primary & secondary air pollutants
stratospheric ozone layer
a layer within the stratosphere in which the concentration of the ozone layer is much higher than at other altitudes within the stratosphere
Acidification
Increase in the concentration of acid
Greenhouse effect
Natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases
Temperature inversions
warm air traps the air pollution in the cool air
water vapor
water in the form of a gas
pH
The acidity or basic of a substance
Smog
smoke and fog
Methane
A gas produced by bacteria from hydrogen and carbon dioxide
Base
A substance that decreases the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution.
Acid
A substance that increases the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution.
CFC's
Chlorinated Fluorocarbons are chemicals that break down the ozone layer
Carbon monoxide
Colorless, odorless, poisounous gas produced by the combustion of of carbon or organic fuels.
Acid Precipitation
Conversion of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides to acids that return to Earth as rain, snow, or fog
greenhouse gases
Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, and ozone in the atmosphere which are involved in the greenhouse effect.
Volative organic compounds (VOCs)
Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature
particulate matter
Small particles or liquid droplets suspended in midair; considered an atmospheric pollutant.
Sulfur dioxide
a colorless toxic gas formed by burning sulfur in air.
secondary air pollutant
air pollutants formed when primary air pollutants react with one another or with other chemicals in the air
Nitrogen oxides
any of several oxides of nitrogen formed by the action of nitric acid on oxidizable materials; present in car exhausts.
Montreal Protocol
meeting in 1987 where a group of nations met in Canada and agreed to take steps to fight against Ozone Depletion-CFC's banned
Stratospheric ozone
ozone in the atmosphere that protects the earth from violent sun rays
Ground level ozone
ozone that is very dangerous and can possibly kill
primary air pollutant
pollutants that are produced by humans and nature