Download APES Chapter 15---APES Chapter 15-----APES Chapter 15 and more Exams Advanced Education in PDF only on Docsity!
APES Chapter 15
air pollution - correct answer the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or microorganisms into the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to harm plants, animals, materials (buildings), or alter ecosystems ground-level pollution - correct answer air pollution that occurs in the troposphere, the first 16 km (10 miles) above Earth's surface sulfur dioxide (SO2) - correct answer corrosive gas that occurs anthropogenically when sulfur combines with oxygen during combustion of coal and oil; is a respiratory irritant which can harm plant tissues and form sulfuric acid in the atmosphere nitrogen oxides (NOX: NO, NO2) - correct answer either colorless or reddish brown gases that occur anthropogenically with any type of combustion (fossil fuel, wood, biomass); are respiratory irritants and a precursor to ozone (photochemical smog), and can form nitric acid in the atmosphere carbon monoxide (CO) - correct answer colorless gas that occurs anthropogenically with incomplete combustion of any kind; common in vehicle exhaust/combustion processes, leads to indoor air pollution and death at high concentrations carbon dioxide (C02) - correct answer colorless gas that occurs anthropogenically with combusition of fossil fuels and clearing of land; alters climate and ecosystems by increasing greenhouse gas concentrations particulate matter (PM: PM10, PM25) - correct answer solid or liquid particles suspended in air due to all types of combustion and dust mobilization; absorbs and scatters light; creates respiratory/lung/heart problems and contributes to haze and smog haze - correct answer reduced visibility, mostly due to PM but also contributed to by ozone and photochemical oxidants
photochemical oxidants - correct answer air pollutants formed as a result of sunlight acting on compounds such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide (tropospheric) ozone (03) - correct answer secondary pollutant fromed by combination of sunlight, water, oxygen, VOCs, and NOX; reduces lung/respiratory function, harmful to tissues, and damages construction materials smog - correct answer mixture of oxidants and particulate matter, which occurs when photochemical oxidants increase the concentrations of particulate matter, scattering light and reducing visibility photochemical smog - correct answer "Los Angeles-type smog" or "brown smog" dominated by oxidants such as ozone sulfurous smog - correct answer "London-type smog" or "grey smog" dominated by sulfur dioxide and sulfate compounds atmospheric brown cloud - correct answer combination of PM and ozone which is brownish or black due to the carbon particles and/or NO2 it attracts; observed in cities and regions such as Asia lead (Pb) - correct answer trace metal found in gasoline, oil, coal, and old paint; impairs central nervous system and affects learning/intelligence (especially in small children) mercury (Hg) - correct answer trace metal found in oil and especially coal, as well as the atmosphere and water due to mining/combustion; impairs central nervous system and bioaccumulates in the food chain due to poisoned fish volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - correct answer organic compounds that become vapors at typical atmospheric termperatures; caused by evaporation of fuels, solvents, paints, and improper combustion of gasoline; usually hydrocarbons found in compounds that release a strong aroma, not a criteria air pollutant, but is a precursor to ozone/photochemical oxidant formation
electrostatic precipitator - correct answer air pollution control device which negatively charges particles, which are then attracted to a positively charged plate, where they are held until removal and disposal scrubber - correct answer air pollution control device where particles are "scrubbed" from the exhaust stream by water droplets; the water-particle "sludge" is collected and processed for disposal; also used to reduce SO2 emissions, and sometimes ionizes particles to improve efficiency choroflourocarbons (CFCs) - correct answer family of organic compounds ideal for use in refrigeration/AC/aerosols/blowing agents, which are released Montreal Protocol on Substances That Depelete the Ozone Layer (1987) - correct answer 24 countries aggreed to reduce CFC production 50 percent by 2000, and resolved to work towards a solution to restore the ozone layer (addressed 96 ozone- depleting compounds) asbestos - correct answer long, thin, fibrous silicate mineral with insulating properties; can cause respiratory diseases such as asbestosis and lung cancer to a) miners and b) those living with old/damaged fibers in the walls carbon monoxide (as an indoor air pollutant) - correct answer binds with hemoglobin more efficiently than oxygen, interfering with oxygen transport and eventually leading to oxygen deprivation in the brain; caused by malfunctioning exhaust systems, colorless/odorless so builds up discreetly radon - correct answer Radon-222 in granitic rocks/soils is seeped into buildings through cracks in foundation or found in contaminated drinking water, decays to Polonium-210; both the radon and the polonium attaches to particles and is inhaled, causing severe lung cancer VOCs in home products - correct answer products may release VOCs such as formaldehyde, which leads to breathing difficulties/asthma and may even be a human carcinogen (building materials, furniture, glue/paints, cleaning products, plastics/fabrics, etc.)
sick building syndrome - correct answer a buildup of toxic compounds and pollutants in an airtight space; seen in newer buildings with good insulation and tight seals against air leaks (trade-off between energy conservation/indoor air pollution); caused by faulty ventilation, indoor chemical contamination, outdoor chemical contamination, and biological contamination BioLite stove - correct answer physically separates solid fuel from gases and allows stove to burn only the gases; a small fan moves air through stove at rate that ensures complete combustion --> more efficient burn, less fuel use, less release of CO and PM air to-air-heat exchangers - correct answer ... Chattanooga, Tennessee - correct answer city which had third worst particulate pollution in the country and high levels of respiratory disease due to manufacturing/industry; pollution caught in a bowl formed by surrounding mountains 1969: Air Pollution Control Ordinance; controlled SOX emissions, permits for open burning, regulations on odors/dust/visible automobile emissions, capped fuel sulfur content, and monitored ordinances To continue clean sustainability: recycling program (vs. waste incinerator), public/private fleet of electric buses 1997: Early Action Compact; improved ozone parts per billion in return for not being designated a nonattainment area; public/private sectors work together, people are educated to limit O3 production 2007: achieved 0.08 ppb; but now EPA has lowered to 0. SUMMARY: Government, people, and business must work together Human Health, Welfare - correct answer The Clean Air Act's amendments control pollutants that a) harm the population including the children, elderly, and sensitive populations, and b) damages visibility, crops, vegetation, animals, ecosystems, and buildings Black Triangle (German, Poland, Czech Republic) - correct answer combustion of high-sulfur content coal ("brown coal," lignite) which provides the fuel for power plants has caused this area to become one of the world's most polluted; respiratory illness and forest ecosystem damage has become apparent in the past 25 years
