apes unit 7
Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates
(1) Emissions of SO2 and NOx are released into the air, where (2) the pollutants are transformed into acid particles that may be transported long distances. (3) These acid particles then fall to the earth as wet and dry deposition (dust, rain, snow, etc.) and (4) may cause harmful effects on soil, forests, streams, and lakes.
What is the difference between a primary and a secondary pollutant?
A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source. A secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such, but forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere.
Acid Rain
Acid rain and deposition is due to nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides from the anthropogenic and natural sources in the atmosphere Nitric oxides that cause acid deposition come from motor vehicles and coal-burning power plants. Sulfur dioxide that causes acid deposition come from coal-burning power plants. Acid deposition mainly affects communities that are downwind from coal burning power plants Acid rain and deposition can lead to the acidification of soils and bodies of water and corrosion of human-made structures Regional differences in soils and bedrock affect the impact that acid deposition has on the region- such as limestone bedrocks ability to neutralize the effect of acid rain on lakes and ponds
How does acid rain form
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.
Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates
Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground.
What are the steps of acid rain formation?
Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground
Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates
CO2 appears naturally in the atmosphere from sources such as respiration, decomposition, and volcanic eruptions There are a variety of natural sources of particulate matter
Describe a natural process that adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide is released from the interior of Earth during volcanic eruptions
Indoor Air Pollutants
Carbon monoxide is an indoor air pollutant that is classified as an asphyxiant Indoor air pollutants that are classified as particulates include asbestos, dust, and smoke Indoor air pollutants can come from natural sources, human-made sources, and combustion Common natural sources indoor air pollutants include radon, mold, and dust.
Indoor Air Pollutants
Common human-made indoor air pollutants include insulation, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from furniture, paneling and carpets; formaldehyde from building materials, furniture, upholstery, and carpeting; and lead from paints Common combustion air pollutant include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulates, and tobacco smoke Radon-222 is naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced by the decay of uranium found in some rocks and soils
In the figure above, the letters A , B , and C represent the different thermal layers present in an inversion. Which of the following shows the correct sequence of thermal layers as one moves vertically upwards from the surface of Earth?
Cool sea breeze → Warm → Cool
In a thermal inversion, the correct sequence of thermal layers as one moves vertically upwards from the surface of Earth
Cool sea breeze-> Warm-> Cool
Acid rain is associated with
Damage to tropical rainforests
List 3 ways to reduce the concentration of ground-0level ozone in the air of a city?
Decrease in the emissions of NOx Use alternative fuels Don't burn excessive trees carpool/walk/ride a bike
Which of the following would most likely reduce the concentration of ground level ozone in the air of a city?
Decrease in the emissions of nitrogen oxide
What is the difference between good ozone and bad ozone? What layer of the atmosphere is each located?
Good ozone is located in the stratosphere and shields us from harmful ultraviolet light. Bad ozone is located in the troposphere and contains pollution that is harmful to human health
Describe how the Clean Air Act helped reduce air pollution. What agency helps regulate the Clean Air Act?
Introduced regulatory measures to control the amount of lead in fuels EPA
Reduction of Air Pollutants
Methods to reduce air pollutants include regulatory practices, conservation practices and alternative fuels use A vapor recovery nozzle is an air pollution control device on a gasoline pump that prevents fumes from escaping into the atmosphere when fueling a car A catalyst converter is an air pollution control device for internal combustion engines that converts pollutants (CO, NOx, and hydrocarbons) in exhaust into less harmful molecules (CO2, N2, O2, and H2O)
How does bad ozone form? What components are necessary?
NOx+VOCs+Sunlight/UV/heat= Photochemical smog
What are sources of NOx? What are sources of VOCs?
NOx- car emissions, industrial factories VOCs-trees, paints
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is sound at levels enough to cause physiological stress and hearing loss Sources of noise pollution in urban areas include transportation, construction, and domestic and industrial activity Some effects of noise pollution on animals in ecological systems include stress, that masking of sounds to communicate to hunt, damaged hearing, and causing changed to migratory routes
Photochemical Smog
Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms, often referenced as O3. Ozone is formed when heat and sunlight cause chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOX ) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), which are also known as Hydrocarbons. This reaction can occur both near the ground and high in the atmosphere. Remember that ozone is "Good Up High, Bad Nearby."Stratospheric ozone is good ozone. It forms about 10-30 miles above the Earth's surface and forms a protective layer, called the ozone layer, that shields us from too much of the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV). Ground-level ozone is bad. Ozone harms human health and the environment when it forms close to the ground. The most significant things that cause ground-level ozone to form are: NOX and VOCs (from mobile source emissions and industrial processes ), and UV radiation (from sunlight).
Photochemical Smog 2
Photochemical smog is formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic hydrocarbons react with heat and sunlight to produce a variety of pollutants Many environmental factors affect the formation of photochemical smog. Nitrogen oxide is produced early in the day. Ozone concentrations peak in the afternoon and are higher in the summer because ozone is produced by chemical reactions between oxygen and sunlight.Volatile organic Compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde and gasoline, evaporate or sublimate at room temperature. Trees are a naturals source of VOCs Photochemical smog often forms in urban areas because of the large number of motor vehicles there Photochemical smog can be reduced through the reduction of nitrogen oxide and VOCs Photochemical smog can harm human health in several ways, including causing causing respiratory problems and eye irritation
What are primary and secondary pollutants? Give an example of each.
Primary air pollutants: Pollutants that are formed and emitted directly from particular sources. Examples are particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide. Secondary air pollutants: Pollutants that are formed in the lower atmosphere by chemical reactions.
Indoor Air Pollutants
Radon gas can infiltrate homes as it moves up through the soil and enters home via the basement or cracks in the walls or foundation. It is also dissolved in groundwater that enters home through a well Exposure to radon gas can lead to radon induced lung cancer, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America
Where is good ozone located?
Stratosphere
Explain why a thermal inversion tends to concentrate pollutants in the air layer closest to the Earth's surface?
The air layer closest to the Earth's surface is denser than the layer above it
Based on the layers in the diagram, which of the following best explains why a thermal inversion tends to concentrate pollutants in the air layer closest to the Earth's surface?
The air layer closest to the Earth's surface is denser than the layer above it.
What process leads to acid rain?
The burning of fossil fuels
What are the steps in stratospheric ozone depletion?
The stratospheric ozone depletion process begins with the emission of halogen source gases by human activities and natural processes. Those emitted by human activities are also called ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). Subsequent steps are accumulation, transport, conversion, chemical reaction, and removal.
Describe what a thermal inversion is and its effects of air pollution.
Thermal inversion is a natural process that reverses the temperature gradient in earth's atmosphere, going from cool,warm,cooler. The cool dense air doesn't mix with the warm air above it, therefore the air pollutants are trapped close to the earth surface and cannot escape.
List some environmental factors that contribute to the formation of photochemical smog.
Time of day Time of year/season Proximity to a city
What are the steps in tropospheric ozone formation?
Tropospheric ozone is formed by the interaction of sunlight, particularly ultraviolet light, with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which are emitted by automobile tailpipes and smokestacks. In urban areas, high ozone levels usually occur during warm summer months.
Write down what the acronym VOCs stands for
Volatile Organic Compounds
Which of the following sources should be examined in a study to determine the impact of a geologic source on levels of CO2 in the atmosphere
Volcanoes
Reduction of Air Pollutants
Wet and dry scrubbers are air pollution control devices that remove particulates and/or gases from industrial exhaust streams Methods to reduce air pollution from coal- burning power plants include scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators
Atmospheric CO2 and Particulates
While a small portion of the SO2 and NOX that cause acid rain is from natural sources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuels. The major sources of SO2 and NOX in the atmosphere are: Burning of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Two thirds of SO2 and one fourth of NOX in the atmosphere come from electric power generators. Vehicles and heavy equipment. Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries. Winds can blow SO2 and NOX over long distances and across borders making acid rain a problem for everyone and not just those who live close to these sources.
Whats does stratospheric ozone provide?
a naturally-occurring gas that filters the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This is typically regarded as 'good' ozone since it reduces the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation
What are the primary components for photochemical smog to form?
ground-level ozone and particulate matter. nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), PAN (peroxyacetylnitrate), and chemical compounds that contain the -CHO group (aldehydes).
Which agency regulates the emissions of pollutants that endanger public health and welfare?
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Ozone is a molecule made up of how many oxygen atoms?
three
There are natural sources of VOCs
true
If the air layers in the diagram were relabeled to illustrate normal atmospheric conditions, the correct labeling from the air layer closest to the Earth's surface to the one farthest from the Earth's surface would be
warm air, cool air, cooler air Under normal conditions, the air layer closest to the Earth's surface is the warmest, and the temperature decreases with increasing altitude.
