Cars, factories, smokestacks, burning forests Burning fossil fuels
CO: Carbon Monoxide
Forms during combustion of carbon containing materials.
Problems: heart attacks, asthma, emphysema.
Nausea, dizziness, confusion, death!
CO2: Carbon Dioxide
93% forms naturally in C cycle. Rest from humans.
Problems: heat exhaustion, loss of food production
Car engines, coal power plants, lightening
Photochemical smog: citities
(NO) Nitric oxide Forms under high
temps w/combustion
(HNO3) Nitric acid Forms when NO2
reacts w/water vapor
Problems: irritate eyes. Nose, throat, lung conditons, lower visibility, stunt plant growth.
Coal and industrial plants, smelting, ASIAN BROWN CLOUD
(SO2 ): Sulfur Dioxide
Forms naturally: 1/3 sulfur cycle. 2/3 from human combustion.
Problems: In atm. Converts to aerosols.
(H2SO4): Sulfuric Acid
In aresols
Problems: reduce visibility, breathing problems, damage crops, water supplies, corrode metal, damage buildings.
Particulates◦ Suspended particulate matter (SPM) by EPA
Fine Ultrafine
◦Sources: 62% natural from dust, wildfires, sea salt.
◦38% from humans: cars, coal plants, factories, construction.
◦Human health and environmental impact
Photochemical smogPlants, wetlands, humans, cows, landfills, oil and natural gas wells.
(O3): Ozone Problems: respiratory
issues, lung and heart disease. Damages plants, rubber, fabrics, and paints.
(VOCs): Volatile organic compounds
Forms: naturally or exits in atmosphere. Comes from plants
CH4: Methane more harmful then CO2 at warming.
METHANE
Table 18-1, p. 470
Fig. 18-7, p. 471
In air, water, soil, plants, animals
Does not break down in the environment
Human health and environmental impact◦ Children most vulnerable ◦ Can cause death, mental retardation, paralysis
Reduction of lead (Pb)◦ Unleaded gasoline◦ Unleaded paint
Still problems◦ 15-18 million children have brain damage◦ Need global ban on lead in gasoline and paint
Fig. 18-8, p. 472
Chemical instruments
Satellites
Lasers and remote sensors
Biological indicators◦ Lichens
Fig. 18-A, p. 473
Chemical composition of industrial smog
Reduction of this smog in urban cities of the United States
China and smog◦ Human deaths◦ Need strong standards, especially for coal burning
Fig. 18-9, p. 474
Fig. 18-9, p. 474
Ammonium sulfate [(NH 4 )2SO4]Ammonia
(NH3)Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Water vapor (H2O)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
and carbon dioxide (CO2)
Sulfur trioxide (SO3)
Oxygen (O2)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Burning coal and oil
Oxygen (O2)
Sulfur (S) in coal and oilCarbon (C) in coal and oil
Fig. 18-10, p. 474
Photochemical Smog◦ Chemical composition◦ Sources
VOCs + NOx + Heat + Sunlight yields◦ Ground level O3 and other photochemical oxidants
◦ Aldehydes◦ Other secondary pollutants
Human health and environmental impact
Fig. 18-11, p. 475
Fig. 18-12, p. 475
Outdoor air pollution may be decreased by1. Settling of particles due to gravity2. Rain and snow3. Salty sea spray from the ocean4. Winds 5. Chemical reactions
Outdoor air pollution may be increased by1. Urban buildings2. Hills and mountains3. High temperatures4. Emissions of VOCs from certain trees and
plants 5. Grasshopper effect6. Temperature inversions
Warm air above cool air prevents mixing
Fig. 18-13, p. 476
Should construction of tall smokestacks be banned in an effort to promote greater emphasis on preventing air pollution and acid deposition? Explain.
Read Chapter 18 Pages 481-484