air pollution Flashcards
cause of london smog crisis?
- atmospheric inversion caused by anticyclone
why is atmosphere convenient to dispose of wastes?
fastest moving dynamic medium in the environment
what is a point source?
discrete and confined sources of air/water pollutants
- pipes or stacks
what is a mobile source?
moving sources of air pollution
- automobiles
what is an area source?
type of nonpoint air/water pollution that is diffused
- runoff/exhaust
what is a fugitive source?
stationary air pollution sources that generate pollutants from open spaces exposed to wind processes
- dirt road, surface mine
examples and causes of secondary pollutants?
formed when primary pollutants react with normal atmospheric compounds
- ozone
major sources of sulfur dioxide?
fossil fuels, industrial processes
effects of sulfur dioxide?
- corrosion
- damaged vegetation
- health issues
- acid rain
causes of acid rain?
reaction of sulfur and nitrogen oxides with water
effects of nitrogen dioxide?
- aggravates respiratory infections
- suppresses plant growth
- acid rain
why are airborne particulates a health hazard and where do they come from?
- harmful to lungs, especially <2.5µm
- comes from natural sources (volcanic eruptions, fires)
what are atmospheric inversions and how do they affect air quality?
- occurs when warm air overlies cold air and the stagnant air creates a cloud over the region
- traps air pollution
what smog consists of secondary air pollutants?
photochemical smog
types of smog?
- sulfurous
- photochemical
