Chemistry of Atmosphere

Question 1

What are the Geochemical sources of trace particles in the atmosphere

Answer 1

1) Wind blown are dust (chemically unreactive)
2) Sea spray (salt, chemically reactive)
3) Volcanoes (ash, gases like SO2, and CO2).
4) Incoming Meteors

Question 2

How is HCL created in the atmosphere naturally?

Answer 2

When NaCl released by sea spray absorbs moisture, it reacts with H2SO4 and create HCL and NaHSO4

Question 3

What are the biologcal sources of trace substances in the atmosphere?

Answer 3

Forests. Urea in soil reacts with h2o to form NH3. Reacts with H+ ions to form Nh4+. Reacts with ocygen (by nitrosomonas) to form byproduct N2O (nitrous oxide)

Question 4

How is nitric acid formed naturally in the atmosphere?

Answer 4

O3 + hv → O2 + O:
O + H2O → 2OH
NO2 + OH → HNO3 (nitric acid)

Question 5

What is the shelf life of the following substances?
i) CO2
ii) CH4
iii) NO2
iv) N2O
V) NO
Vi) NH3
vii) SO2

Answer 5

i) 4 years
ii) 4 years
iii) 4 days
iv) 20-30 days
v) 4 days
vi) 2 days
vii) 3-7 days