Air and Air Pollution

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Air and Air Pollution
G. Tyler Millers Living in the
Environment MATES Chapter 17
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Key Concepts

• Structure and composition of the atmosphere

• Types and sources of outdoor air pollution

• Types, formation, and effects of smog

• Sources and effects of acid deposition

• Effects of air pollution

• Prevention and control of air pollution

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The Atmosphere

• Troposphere

• 78 N, 21 O

• Stratosphere

• Ozone layer

• Greenhouse effect

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Outdoor Air Pollution

• Primary pollutants

• Secondary pollutants

See Table 17-1 p. 420
See Table 17-2 p. 422
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Photochemical Smog

• Brown-air smog

• Photochemicalreaction

• Photochemicaloxidants

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Industrial Smog

• Gray-air smog

• Industrial smog

• Sulfuric acid

• Sulfur dioxide

• Particulates

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Temperature Inversions

• Subsidence inversion

• Radiation inversion

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Regional Outdoor Air Pollution from Acid
Deposition

• Acid deposition

• Wet deposition

• Dry deposition

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Acid Deposition in the US
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Acid Deposition and Humans

• Respiratory diseases

• Toxic metal leaching

• Decreased visibility

• Damage to structures, especially containing
  limestone

• Decreased productivity and profitability of
  fisheries, forests, and farms

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Acid Deposition and Aquatic Systems

• Fish declines

• Undesirable species

• Aluminum toxicity

• Acid shock

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Acid Deposition, Plants, and Soil

• Nutrient leaching

• Heavy metal release

• Weakens trees

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Indoor Air Pollution/Sick Building Syndrome
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Radon

• Radon-222

• 4 picocurie level

• Occurs in certain areas based on geology

• Associated with uranium and organic material in
  rock

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Effects of Air Pollution on Living Organisms and
Materials

• Damage to mucous membranes

• Respiratory diseases (see Fig. 17-19 p. 438)

• Damage to plant leaves and roots

• Reduction in primary productivity

• Deterioration of materials (See Table 17-3 p. 440)

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Solutions Preventing and Reducing Air Pollution

• Clean Air Act

• National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

• Primary and secondary standards

• Output control vs. input control

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Emission Reduction
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Reducing IndoorAir Pollution
Fig. 17-25 p. 443