40 Questions
What is air pollution defined as?
The presence of one or more contaminants in the atmosphere that are injurious to human beings, plants, and animals
What is a major role of air pollution according to the text?
Increasing premature deaths throughout the world
What are the two main categories of air pollution sources?
Natural and man-made
What is an example of a natural source of air pollution?
Volcanic eruption
Which of the following is a man-made source of air pollution?
Industries
What is a classification of air pollutants?
Liquid, solid, and gas
What is a consequence of air pollution according to the text?
Global climate change
Which organization reported on air pollution in 2019?
WHO
What is environmental science?
An interdisciplinary field that studies the environment
What does the term 'ecosystem' derive from?
The Greek word for 'study of home'
What is the main characteristic of an ecosystem?
A group of organisms interacting with their physical environment
What percentage of the world's land area is occupied by forests?
40%
What is an example of a terrestrial ecosystem?
Grassland ecosystem
What is the main characteristic of a grassland ecosystem?
Large areas of grass with scattered trees
What is the percentage of the world's land area occupied by grasslands?
20%
What is an example of an aquatic ecosystem?
Aquatic ecosystem
What is a major environmental effect of sulfur dioxide emissions?
Damage to trees, soils, and aquatic life
According to the WHO, what percentage of cities in the Americas saw a fall in PM pollution between 2010 and 2016?
More than 57%
What is a common source of lead in the environment?
Metal processing and piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded aviation gasoline
What are the health effects of ground-level ozone?
Decrease in lung function and coughing
What is a method to control air pollution mentioned in the text?
Planting trees along busy streets
What is the purpose of a catalytic converter?
To control the emissions of CO and hydrocarbons
What type of device can be used to remove particulates from a gas stream?
All of the above
What is the principle of operation of a cyclone separator?
Inertia separation
What percentage of energy is lost in the form of heat as it flows through different trophic levels?
90%
What is the primary role of nutrients in ecosystems?
To assist organisms in surviving, growing, and decomposing
What is the primary component of all organic compounds?
Carbon
What is the process by which plants take up CO2 from the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis
What is the primary source of nitrogen in the atmosphere?
Nitrogen gas (N2)
What happens to the carbon compounds in the soil after decomposition?
They are used by plants
What is the process by which carbon is returned to the atmosphere from plants and animals?
Respiration
What is the result of the cycling of nutrients in an ecosystem?
Nutrients are cycled again and again in the ecosystem
What is the primary source of primary pollutants?
The source that releases them directly into the air
Which of the following is an example of a secondary pollutant?
Ground-level ozone
What is the major source of indoor air pollution according to the World Health Organization (WHO)?
Radon gas emitted from building materials
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
A primary pollutant emitted from the incomplete combustion of fuel
Which of the following is NOT a primary pollutant?
Ground-level ozone
What is the major health risk associated with indoor air pollution?
400,000 deaths per year in the U.S.
What is the source of radon gas in indoor air pollution?
Building materials like bricks, concrete, etc.
What is the major cause of indoor air pollution?
All of the above
Study Notes
Air Pollution
- Air pollution is one of the most concerning problems and has a major role in global climate change and premature deaths worldwide.
- Air pollution refers to the introduction of substances into the atmosphere that have harmful effects on humans, other living organisms, and the environment.
- Sources of air pollution can be divided into two categories: natural (e.g., volcanic eruption, forest fires) and man-made (e.g., automobiles, thermal power plants, industries, burning of fossil fuels).
Types of Air Pollutants
- Primary pollutants: released directly from the source into the air (e.g., carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, particulate matter, toxic metals).
- Secondary pollutants: produced through reactions between primary pollutants and normal atmospheric compounds (e.g., ground-level ozone, sulfuric acid, nitric acid).
Indoor Air Pollution
- Indoor air generally contains higher concentrations of toxic pollutants than outdoor air.
- Examples of indoor air pollutants: radon gas, burning of fuels in the kitchen, smoking.
Common Pollutants
- Carbon Monoxide (CO): a toxic gas emitted from combustion processes, can cause environmental damage and health problems.
- Lead: a metal found naturally in the environment and in manufactured products, can damage the nervous system and cause heart problems.
- Ground-level ozone (O3): a reactive oxidant gas created by the interaction of sunlight, heat, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, can cause respiratory problems and damage vegetation.
Controlling Air Pollution
- Use unleaded gasoline, biodiesel, and low-sulfur fuels.
- Plant trees along busy streets to reduce particulates, CO, and noise.
- Situate industries outside the city.
- Use catalytic converters to control emissions of CO and hydrocarbons.
- Implement mechanical devices like electrostatic precipitators, baghouse filters, cyclone separators, and wet scrubbers to remove pollutants.
Cyclone Separators
- A low-cost, low-maintenance method of removing larger particulates from a gas stream.
- Uses the principle of inertia separation, forcing particulates to change direction.
Air pollution is a major concern globally, contributing to climate change and premature deaths. This quiz covers various types of air pollutants and their effects.
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