metal smelting, paint, power plants burning fossil fuels
impact of VOCs
eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, damage to kidney, liver and central nervous damage
source of Rn
forms naturally in soils containing uranium (biproduct of Rn decay)
environmental effect of NOx
forms photochemical smog, acid precipitation. damages plants, trees, aquatic life and buildings. NO is poisonous and reacts with O2 to form NO2
sink of PM/SPM
gravitational setting to land or watter
source of CO
incomplete combustion of fuel, combustion of waste, vehicle exhaust, boilers, furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, gas stoves
impact of CFC's
increased skin cancer rates; eye cataracts, weakened immunity
asbestos
indoor air pollutants
Pb
lead heavy metal
impact of asbestos
lung cancer/mesothelioma
impact of O3
lung damage, breathing problems (emphysema, asthma), reduced resistance to colds/infections (bronchitis, pneumonia), chest pain, coughing, eye irritation. also reduces visibility and deteriorates rubber/fabric.
mitigation of CO
maintaining and adjusting combustion equipment, gas appliances, furnaces, flues and chimneys
mitigation of O3
mass transit, reduction of traffic congestion, drive less/walk more.
Hg
mercury heavy metal
mitigation of Rn
monitor/test basements
environmental impact of Rn
n/a
environmental impact of asbestos
n/a
impact of Pb
neurological effects in children, high blood pressure and heart disease in adults, kidney damage, cancer
NOx
nitrogen oxides
impact of CO
out competes O2 for hemoglobin - low concentration, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, death
CFC's
ozone depletion
PM/SPM
particulate matter dust less than 10 microns suspended PM = SPM
PANs
peroxacyl nitrates 2 degree pollutant
sink of VOCs
photolysis (UV), forms photo chemical smog NOx + VOC + Heat --> O3
sink of CFC's
photolysis with intense UV radiation (stratosphere) releasing chlorine or bromine which depletes ozone
sinks of CO2
photosynthetic organisms, acid deposition (H2CO3), acidification of oceans through CO2 uptake.
Rn
radon indoor air pollutants
environmental effect of SOx
reacts in atmosphere to form SO3 and H2SO4 (acid rain).
mitigation of VOCs
reduce combustion of fossil fuels (hybrids, public transport. reduce use of paint thinners and aerosols).
source of CFC's
refrigerants, solvents, accelerants in aerosol cans, foam blowing agents, pesticides, halons (group 17 chemicals)
impact of SOx
respiratory illnesses (bronchitis, emphysema, asthma) **NOTE: SO2 is a 1 degree pollutant, SO3 is a 2 degree pollutant**
impact of NOx
respiratory illnesses, lung disease (emphysema, asthma), component of photochemical smog and acid deposition
environmental impact of CFC's
stratospheric ozone depletion allowing more UV-A and UV-B to get to earth's surface; decline in #'s (arctic krill) affecting food webs, decreasing crop yields
mitigation of PM/SPM
stricter emissions standards (pollution abatement), use of electrostatic precipitators
impact of PANs
strong respiratory and eye irritant. potentially mutagenic. can damage vegetation.
SOx
sulfur oxides
source of PANs
transportation (created from ethanol in fuels); more stable than ozone and capable of long range transport NO2+ hydrocarbons --> PANs
O3
tropospheric ozone
source of O3
tropospheric reaction of NOX, VOCs with O2 that require sunlight/heat. NOx + VOC + Heat --> O3 (SMOG)
sinks of CO
upward migration in the upper layers of the atmosphere, uptake by soils.
sinks of O3
urban photochemical smog
mitigation of asbestos
use insulation that does not contain asbestos/don't disturb insulation that does contain asbestos
mitigation of CO2
using fuel sources that have low or no CO2 emissions. Fertilizing ocean with iron. ***KYOTO PROTOCOL
VOCs
volatile organic compounds 1 degree and 2 degree pollutants