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AP environmental science > Air Pollution > Flashcards

Air Pollution Flashcards

(51 cards)

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1
Q

Pollution

A

Introduction of a substance or form of energy into the environment that can cause harm to the enviornment

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2
Q

Natural source

A

EX. Volcanic Ash (PM), CO2

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3
Q

Anthropogenic source

A

Fossil fuel emissions, sewage, excessive nutrients, heat

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4
Q

Point source

A

A single, identifiable source of a pollutant, exact source is known.
Easier to monitor+regulate (easy to clean)
EX. smoke stack, discharge pipe, leaking tank

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5
Q

Nonpoint source

A

Diffused and can therefore be difficult to identify, cannot be traced back to a single point of discharge. Nonpoint sources are harder to monitor and regulate. Many sources.
EX. spraying pesticides, runoff from large agricultural regions, urban runoff

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6
Q

Plume

A

The pattern a pollutant makes as it travels through the environment

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7
Q

Chemical composition

A

How toxic or harmful a pollutant is to living organisms

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8
Q

Persistence

A

How long a pollutant remains in its original form

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9
Q

Persistent

A

Does not break down
EX. DDT -> remains toxic

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10
Q

Non perisistent

A

Breaks down into less toxic or non toxic forms
EX: Hydrogen peroxide

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11
Q

Concentration

A

Amount of pollutant per volume (PPM, PPB)

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12
Q

Proactive stance

A

Prevents release of a pollutant.
Less expensive

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13
Q

Reactive stance

A

Cleanup after the release of a pollutant.
More expensive

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14
Q

Thermosphere

A

Thickest layer, 300 miles above surface, auroras occur here

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15
Q

Mesosphere

A

under thermosphere

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16
Q

Stratosphere

A

Ozone layer, O3

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17
Q

Troposphere

A

We live here
Weather, air we breathe, air pollution occurs here

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18
Q

Primary pollutants

A

Released directly into the atmosphere

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19
Q

Secondary pollutants

A

Form from primary pollutants when they react with something in the atmosphere.
EX: SO2 combines with H2O to become H2SO4

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20
Q

Particulate matter

A

Primary pollutant
Comes from combustion of fossil fuels, industry, construction
Causes respiratory problems, climate change: global COOLING

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21
Q

Carbon Monoxide

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A

Primary pollutant
Combustion of fossil fuels
Prevents delivery of O2 to blood and tissues

22
Q

Carbon dioxide

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A

Primary pollutant
Combustion of fossil fuels
Volcanic eruptions
Wildfires
Contributes to greenhouse effect and global climate change

23
Q

Sulfur dioxide

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A

Primary pollutant
Combustion of fossil fuels (coal+diesel release mercury)
Smelting
Volcanic eruptions
Toxic to plants and animals
Irritates respiratory system
Component of acid rain HNO3
Photochemical smog tropospheric (ground level) 03

24
Q

Volatile organic compounds

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A

Primary pollutant
Combustion of fossil fuels
Gas fumes, glues, paints, solvents
Toxic, can be carcinogenic
Prime agents of tropospheric/ground level O3 and photochemical smog

25
Heavy metals
Primary pollutant Combustion of fossil fuels (coal) Smelting Industry Damage to brain, kidney , and lungs Sensory impairment, disturbed sensation and lack of coordination
26
Industrial smog (grey air fog)
Smoke and fog, smoke pollution Sulfur oxides SOx and PM Often occurs in winter months when heating fuel combustion is high
27
Photochemical smog (brown air smog)
Several pollutants (mainly from auto exhaust) react with sunlight Nitrogen oxides and volatile compounds react with heat and sunlight to produce a variety of pollutants Nitric acid, ozone, PANs, formaldehyde Decreased visibility, harms human health by irritating the respiratory system, skin and eyes, damages vegetation Forms in urban areas
28
Normal conditions
Warmer air at surface, pollutants rise and dissipate When it rises, it takes the pollutants with it and disperses it
29
Thermal/temperature inversion
The normal temperature gradient is altered as the air at the surface is cooler Cool air sinks and holds air pollution at the surface. A thermal inversion will trap pollution close to the ground
30
Los Angeles
Prone to inversions and smog Surrounded by mountains, so cold air gets stuck Poor air quality High automobile density and sunlight
31
Tropospheric ozone
Harmful at the surface Good up high, bad nearby Destroys chlorophyll in plants and makes them more susceptible to disease, harmful to lung tissue, respiratory Reaction that creates tropospheric ozone: car echause + sunlight
32
Wet deposition
Sulfuric and nitric acids in precipitation
33
Dry deposition
Sulfuric and nitric acid containing particles that settle out of air (PM)
34
Normal rainfall
Slightly acidic due to CO2 dissolving in H2O to form dilute carbonic acid 5.6 PH, anything below is acid rain
35
Acid deposition
Acidification of lakes and streams Acidification of soils Acid frees aluminum from soil Aluminum is toxic to plants
36
Buffering of lakes and soils
Soils with a parent material of limestone and marble can help neutralize acid rain
37
Ozone depletion in the stratosphere
Protective O3 is in the lower stratosphere The ozone layer is important to evolution and survival
38
Ozone depleting compounds
ODCs refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, aerosols, ETC
39
Location of Ozone thinning
Most thinning occurs in October, its Spring for the southern hemisphere Occurs due to polar stratospheric clouds
40
Effects of O3 depletion
More UV rays Decreased crop yield Kills phytoplankton Skin cancer, cataracts
41
Montreal Protocol
Banned CFCs
42
CFC substiutes
HFCs Ozone is healing
43
Negative feedback
Causes a system to change in the opposite direction, helps to maintain homeostasis/equilibrium Desirable
44
Positive feedback
Causes a system to change further in the same direction, tends to allow a system to run out of control
45
Atmosphere as a greenhouse
Earth's atmosphere Acts as a greenhouse Sunlight passes through as shortwave Energy is absorbed at the surface and reradiates as long wave rays (heat) Long wave radiation is captured and held by greenhouse gasses Global temperatures increase in the lower atmosphere
46
CO2
Combustion of fossil fuels Deforestation
47
Methane CH4
Fossil fuels burnings, Livestock (manure) Anaerobic decomposition- wetlands, rice paddies and landfills, release from permafrost
48
Nitrous oxide N2O
Combustion of fossil fuels, biomass, fertilizer Microbes break down fertilizer and add N2O to the atmosphere
49
CFCs
Reaction with O3 Cycle Long residence time in the atmosphere (15-200 years) cl as a catalyst Ozone depletion Old aerosol sprays, refrigerators, air conditioners
50
Keeling curve (Northern hemisphere)
Seasonal photosynthesis causes fluctuations
51
Rising sea levels
Thermal expansion: More volume Melting of ice sheets (ice on land): Melts+runs off

AP environmental science (4 decks)

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