Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Environmental Science > Ch. 16 > Flashcards

Ch. 16 Flashcards

(52 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

composition of the atmosphere (3)

A
  1. 78% nitrogen
  2. 21% oxygen
  3. 1% other (argon, CO2, methane, water vapor)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Layers of the atmosphere (4)

A
  1. troposphere
    • air pollution issues
  2. stratosphere
    • air pollution issues
    • Ozone layer: protects from UV rays
  3. mesosphere
  4. thermosphere
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

define pollution

A

addition of matter or energy that degrades the environment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

2 sources of pollutants

A
  1. natural

2. anthropogenic (human-produced)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

dense population centers and pollutants (3)

A
  • use large quantities of fossil fuels for manufacturing, transportation, and domestic activities
  • release large quantities of pollutants
  • high population density correlated with poor air quality
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

primary air pollutants

A

directly released from a source

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what does primary air pollutants include (5)

A
  1. carbon monoxide (CO)
  2. volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  3. particular matter (PM)
  4. sulfur dioxide (SO2)
  5. oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

secondary air pollutants

A

results from interaction of primary air pollutants in presence of sunlight

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what does secondary air pollutants include (4)

A
  1. Ozone (O3)
  2. particular matter (PM)
  3. oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
  4. peroxyacetyl nitrates (PAN)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How many pollutants has EPA established standards for?

A

6 “Criteria Pollutants”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

6 “criteria pollutants”

A
  1. carbon monoxide (CO)
  2. particular matter (PM)
  3. sulfur dioxide (SO2)
  4. nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
  5. lead (PB)
  6. Ozone (O3)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

hazardous air pollutants (HAPs or air toxics)

A

separate category of substances with higher toxicity (187 total HAPs)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

examples of HAPs (6)

A
  1. benzene
  2. methyl chloride
  3. perchloroethylene
  4. asbestos
  5. mercury
  6. dioxin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Formation of carbon monoxide (CO)

A

formed from combustion of fossil fuels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

impacts of CO (1)

A

binds to hemoglobin, reducing ability of blood to carry oxygen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

current status of CO

A

70% reduction for 1990-2009

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

particular matter (PM)

A

solid particles and liquid drops dispersed into atmosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

formation of PM10 (6)

A
  1. coarse particles
  2. dust from road travel
  3. agriculture
  4. construction
  5. industry
  6. smoke
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

formation of PM2.5 (2)

A
  • fine particles

- secondary pollutants such as sulfates and nitrates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

impacts of PM (2)

A
  1. reduced visibility

2. respiratory probs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Current status of PM10

Study These Flashcards
A

38% reduction for 1990-2009

22
Q

current status of PM2.5

Study These Flashcards
A

27% reduction for 2000-2009

23
Q

formation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) (2)

Study These Flashcards
A
  • formed from combustion of fossil fuels (coal)

- most SO2 generated by power plants

24
Q

Impacts of SO2 (3)

Study These Flashcards
A
  1. aggravates respiratory probs
  2. reacts with H2O and O2 to form acids
  3. can be inhaled or contribute to acid precipitation
25
current status of SO2
65% reduction for 1990-2009
26
formation of NO2 (2)
- nitrogen monoxide (NO) formed from combustion of fossil fuels - NO is converted into NO2 in the atmosphere
27
impacts of NO2 (4)
1. haze 2. acid precipitation 3. respiratory probs 4. components of photochemical smog
28
current status of NO2
40% reduction for 1990-2009
29
formation of lead (PB) (2)
- lead additives to gas and paint | - metal smelters and battery manufacturers
30
impacts of PB (3)
many health impacts including: - kidney damage - mental retardation
31
current status of PB (2)
1. lead has been removed from gas and paints | 2. 99.5% reduction in atmospheric lead concentration
32
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
hydrocarbons that evaporate easily
33
formation of VOCs
formed from combustion of fossil fuels and use of solvents
34
impacts of VOCs (2)
1. contrib to formation of photochemical smog | 2. some are hazardous air pollutants
35
current status of VOCs
43% reduction from 1990-2009
36
Ground-level Ozone (O3) and Photochemical Smog
"good up high, bad nearby"
37
O3
highly reactive secondary pollutant
38
Photochemical smog
- mixture of pollutants (O3, aldehydes, PAN) that result from interaction of NO2, NO, and VOCs in the presence of sunlight and warm temps - fog and smoke
39
Impacts of O3 and photochemical smog (3)
1. respiratory probs 2. damages plants 3. reduces agricultural yields
40
Current status of O3 and photochemical smog
21% reduction 1990-2009
41
where is photochemical smog most commonly found? (2)
1. cities with lots of car traffic, lots of sunlight, and warm temps 2. cities in valleys or close to mountain ranges (thermal inversions)
42
clean air act guidelines to controlling air pollution (6)
1. establish air quality standards 2. conduct periodic reviews of criteria pollutants 3. reduce emissions of acid rain precursors (SO2, NOx) 4. reduce emissions of pollutants which reduce visibility and generate haze 5. control toxic air pollutants 6. limit use of chemicals which damage stratospheric ozone layer
43
emission reductions that have improved air quality (3)
1. motor vehicles 2. particular matter 3. power plants
44
acid deposition (3)
- accumulation of acid-forming particles on a surface - wet deposition: rain, snow, fog - dry deposition: dry particles
45
sources of acid deposition (3)
1. natural and anthropogenic sources 2. SO2 - sulfuric acid 3. NOx - nitric acid
46
impacts of acid deposition on structures
limestone, wears away over time
47
impacts of acid deposition on terrestrial ecosystems
forest decline due to acidification of soils and presence of aluminum
48
impacts of acid deposition on aquatic ecosystems
reduction of species diversity due to acidic conditions and presence of aluminum
49
current status of acid deposition
reduction in SO2 and NOx emissions from motor vehicles and power plants have reduced acid precipitation
50
describe stratospheric ozone (2)
- absorbs 99% of UV energy from the sun - UV light has high energy content and is linked to: - skin cancer in humans - increased mutations in all organisms
51
depletion of O3 (2)
- CFCs react with O3 in atmosphere and deplete O3 layer | - CFCs are highly stable
52
Current status of O3 (2)
- production and use of CFCs has decreased significantly | - size of O3 hole appears to be stabalizing

Environmental Science (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions