Ap Environmental Science Study Guide Air Pollution
APES Study Guide
Air Pollution
Air Pollution (Endangered Global Commons)
Natural Air Pollutants Volcanoes sulfur oxides, particulates Forest Fires Carbon monoxides, carbon dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, particulates Wind storms Dust Living Plants Hydrocarbons, pollen Decaying plants Methane, hydrogen sulfide Sea Salt particulates
Major Air Pollutants
Carbon Monoxide From transportation Causes headache, dizziness, decreased tolerance to exercise
Sulfur oxides Coal fired power plants Asthma, bronchitis industry
Nitrogen Oxides Transportation, Coal fired lung irritation, bronchitis Power plants
Particulates Coal fired power plants Irritation of respiratory tract, cancer Industry
Hydrocarbons Transportation Unknown
Photochemical
Oxidants Transportation, coal fired Respiratory irritation, emphysems Power plants, industry
Components of fossil fuel Hydrocarbons when incompletely burned form: carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and water Hydrocarbons when completely burned form: carbon dioxide and water
Contaminants: sulfur---(heated)---Sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide
Mineral contaminant---(heated)…Particulates (e.g. lead and mercury)
Nitrogen gas----(heated)…Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide
Many of the pollutants react with solar energy and water to produce secondary pollutants, for example sulfur dioxide and water form sulfuric acid.
Photochemical smog- unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from power plants and automobiles react with sunlight to form secondary pollutants: ozone, formaldehyde, PAN. Ozone erodes rubber, irritates the respiratory system and damages plants.
Temperature inversion
Cleaner air Bag filter at electric power plants remove particulates Cyclone collector particulate removal- used in smaller industry Electrostatic precipitator removal of particulates at coal fired electric plants Spray collector, also called
Air Pollution
Air Pollution (Endangered Global Commons)
Natural Air Pollutants Volcanoes sulfur oxides, particulates Forest Fires Carbon monoxides, carbon dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, particulates Wind storms Dust Living Plants Hydrocarbons, pollen Decaying plants Methane, hydrogen sulfide Sea Salt particulates
Major Air Pollutants
Carbon Monoxide From transportation Causes headache, dizziness, decreased tolerance to exercise
Sulfur oxides Coal fired power plants Asthma, bronchitis industry
Nitrogen Oxides Transportation, Coal fired lung irritation, bronchitis Power plants
Particulates Coal fired power plants Irritation of respiratory tract, cancer Industry
Hydrocarbons Transportation Unknown
Photochemical
Oxidants Transportation, coal fired Respiratory irritation, emphysems Power plants, industry
Components of fossil fuel Hydrocarbons when incompletely burned form: carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and water Hydrocarbons when completely burned form: carbon dioxide and water
Contaminants: sulfur---(heated)---Sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide
Mineral contaminant---(heated)…Particulates (e.g. lead and mercury)
Nitrogen gas----(heated)…Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide
Many of the pollutants react with solar energy and water to produce secondary pollutants, for example sulfur dioxide and water form sulfuric acid.
Photochemical smog- unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides from power plants and automobiles react with sunlight to form secondary pollutants: ozone, formaldehyde, PAN. Ozone erodes rubber, irritates the respiratory system and damages plants.
Temperature inversion
Cleaner air Bag filter at electric power plants remove particulates Cyclone collector particulate removal- used in smaller industry Electrostatic precipitator removal of particulates at coal fired electric plants Spray collector, also called