Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following gases are primarily found in the Earth's atmosphere?
Which of the following gases are primarily found in the Earth's atmosphere?
What is the primary function of the atmosphere?
What is the primary function of the atmosphere?
What is the total mass of the Earth's atmosphere?
What is the total mass of the Earth's atmosphere?
What is the residence time of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere?
What is the residence time of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere?
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Which of the following is NOT a way that aerosols are formed?
Which of the following is NOT a way that aerosols are formed?
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Which of the following gases is considered a variable gas due to its fluctuations caused by both natural processes and human activities?
Which of the following gases is considered a variable gas due to its fluctuations caused by both natural processes and human activities?
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What percentage of the atmosphere below 80 km is made up of variable gases?
What percentage of the atmosphere below 80 km is made up of variable gases?
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What is the primary role of water vapor in the atmosphere?
What is the primary role of water vapor in the atmosphere?
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Which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
Which process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
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What is the core around which water can condense in clouds called?
What is the core around which water can condense in clouds called?
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How are aerosols removed from the atmosphere?
How are aerosols removed from the atmosphere?
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What is the primary focus of the air pollution course?
What is the primary focus of the air pollution course?
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Which topic is emphasized with the highest contact hours in the course structure?
Which topic is emphasized with the highest contact hours in the course structure?
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What percentage of the total assessment score is allocated to the final exam?
What percentage of the total assessment score is allocated to the final exam?
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How many mid-term exams are included in the assessment schedule?
How many mid-term exams are included in the assessment schedule?
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What are the two provided resources for the course?
What are the two provided resources for the course?
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Which of the following topics is covered with the least contact hours?
Which of the following topics is covered with the least contact hours?
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Besides exams, which of the following also contributes to the overall assessment score?
Besides exams, which of the following also contributes to the overall assessment score?
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What is a key area of study related to the dispersion of pollutants, that is covered in this course?
What is a key area of study related to the dispersion of pollutants, that is covered in this course?
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What is the primary function of the ozone layer?
What is the primary function of the ozone layer?
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Where is the ozone layer located?
Where is the ozone layer located?
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What impact do chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have on the ozone layer?
What impact do chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have on the ozone layer?
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What happens to meteors when they enter the mesosphere?
What happens to meteors when they enter the mesosphere?
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Which layer of the atmosphere is characterized by a temperature increase with altitude?
Which layer of the atmosphere is characterized by a temperature increase with altitude?
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Which of the following is NOT a chemical that contributes to ozone depletion?
Which of the following is NOT a chemical that contributes to ozone depletion?
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What characterizes the thermosphere?
What characterizes the thermosphere?
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What is the temperature characteristic of the mesosphere?
What is the temperature characteristic of the mesosphere?
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What is the height range of the troposphere at the poles?
What is the height range of the troposphere at the poles?
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What is the primary characteristic of the stratosphere?
What is the primary characteristic of the stratosphere?
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How does temperature change with altitude in the troposphere?
How does temperature change with altitude in the troposphere?
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What atmospheric phenomenon primarily occurs in the troposphere?
What atmospheric phenomenon primarily occurs in the troposphere?
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What happens to pressure as elevation increases?
What happens to pressure as elevation increases?
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What characteristic defines the thermosphere?
What characteristic defines the thermosphere?
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What is the composition of the homosphere primarily characterized by?
What is the composition of the homosphere primarily characterized by?
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Which statement accurately describes permanent gases in the atmosphere?
Which statement accurately describes permanent gases in the atmosphere?
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What defines the transition from the atmosphere to outer space?
What defines the transition from the atmosphere to outer space?
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Which of the following gases is considered chemically inert?
Which of the following gases is considered chemically inert?
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Which layer of the atmosphere does not significantly interest meteorologists?
Which layer of the atmosphere does not significantly interest meteorologists?
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Which gas is crucial for the existence of life on Earth due to its role in respiration?
Which gas is crucial for the existence of life on Earth due to its role in respiration?
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What is a key characteristic of the heterosphere compared to the homosphere?
What is a key characteristic of the heterosphere compared to the homosphere?
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Study Notes
Air Pollution and Meteorology Course (2010-1214 EPT)
- The course aims to give students an overview of air pollution, including air pollution meteorology, sources of pollution, pollutant fate and transport, effects of air pollution, ambient air monitoring, and pollution abatement.
- It covers regulatory models for estimating pollutant emissions and air concentrations.
- Meteorology significantly influences the scale and magnitude of pollutant impact on a specific location.
Course Content
- Atmosphere and its composition: (1 hour)
- Sources and scales of air pollution: (4 hours)
- Effects of air pollution on humans, animals, plants, and structures: (4 hours)
- Atmospheric chemistry and photochemical smog: (4 hours)
- Ambient air sampling, measurement, and analysis: (2 hours)
- Air pollution monitoring: (4 hours)
- Role of meteorology on air pollution: (4 hours)
- Air quality criteria: (4 hours)
- Emission and emission standards: (4 hours)
- Stack gas sampling and analysis: (4 hours)
- Dispersion of air pollutants: (4 hours)
- Emission inventory: (4 hours)
- Introduction to air pollution modeling: (2 hours)
Course Handouts
- Provided by the instructor.
- Environmental Pollution and Control, 4th Edition by J. J. Peirce, P. A. Vesilind, and R. Weiner.
Student Assessment Activities
- Quizzes: (4-5 weeks), 5%
- Mid Exams (2): (7-8 weeks, 14-15 weeks), 15% each
- Practical activities and practical exam: (7-8 weeks), 15%
- Attendance/class activities/assignments: Weekly, 10%
- Final Exam: (17th week), 40%
Course Main Objective
- Provide an overview of air pollution.
- Cover topics pertinent to the study of air pollution including: air pollution meteorology, sources of pollutants, pollutant fate and transport, effects of air pollution, ambient air monitoring, and pollution abatement.
- Discuss currently available regulatory models for estimating pollutant emissions and air concentrations.
Where to Look for Help
- Study guides and online helps.
- Daily quizzes.
- Ask your instructor.
Classroom Etiquette
- Turn off pagers and cell phones.
- Don't be late.
- Take out what you bring in.
- Talk to the instructor, not your neighbor.
- Attendance is mandatory.
Atmosphere and its Composition
- The atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding Earth, primarily oxygen and nitrogen.
- It protects Earth from harmful solar radiation and space debris, regulates temperature, and supports life.
Relevant Terms
- Atmosphere: The gases, droplets, and particles surrounding Earth's surface.
- Weather: Atmospheric conditions at a specific place and time.
- Climate: Long-term patterns and averages of weather conditions in a region.
- Climatology: The scientific study of climate.
- Homosphere: The lowest 80 km of the atmosphere, with constant relative abundance of permanent gases.
- Heterosphere: The higher atmosphere where gases are stratified based on weight.
Crazy Fact
- The total mass of the atmosphere is equivalent to 5.65 billion million tons.
Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere
- The atmosphere is composed of distinct layers, each with unique characteristics, including: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere.
Pressure
- Can be thought of as weight of air above you.
- Pressure decreases as elevation increases.
Layers of the Atmosphere:
- 1. Troposphere:*
- Extends up to 8-15 km above Earth's surface.
- Contains most of the atmosphere's mass, weather phenomena, clouds.
- Temperature decreases with altitude.
- 2. Stratosphere:*
- Extends from the troposphere to about 50 km.
- Contains the ozone layer, which absorbs UV radiation.
- Temperature increases with altitude. (Temperature inversion)
- 3. Mesosphere:*
- Extends from the stratosphere to about 85 km.
- The coldest layer of the atmosphere.
- Meteors burn up in this layer.
- Temperature decreases with altitude.
- 4. Thermosphere:*
- Extends from the mesosphere to about 600 km.
- Temperature increases significantly with altitude, reaching up to 2,500°C or higher.
- Contains the ionosphere, reflects radio waves to Earth.
- 5. Exosphere:*
- Extends from the thermosphere to about 10,000 km.
- The outermost layer, where atmospheric particles are sparse and can travel long distances.
- Transition between Earth's atmosphere and outer space; transition region.
Composition of the Atmosphere:
-
1. Permanent Gases:*
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Gases whose relative abundance remains constant within the homosphere.
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Account for about 99% of the atmospheric mass.
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Occur in constant proportion in the lowest 80 km of the atmosphere. Includes Nitrogen (N₂), Oxygen (O₂).
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Although molecules exchange, total concentration stays the same.
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2. Variable Gases:*
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Gases with amounts varying greatly in abundance (vertical, horizontal, seasonal).
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Account for less than 1% of the atmosphere below 80 km.
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Affect atmospheric behaviour considerably. Includes water vapor (H₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane, nitrous oxide, ozone (O₃).
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3. Aerosols:*
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Small solid particles or liquid droplets in the air.
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Formed by both natural and anthropogenic means (e.g. wind-generated dust, volcanic eruptions, sea spray, combustion).
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Have a relatively short residence time (days to weeks).
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Act as condensation nuclei for cloud formation.
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A summary chart on the Composition of the atmosphere near Earth's surface is available in the material.
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Description
This quiz tests your knowledge on air pollution and its interplay with meteorology. Topics include sources of pollution, effects on the environment, and air quality monitoring methods. Prepare to explore the intricate relationships between atmospheric conditions and pollutant behavior.
