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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 4. Pollution > Atmospheric Pollution > Flashcards

Atmospheric Pollution Flashcards

(62 cards)

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1
Q

What is atmospheric pollution?

A

the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or microorganisms into the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to harm plants, animals, and materials such as buildings, or alter ecosystems
- pollution in the atmosphere typically refers to the troposphere

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2
Q

What were the causes of the London Smog 1952?

A
  • domestic coal burning
  • temperature inversion = trapped particles and gases from factories too
  • industrial waste from the continent also brought by wind
  • cloudless = ground cooled, air condensed, got trapped
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3
Q

What are the
a) primary
b) secondary
pollutants from the London Smog?

A

a)
- 1,000 tonnes smoke particles
- 2,000 tonnes CO2
- 140 tonnes HCl
- 370 tonnes SO2

b)
- 14 tonnes fluorine compounds
- the SO2 converted into 800 tonnes of sulfuric acid

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4
Q

What were the health (not death) effects of the London Smog on people?

A
  • asthma
  • bronchitis
  • heart attacks
  • eye irritation
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5
Q

How many deaths were there in the London Smog 1952?

A
  • 4,700 direct
  • 12,000 early deaths in the 3 months after
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6
Q

What were the groups that were at the most risk in the London Smog 1952?

A
  • old people
  • children
  • those with cardiac/respiratory problems (asthma risk)
  • densely populated areas
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7
Q

What legislation was used after the London Smog 1952?

A

CLEAN AIR ACT 1956
- regulated dust/smoke/grit from domestic/commercial/industrial sources
- prohibits emission of ‘dark smoke’ from any chimney (fine particles produced by incomplete combustion)
- some areas weren’t allowed to emit smoke unless proved to be an authorised fuel
- increased electric and gas usage
- tall chimney stacks on power stations, filters and scrubbers on industrial smokestacks
- enforced smoke control areas where local authorities can tell homeowners to adapt to smokeless fireplaces

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8
Q

What are the industrial smoke pollution control measures?

A
  • electrostatic precipitators
  • cyclone separators
  • scrubbers
  • coal treatment
  • bag filters
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9
Q

What are the domestic smoke pollution control measures?

A

increased use of smokeless fuels e.g. natural gas, electricity

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10
Q

What are the transport smoke pollution control measures?

A
  • Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)
  • more efficient combustion technology e.g. turbochargers
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11
Q

How does more efficient combustion technology help smoke pollution control?

A

A lot of smoke particles are made of organic matter which has not completely burnt
- if more oxygen is supplied and efficiently mixed, the smoke particles can be completely burnt to gases

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12
Q

How effective has legislation been?

A

sulfur dioxide and smoke concentrations declined

SO2
- 1950s = 400 micrograms/cubic metre
- 1957-69 steep decline = 100

Smoke
- 1950s = 275
- 1957-69 steep decline = 30

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13
Q

How do electrostatic precipitators work?

Where are they commonly used?

A

FILTERLESS
Effluent gases passed through a chamber with many electrically charged wires or plates
- the smoke particles within the gases are attracted to the charged wires/plates and collect together
- as the particles accumulate they fall to the floor as ‘fly-ash’

Often used in coal-fired power stations

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14
Q

How do cyclone separators work?

A

Process based on same principles as vacuum cleaners. Removes particulate solids
- effluent gases forced to rotate in a cylindrical chamber by an induced centrifugal force throws the suspended particles to the outside surfaces of the chamber where they fall and collect - INCREASED SETTLING VELOCITY
- the clean gases are then discharged via a pipe from the centre of the cylinder

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15
Q

How does a scrubber work?

A
  • uses a fine water spray to wash out suspended solid particulate matter and dissolve soluble gaseous pollutants by bringing the gas stream into contact with the scrubbing liquid which facilitates transfer of contaminants
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16
Q

What is coal treatment?

A

heating coal allows the tar that causes smoke production to be drained off. This produces smokeless coal

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17
Q

What are bag filters?

A

remove smoke particles from effluent gases by trapping them on a fabric filter

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18
Q

How do Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) work?

A
  • fitted in exhaust pipes of diesel engines because diesel exhaust gases contain high levels of soot particles
  • filter captures particulate matter and burns the soot
  • traps up to 80% smoke particles
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19
Q

How do turbochargers work?

How common are they?

When are they useful?

A
  • enables more air (therefore more oxygen) to enter the combustion chamber which increases efficiency of combustion
  • recycles wasted energy from exhaust gas, offering:
  • better fuel economy
  • less CO2 emissions
  • better performance over a non-turbocharged engine
  • over 1/4 cars built are fitted with turbo chargers
  • diesel engines produce most smoke when the driver accelerates too quickly so too much fuel enters the engine for the amount of oxygen available to burn it
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20
Q

Why do atmospheric/airbourne pollutants behave differently to those in water/on ground?

A
  • rapid movement due to winds leads to dispersal over a large area, can be transboundary pollution
  • interaction with electromagnetic radiation such as UV or visible light from the Sun can cause chemical reactions to occur, leading to the production of secondary pollutants, which can have even greater effects and make things far more complicated
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21
Q

How does smoke form?

A

incomplete combustion of carbon based materials producing atmospheric particulates

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22
Q

How can we classify smoke?

A

By the size of the particles

PM10: particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter

PM5: particulate matter less than 5 microns in diameter

PM1: particulate matter less than 1 microns in diameter

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23
Q

Why is the particle size of smoke important? (NOT TO CLASSIFY)

A

smaller particles remain in the atmosphere for longer so they are more likely to be inhaled

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24
Q

What kinds of toxic chemicals can be found in smoke?

A
  • fluorides
  • aluminium
  • lead
  • acids
  • organic compounds e.g. phenol
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25
How can smoke react with other pollutants? Give an example
SYNERGISTICALLY e.g. sulfur dioxide impacts air quality, human health, climate
26
What are the main sources of smoke? Give an example
URBAN COMBUSTION: coal, diesel, general combustible wastes. - trucks, oil powered power stations RURAL COMBUSTION: crop waste, wood fuel, grasslands, forests in rural areas
27
What are the effects of smoke pollution on humans?
1. respiratory disease e.g. bronchitis 2. chemicals on/in particles kill cilia making it more difficult to clear inhaled particles/bacteria from lungs - increase risk of infections 3. some chemicals may be carcinogenic
28
What are the effects of smoke pollution on other living organisms (NOT HUMANS)?
- reduced photosynthesis as smoke blocks light - toxic substances in smoke particles e.g. heavy metals and acids - death
29
What are the effects of smoke pollution on non living objects?
1. particles damage buildings due to acids/organic solvents they may contain - cleaning dirty buildings = expensive so build up is more likely
30
What are the effects of smoke pollution on the climate?
1. large releases of smoke reduce temps because smoke = high albedo so light does not reach ground where it would have been absorbed and converted into heat 2. NUCLEAR WINTER' idea = big nuclear war would result in so much smoke reaching stratosphere that the Earth would cool significantly for several years - crop failure - livestock death - natural ecosystems disrupted 3. Ozone layer depleted by smoke in the stratosphere 4. because particles are small they can remain suspended in atmosphere for long periods, especially in stratosphere where there is no rain to wash it out
31
What is a smog?
When smoke and fog are present together
32
How does fog form?
when moist air is cooled until it reaches its dew point, water vapour condenses as airborne drops of water - temperature inversions make the formation of fog more likely
33
How can smog increase the negative effects of smoke pollution?
- smoke that is part of smog = easily inhaled - smog = very high albedo so temperature inversions can last for a long period of time allowing pollutant levels to rise to a high level
34
What is a photochemical smog?
pollution formed due to fuel burning products (mainly NOx and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)) react with UV light from the sun - has serious health implications (but it could be other primary and secondary pollutants)
35
Where do photochemical smogs occur most commonly?
hot countries with densely populated urban areas with lots of cars and industry - often in valleys
36
What are the stages of photochemical smog?
- tropospheric ozone formation - PANs formation
37
What is tropospheric ozone and what are the impacts of it? (PHOTOCHEMICAL SMOG)
it is a greenhouse gas and secondary pollutant formed when hydrocarbons and nitrous oxides react with UV light IMPACTS: - damages plants - affects agricultural production - 500,000 premature deaths per year - other issues in humans e.g. inflammatory lung injury, asthma and cancer
38
What are PANs? How do they form? What are the impacts?
secondary pollutants that form when NOx and oxygen react in sunlight - they are oxidants that are more stable than ozone, so can be transported further - serves as a courier for NOx and causes ozone formation in the troposphere IMPACTS: - kill plants - irritating to eyes and lungs e.g. bronchitis, asthma - toxic - increased risk of heart attacks - emphysema
38
What are the sources the primary pollutants that form: a) tropospheric ozone b) PANs
a) automobile tailpipes (exhausts), smokestacks. Unburnt hdrocarbons come from unburnt fuel in engine exhaust gases, fuel evaporating from fuel tanks and spillages b) factories, car exhausts, oil tanks, gas stations (kinda the same really)
38
How does NOx form?
when N and O from the air air drawn into fuel combustion engines then react with each other under the high temperature conditions in the engine - toxic at high concentrations, but mainly only reached in very polluted cities
39
40
40
Give examples of cities particularly prone photochemical smogs and why
LA, Mexico City, Paris, Beijing, Athens - topography (e.g. valley) - climate: sunny, temperature inversions are common - heavy vehicle use and congestion
41
Why is all rain slightly acidic and what is the average pH?
because CO2 in the atmos dissolves to produce a dilute solution of carbonic acid pH 5.6 - anything above this is ACID RAIN
41
What are the main gases involved in acid rain?
SULFUR DIOXIDE - dissolves in water to produce sulfurous acid - may be oxidised in the atmosphere by gases such as ozone to produce sulfur trioxide. SO3 is dissolved to produce sulfuric acid which is a much more powerful acid than sulfurous acid OXIDES OF NITROGEN - dissolve to produce nitrous and nitric acids
42
What other gases are involved in the creation of acid rain?
- hydrogen chloride dissolves to form hydrochloric acids - ozone is involved in the oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide, it also harms plants directly
42
What is the main source of: a) sulfur dioxide b) oxides of nitrogen c) ozone d) hydrogen chloride e) sulfur trioxide
a) combustion/oxidation of materials containing sulfur especially burning coal and smelting sulfide ores b) high temperature combustion especially in power stations and petrol and diesel internal combustion engines c) photochemical reactions involving NOx (secondary pollutant) d) combustion of coal and incineration of wastes containing chlorine e.g. PVC waste e) oxidation of sulfur dioxide by ozone
43
What are the impacts of acid rain on non-living things?
CORROSION OF METALS: damage to: - railways - railings - water pipes - pylons - overhead powerlines DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES: - acids dissolve surface layers and weaken stone structures of porous limestone
44
What are the direct impacts of acid rain on living organisms?
- low pH denatures proteins in cell membranes and inhibit enzyme action - most damage goes to tissues which have living cells exposed to the environment e.g. stomata cells and fish gills - dissolving of calcium compound in exoskeletons - breathing difficulties and increased frequency of respiratory problems caused by sulfur dioxide e.g. asthma attacks
45
What are the indirect effects of acid rain on living organisms?
INHIBITION OF ENZYME ACTION IN ROOT HAIR CELLS AND OTHER SOIL ORGS E.G. DECOMPOSERS/DETRITIVORES - due to toxic ions inhibiting cell action. - due to metal ions becoming more soluble at low pH, and acidic solutions produced by the rain leaches ions from the soil, reducing fertility - important plant nutrients lost first e.g. calcium and magnesium - then other ions mobilise that are normally adsorbed onto clay particles, they wouldn't normally take part in soil chemistry e.g. aluminium and lead - these toxic ions may be leached into rivers and lakes where they can harm aquatic organisms - also may affect human health e.g. lead = neurotoxin and aluminium associated with neurological disorders
46
How is acid rain caused?
1. Power stations, factories and cars cause pollution 2. chemicals like SO2 and NOx rise into the air 3. chemical changes produce acids 4. acid polluted air blown by wind 5. water droplets in the clouds become polluted 6. acid rain falls to the ground 7. water and soil become polluted with acid 8. trees and veg are polluted and may die
47
Which areas are most at risk from acid rain?
INDUSTRIAL AREAS/CITIES: emissions due to industry and cars etc LOWLAND AND EXPOSED AREAS: mountains would act as a windbreak WIND DIRECTION: increasing risk in some areas, decreasing in others Very hard to know for certain though
48
Give some specific examples of acid rain damage for: a) trees b) buildings c) forests d) fish e) lakes f) rivers
a) 60% trees in the Black Forest, Germany b) Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament c) Austria damage 1980 = 1,200km2, 1992 = over 30,000km2 d) Scotland may have suffered losses of up to £25 million per year through acid-infected fish in rivers/lakes/coastal waters e) 18,000 Swedish lakes badly poisoned, over 4,000 have no fish - Swedes identify Britain and other European countries as the source f) 18% increase in acidity of glacier fed rivers in Switzerland due to acid snow - industrial areas of Italy, Germany and France are blamed
49
Give some potential solutions to acid rain
1. Efficient cars 2. Clean sources of energy 3. Lead-free petrol 4. Improved power station efficiency
50
How are efficient cars a solution to acid rain?
cars manufacturers are developing energy-efficient engines and re-circulatory systems aimed to further reduce damaging exhaust emission
51
How are clean sources of energy a solution to acid rain?
energy policies that favour the replacement of coal-fired power stations by more environmentally friendly power sources
52
How is lead-free petrol a solution to acid rain?
major factor in reducing exhaust emissions
53
How is improved power station efficiency a solution to acid rain?
new power station boilers can reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by containing sulfur in ash rather than releasing it to the amosphere
54
What the biotic indicator for acid rain?
- intolerant to acidic conditions and pollution, specifically SO2 and acid rain - their size, state of health, abundance and diversity may be used to monitor acid rain - they only live in very specific conditions
55
What is a biotic indicator?
species which have a narrow range of tolerance and can only live in very specific conditions, so they can be used to show small changes in the environments in which they live
56
What is lichen?
a partnership between fungi and algae FUNGI = the structure ALGAE = the photosynthesis which the fungi cannot do on it's own which produces sugars which the fungi needs
57
What are the two categories of lichen which can be used as biotic indicators for pollution?
CRUSTY LICHENS - more tolerant of polluted air, wider range of tolerance e.g. Stonewall rim lichen FRILLY/SHRUBBY/LEAFY - cleaner air species, not tolerant e.g. Beard lichen

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 4. Pollution (2 decks)

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