Exam 3 Lecture Slide Content Flashcards
OZONE
Where does the ozone layer exist and what is its primary function?
The ozone layer primarily exists in the stratosphere and is used to block harmful incoming UV waves.
Where is ozone good and where is ozone harmful?
Ozone is good in the stratosphere but is harmful in the troposphere
What are the three chemical reactions that take place for ozone to be created?
Ozone exists in the stratosphere as a process of three fast chemical reactions driven by UV light:
-O2+hv (UV light)= 2O
-O+O2= O3
-O3+hv= O2+O
What are CFCs (Chloroflurocarbons)?
CFCs are halogen compounds designed to be inert in the troposphere- they are compounds that act as ideal refrigerants and propellants
What is the Halogen Depletion Hypothesis?
Halogen Depletion Hypothesis: Hypothesis that CFCs can make their way into the stratosphere where the process of photo disassociation frees the CL from the original CFC molecule; the CL then reacts with the O3 to reduce the overall amount in the atmosphere
What is photodissociation?
Chemical reaction in which molecules of a chemical compound are broken down by photons (a quantum of light or electromagnetic radiation)
How was the Halogen Depletion Hypothesis tested and verified?
A spy plane was used to scan evidence to test for three hypothesis-found that “Elevated levels of reactive chlorine in the ozone depleted zone – allowed them to reject the null hypothesis of no relationship between the two.”
What were the other two plausible hypothesis for ozone reduction in the stratosphere? Explain them
Find this lol
What are the two key roles of the southern Polar Vortex
-Traps gases like CFCs
-Forms polar stratospheric clouds where the breakdown of CFCs is accelerated
What are the three steps to the formation of the polar vortex
-cold winter air forms a vortex
-early spring brings more solar radiation which then causes photodissasociation freeing more Cls from CFCs
-In late spring, warmth returns, breaking up the polar vortex. Throughout the summer, ozone levels increase again as polar air mixes with the surroundings
What are the two reasons why ozone depletion is less of an issue in the North Pole?
-Land mass is unevenly distributed (weaker vortex, trapping less air)
-Comparatively warmer temperatures (limits the formation of polar winds forming the vortex and formation of stratospheric clouds)
What was the target set in the Montreal Protocol?
the Montreal Protocol set a target for 50% reduction in CFCs by 1997 (this number was not determined by anything) which jogged the industry into looking into alternatives.
What alternatives were used instead of CFCs and why?
HFCs and HCFCs were used instead which emulated similar cooling effects to CFCs but could be broken down in the troposphere.
POLLUTION
What is the difference between primary and secondary pollutants?
-Primary pollutants: Enter the atmosphere in a form that is harmful to life or things (ex.) carbon monoxide)
-Secondary pollutants: Formed in the atmosphere by the interaction between primary pollutants and sunlight and other gases (ex.) ozone)
What are the five important pollutants as discussed by Kaufman and Cleveland?
-Carbon monoxide (CO)
-Hydrocarbons (VOX)
-Particulates/Aerosols
-Nitrous Oxides (NOX)
-Ozone
What is carbon monoxide?
A product of imcomplete combustion of hydrocarbons
Produced in reactions where:
-oxygen is insufficient
-temperature is too low
-air supply rate is too fast
-mixing in combustion chamber is insufficient
What is the primary source of CO emissions? Secondary source?
-Mobile engines (on and off road) are responsible for 80% of emissions
-Stationary sources are responsible for only 6%
How does carbon monoxide harm species?
Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, an iron based compound that binds to oxygen, transporting oxygen to the bloodstream.
What are particulates?
Solid or condensed liquids that are suspended or floating in the atmosphere
What are aerosols?
Mixture of liquid and solid particulates- this term can be used interchangeably with particulates
What is the primary source of particulate pollution? Secondary?
-40% come from industry
-20% from road vehicles
What are the three variations of particle size for particulates?
-PM(10): between 10 and 2.5 microns (also called coarse particles)
-PM(2.5): below 2.5 (also called fine particles)
-PM(0.1): below 0.1 (ultra fine particles)
Important to note that the smaller the particle size, the more dangerous the particle is