AP Environmental Science
Chapter 19 Study Guide Air Pollution
1.Briefly describe the structure of the atmosphere being sure to include troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and the boundaries between each set of layers.
Troposphere – contains most primary and secondary pollutants, where most
weather takes place (tropopause) stratosphere- temp increases, contains ozone, air
becomes thinner,(stratopause) mesosphere – coldest layer, (mesopause)
thermosphere - warmest
2. Distinguish between primary pollutant and secondary pollutant; stationary source and
mobile source; photochemical smog and industrial smog. List 5 major types of outdoor
pollutants. List 5 major types of indoor air pollutants. photochemical smog (produced
in L.A. and many other urban areas around the world)
Typical urban air pollutants from man-made activities include nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter. All these
pollutants are called primary pollutants because they are emitted directly into the
atmosphere. Ozone is a secondary pollutant, formed in the air as a result of
chemical reactions.
Indoor Air: Common indoor air pollutants include carbon monoxide and nitrogen
dioxide from faulty gas heaters and cookers, carbon monoxide and benzene from
cigarette smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic
furnishings, vinyl flooring and paints. In addition, there are biological pollutants
such as dust mites and mold.
3. What are the potential health effects of both indoor air and outdoor air pollution?
Emphysema, bronchitis, asthma
4. Define acid deposition. Identify the level of risk that acid deposition creates for
ecological systems and for human health. What are 5 ways we can help reduce acid
deposition? What is one way to clean up high pH soils and lakes? . Sulfur Dioxide
(SO2) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are the primary cause for Acid Rain. They occur
when fossil fuel is burned like coal. It effects humans by and increase in asthma, dry
cough, headaches. 5 ways to reduces acid deposition: There are several options for
reducing SO2 emissions, 1)including using coal containing less sulfur,2) washing the coal,
3)and using devices called scrubbers to chemically remove the SO2 from the gases
leaving the smokestack. 4)Power plants can also switch fuels; for example burning natural
gas creates much less SO2 than burning coal. 5) power plants can use technologies that
don't burn fossil fuels
5. Briefly describe how ground level ozone affects human health and plants.
Ozone can make it more difficult for you to breathe as deeply and vigorously as
you normally would, aggravates asthma, inflame and damage lung tissue, reduce
the immune system. Ozone enters through the stomata or opening in leaf,
causes discoloration in plants.
6. Summarize the Clean Air Act. List 3 criticisms that environmentalists make about the
Clean Air Act. defines EPA's responsibilities for protecting and
improving the nation's air quality and the stratospheric ozone
layer. 1. Continuing to rely almost entirely on pollution cleanup rather than
pollution prevention
2. Failing to sharply increase the fuel-efficiency standards for cars
and
light trucks
3. Not requiring stricter emission standards for fine particulates
4. Giving municipal trash incinerators 30-year permits
5. Setting weak standards for air pollution emissions from
incinerators
6. Doing too little to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases.
7. What does the term Sick Building Syndrome mean?
It is a series of ailments associated with a person’s workplace or residence, includes:
headaches, coughing, sneezing, chronic fatigue, burning eyes.
8. What is the source of Radon and Lead? Which of these pollutants has is no longer a
issue for human health and why is it not an issue? –Radon- Product of Uranium decay,
underground wells and spaces, Lead- paint. Lead in paint has been removed in the
US and UK.
Air Pollution Test Review (Spring Break is right around the corner)
1. The combustion of one gallon of automobile fuel produces 6 pounds of carbon (in CO2).
Two autos are making a trip of 600 miles. The first auto gets 15 miles per gallon, and the
second gets 30 miles per gallon. Approximately how much less carbon (in CO2) will be
produced by the second auto on this trip? 600/15 = 40 gallons x 6 pounds of CO2 in 1
gallon = 240
600/30 = 20 x 6 pounds of CO2 in 1 gallon = 120 240 -120 = 120 pounds less
The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide increased from 280ppm in 1800 to
410ppm in 2009. What is the approximate percent increase in carbon dioxide
concentration from 1800 to 2009?
To calculate the percent increase in anything use the following formula:
((higher amount- lower amount)/original amount)) *100= percent increase
(410-280)/280= .4642857
x100%= 46.43%
2. What does the term anthropogenic mean? Resulting from human activity
3. What fossil fuel is the primary cause for very acidic rain in the northeastern United
States? This fossil fuel also releases large amounts of mercury when burned to produce
energy. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) are the primary cause for Acid
Rain. They occur when fossil fuel is burned like coal. There are wet and dry deposits.
The wet deposits occur as acidic rain, fog and snow. This falls back to Earth and enters
the soil and water deposits. It effects the pH of those causing fish and plants to die.
The dry deposits are acidic gases and particles that eventually fall back to Earth that
are deposited on cars, buildings or mix with rain. Most of the electricity that we use
comes from burning coal.
4. What device in a coal burning powerplant helps remove the particulate matter from
entering the atmosphere? Explain, how does this device work? Scrubbers remove much
of the SO2 before the gases leave the smokestack. Dry and Wet scrubbers are used.
Wet scrubbers remove allowing the gases to flow through a filter before entering the
atmosphere. Dry scrubbers work by sending the gas through a bag that traps the
particles and only allows the gas to leave.
5. What are the primary gases or direct products that are released from your cars tailpipe?
NO2, CO2 and VOC’s (volatile organic compounds)
6. In the stratosphere, what does the ozone layer do for humans? What element in the
CFC compound is catalyzing a chain reaction that breaks down ozone in the upper
atmosphere? Why is ozone near the surface considered undesirable? How does this
ground level ozone affect the human body? Protects from us from ultraviolet
radiation. The element in CFC’s is chlorine. Ozone at the Earth’s surface is a strong
oxidant and respiratory irritant.