AIR
POLLUTANTS!!
SO2: A corrosive
gas and a respiratory irritant that comes mostly from combustion of fuels such
as coal and oil. SO2 can also be released during volcanic eruptions and in
smaller quantities during forest fires.
NOx: (NO) an
odor and colorless gas, or (NO2) a very smelly reddish-brown gas- the most
common sources of the pollutants are motor vehicles and stationary fossil fuel
combustion and forest fires and lightning. NOx is part of the forming
tropospheric ozone and NOx is a component of photochemical smog.
CO: is a
colorless and odorless gas that is formed during the combustion of matter, and is a common
emission in vehicle exhaust. Carbon monoxide can be a VERY dangerous indoor air
pollutant when exhaust systems on natural gas heaters malfunction and where
there may be poor ventilation.
PM: is
solid/liquid particles suspended in to the air. They come from the combustion
of animal manure, wood and other biofuels, coal, oil, and gasoline, or from
road dust and rock-crushing operations. Natural sources include volcanoes,
forest fires, and dust storms. Particles of 2.5µm and smaller are a great
health concern because they deposit deeply within the respiratory tract and
tend to be composed of more toxic substances than particles in larger ranges.
Pb: a
trace metal that occurs in rocks and soils. Way back when, when small
concentrations were added to gasoline (this is why we have “unleaded” gasoline
now), lead compounds were released into the air, traveled with the prevailing
winds, and was deposited on the ground by rain/snow. These emissions can be
toxic to the central nervous system especially in young children.
O3: the
most abundant and most frequently measured photochemical oxidant in the
troposphere. Tropospheric ozone is harmful to both plants and animals and
causes respiratory inflammations such as asthma.
VOC: compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen bonds(hydrocarbons) like
gasoline, lighter fluid, dry-cleaning fluid, oil-based paints, and perfumes.
They give off a strong aroma and play an important role in the formation of
photochemical oxidants, they have the potential to be harmful.
Hg: is a trace metal, found in coal and oil, that is toxic to the
central nervous system of humans and other organisms.
CO2: is colorless, odorless gas that is formed during the complete
combustion of most matter, including fossil fuels and biomass.
Smog (sulfurous and photochemical): a combination of smoke and fog, and is
partly responsible for the hazy view and reduced sunlight observed in many
cities. Photochemical smog is dominated by oxidants such as ozone and is
sometimes called "Los Angeles"-type smog, or brown smog.
Sulfurous smog is dominated by sulfur dioxide and sulfate compounds and is
sometimes called London-type smog,
or gray smog.
Indoor Pollutants! (ewww!)
Asbestos- long, thin, fibrous
silicate mineral with insulating properties, which can cause cancer when
inhaled as well as other respiratory diseases.
Radon 222- is a radioactive gas that
occurs naturally from the decay of uranium, and it exists in granitic and some
other rocks and soils in may parts of the world
VOCs- an organic compound that
evaporates at typical atmospheric temperatures, these compounds are found in
building materials, furniture, and other home products such as glues and
paints. One of the most toxic VOCs is formaldehyde, which can cause irritation
or even cause cancer in laboratory animals.
Greenhouse Gases- cause a change in global climate
Water Vapor- absorbs more infrared
radiation than any other compound, but does not persist as long as the others.
CO2- Carbon Dioxide, more abundant
than the other greenhouse gases
CH4- Methane, 25x higher global
warming potential than CO2
N2O- Nitrous Oxide, 300x higher
global warming potential than CO2
CFCs- Chloroflourocarbons do not
occur naturally in the environment and are the sole product of anthropogenic
creation/use. 13,000x higher global warming potential than CO2
Connections:
Coral reefs provide a rich biodiversity, which is perfect for
recreational and commercial fishing. Coral reefs are very beautiful therefore
they attract a lot of tourism- Florida Keys ( a famous coral reef location) is
estimated to generate more than $1.6 billion in revenues every year! As
oceans absorb more carbon dioxide, oceans face rising acidic levels, or ocean
acidification, which inhibits the coral's ability to form the base of the reef
through calcification. Some conservation
efforts include expanding the ocean water/coral reef testing to include a
monitoring ocean acidification and reducing water pollution and implementing
local restrictions on tourism and other means of harming the reefs.
Ozone Discussion!
Without
the stratospheric ozone humans would be susceptible to sun burns, higher levels
of skin cancer, and eye damage! (Dun dun dunn!!) The Tropospheric ozone has
been shown to contribute to a number of problems in the natural world, to
exacerbate asthma and breathing difficulties in humans, and to even cause
cancer. Through the process shown in the image, oxygen is being converted into
ozone (O3) in the presence of ultraviolet radiation.
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