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