APES Chapter 15 Test Review
How is stratospheric ozone made?
1)UV-C breaks up oxygen molecule 2) A free oxygen atom encounters an oxygen molecule, and they form ozone 3) UV-B and UV-c can break up the new ozone molecule and form molecular oxygen and a free atom again
What is a VOC and give an example
A VOC is an organic compound that evaporates at typical atmospheric temperatures. Many are hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, perfume, lighter fluid, dry-cleaning fluid, and oil based paints. Not all are necessarily hazardous. GIven off by conifer trees
What is sick building syndrome?
A buildup of toxic pollutants in an airtight space, seen in newer buildings
What are teh characteristics of sulfur dioxide?
A corrosive gas. Causes respiratory irritation
What is asbestos and how did it cause so many problems?
A long, thin, fibrous silicate mineral with insulating properties. When people disturbed the asbestos or it broke down, it became airborne. Can cause cancer or respiratory disease
How are primary and secindary pollutants different?
A primary pollutant comes straight from its source, a secondary pollutant has undergone a transformation through exposure to sunlight, water oxygen...
How does a thermal inversion happen?
A warm layer of air moves over a cool layer of air and gets trapped by a cool layer of air
What is the major source of indoor air pollution in developing countries?
Burning of biomass such as wood or manure indoors with little ventilation
Which compound is linked to the degradation of statospheric ozone?
CFCs
How does smog affect human health?
Can affect the respiratory system and sight
What are some problems with acid deposition?
Can cause mental and reproductive issues in animals, mobilization of metals, erosion
How does particulate pollution affect people?
Can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and reduce lung function. Can cause premature death. Reduces visibility
What two countries have the most cities with the worst air pollution?
China and India
Which law has influence over over the amount of acid deposition/precipitation?
Clean Air Act
What are the characteristics of CO?
Colorless, odorless
What are the anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide?
Combustion of fossil fuels and clearing of land
How does sulfur dioxide get into the atmosphere?
Comes primarily from the combustion of fuels such as a coal and oil. Also released during volcanic eruptions and in smaller amounts during forest fires
From the case study at the beginning of the chapter, how does the location of Chattanooga make it more susceptible to pollution?
Considering the city is in a river basin surrounded by mountains, the pollution gets trapped
How can cities reduce the amount of smog?
Control the emissions of the pollutants, restrict car use, reduction of wood burning stoves, reduce bakeries
What is a natural source of nitrogen oxides?
Forest fires, lightning, microbial actio in soil.
How can particulate matter emissions be controlled?
Gravitational settling, fabric filters, scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators
How does smog form?
In the presence of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, photochemical oxidants can enhance the formation of particulate matter, which contributes to scattering light. This is smog
Why is radon considered an indoor air pollutant?
It can seep in through cracks in a house's foundation or basement. Can bond to dust and stays in home. Requires ventilation
How can large volcanic eruptions disrupt photosynthesis worldwide?
It contributes to particulate matter, which absorbs or scatteres light, reducing productivity of plants
Why is stratospheric ozone important?
It filters out and abosorbs harmful UV rays
What are the characteristics of gasoline that make it a VOC?
It is a hydrocarbon that gives off a strong aroma from chemicals being released into the air
Why is carbon monoxide so dangerous to humans?
It is colorless and odorless so it can't be detected. It bonds to hemoglobin, interferring with blood flow. Causes headaches at low concentrations. Death at high concentrations
What does smog do to light?
It reduces and scatters the light
What are the causes of indoor air pollution?
Little ventilation, leaky heaters or air conditioners, certain objects or products can create indoor air pollution
Which metal air pollutant is released primarily through the combustion of coal?
Mercury
What agreement deals with the elimination of CFCs?
Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
What is a man-made source of nitrogen oxides?
Motor vehicles and stationary combustion of fossil fuels
What are the characterisitics of NOx?
NO: Colorless, odorless gas NO2: pungent, reddish-brown
Which pollutants do catalytic converters remove?
Nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide
What are the secondary pollutants in photochemical smog?
Ozone
What kind of air pollutants need sunlight in order to form?
Photochemical oxidants
How are photochemical smog and sulfurous smog different?
Photochemical smog is dominated by oxidants. Sukfurous smog is dominated by sulfur dioxide or sulfate components
What is the sequence of events that lead to acid deposition
Pollutants are released into the atmosphere, are transformed into secondary pollutants, continue to break down, eventually deposited through precipitation
What strategies have been used to reduce ground level pollutants?
Reduce or limit the use of the emitters. Restrict gasoline and lighter fluid, limit automobile use. Limit wood burning stoves, increase public transportation
What are some of the problems assosciated with brown smog?
Reduces lung function and causes lung symptoms. Degrading to plant surfaces. Damages plastic and rubber.
What are sources of particulate matter and its effects?
SOURCES: Combustion of coal, oil, diesel, and biofuels. Agriculture, road construction, activities that disrupt dirt, soil, or dust
How can people protect themselves against excessive UV exposure?
Stay clothed, wear sunscreen, limit prolonged exposure, find shade, wear sunglasses
What are the six criteria pollutants under the clean air act?
Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon monoxide, lead, ozone, particulate matter
Why is air pollution considered to be a global system?
The atmosphere is a major repository for pollution, and since it surrounds the whole globe, we must think of it as a global system
When is the thinning of the ozone layer the greatest?
The beginning of the evening when sunlight decreases. Ozone depletion august-november in Antarctic
Why is indoor air pollution a problem?
The building is a closed system so the pollutants can build up and the occupants can be harmed
Why are sulfates considered to be secondary pollutants?
Their primary pollutants are released into the air and react with water and oxygen to create secondary pollutants
What is the purpose of the sulfur allowance provision in the Acid Rain Program of the Clean Air Act?
To reduce the amount of SO2 emissions from factories by having allowances bought and sold on a public market.
What types of emissions need to be limited if we are going to control tropospheric ozone?
VOCs and NOx emissions
In what products would you find formaldehyde?
Variety of building products, pressed wood, carpeting glue.
Why is ground level ozone classified as a pollutant?
When VOCs are present, nitrogen oxide bonds with the VOCs instead of the ozone. This leads to ozone accumulation
How do CFCs affect ozone production?
When chlorine is presen, it can attach to an oxygen in an ozone molecule, breaking the bond between the atom and the molecule, and forming chlorine monoxide.
How can nitrogen oxide levels be reduced when burning coal?
burn temperatures must be reduced and oxygen limited.
How does photochemical smog form?
forms when NOx and VOCs react to sunlight
What pH indicates acid precipitation?
less than 5.6
What are the primary pollutants in photochemical smog?
nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides
What pollutants were targeted by early air pollution regulations?
sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide
