Air and Air Pollution Chapter 17

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Air and Air PollutionChapter 17
I thought I saw a blue jay this morning. But
the smog was so bad that it turned out to be a
cardinal holding its breath. Michael J. Cohen
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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

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Photochemical Smog

• Photochemical reaction
• Brown-air smog
• Photochemical oxidants

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Industrial Smog

• Industrial smog
• Sulfuric acid
• Sulfur dioxide
• Particulates
• Gray-air smog

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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
• Damage to plant leaves and roots
• Reduction in primary productivity
• Deterioration of materials

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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 Indoor Air Pollution