Atmosphere and Climate Quiz

Course Information

• Course Title: Air Pollution and Meteorology
• Course Code: 2010-1214 EPT
• Source Material: Course content, handouts, and assessment activities
• Course Handouts: Environmental Pollution and Control, 4th Edition by J. J. Peirce, P. A. Vesilind, R. Weiner.

Course Content

• Atmosphere and its Composition (1 Hour): Includes lectures, readings, etc related to the composition and structure of the atmosphere.
• Sources and Scales of Air Pollution (4 Hours): Examination of air pollution sources and their impact, including geographical areas and sizes of the impact.
• Effects of Air Pollution on Human, Animals, Plants, and Structures (4 Hours): Focuses on the harm effects air pollution has on differing species and environment.
• Atmospheric Chemistry and Photochemical Smog (4 Hours): Detailed study of atmospheric chemical reactions, and the formation of smog.
• Ambient Air Sampling, Measurement, and Analysis (2 Hours): Procedures and methods for sampling, measuring, and analyzing pollutants in the atmosphere.
• Air Pollution Monitoring (4 Hours): Techniques to track atmospheric pollution levels, monitoring stations and methods.
• Role of Meteorology on Air Pollution (4 Hours): Examination of weather patterns' influences on air pollution effects, dispersion, and control.
• Air Quality Criteria (4 Hours): Establishing standards and guidelines for acceptable levels of air pollutants.
• Emission and Emission Standards (4 Hours): Introduction to pollutant emission control standards.
• Stack Gas Sampling and Analysis (4 Hours): Techniques used to evaluate pollutants released from industrial stacks.
• Dispersion of Air Pollutants (4 Hours): Investigates how pollutants spread in the atmosphere.
• Emission Inventory (4 Hours): Creation and management of pollutant emission catalogs.
• Introduction to Air Pollution Modeling (2 Hours): Introduction to mathematical models to predict air pollutant movement and concentrations.

Student Assessment Activities

• Quizzes (4-5 weeks): Counts 5% of total score.
• Mid Exam 1 (7-8 weeks): Counts 15% of total score.
• Quiz (14-15 weeks): Counts 5% of total score.
• Mid Exam 1 (7-8 weeks): Counts 15% of total score.
• Practical Activities and Practical Exam (7-8 weeks): Counts 10% of total score.
• Attendance/class activities/ assignments (weekly): Counts 10% of total score.
• Final Exam (17 weeks): Counts 40% of total score.

Course Main Objective

• Overview of Air Pollution: The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of various facets of air pollution.
• Relevant Topics: The course will cover fundamental topics in air pollution, such as meteorology, sources, fate and transport, effects, monitoring, and abatement.
• Regulatory Models and Discussion: Discusses regulatory models to evaluate and predict pollutant release and concentrations.
• Meteorological Influence: Emphasizes that meteorology plays a crucial role in shaping the extent and magnitude of air pollution effects.

Classroom Etiquette

• Turn off pagers and cell phones.
• Do not be late.
• Only talk directly to the instructor.
• Take out any materials you need for class.
• Attendance is mandatory.

Help Resources

• Study guides
• Online helps
• Daily quizzes
• Ask instructor for help

Lecture (1): The Atmosphere and its Composition

• Vertical Structure: The atmosphere is divided into distinct layers (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere) each with unique characteristics.
• Composition: The atmosphere primarily consists of nitrogen (N2), and oxygen (O2), along with varying amounts of other gases and particles (variable gases and aerosols).

Introduction

• Atmosphere as a Layer of Gases: The atmosphere is a protective layer of gases, primarily nitrogen and oxygen, encompassing the Earth.
• Atmosphere Functions: The atmosphere shields Earth from harmful solar radiation and space debris, regulates temperature, and facilitates life processes.

Terms

• Atmosphere: Gases, droplets, and particles surrounding Earth's surface.
• Weather: Atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, visibility) at a specific place and time.
• Climate: Long-term weather patterns and averages within a particular region over an extended period (typically 30 years or more).
• Climatology: The scientific study of long-term climate patterns.

Crazy Fact

• The mass of the atmosphere is approximately 5.65 billion million tons.

Gaseous Composition of Atmosphere

• The atmosphere is primarily composed of Nitrogen and oxygen in varying percentages. Other gases present in small percentages include water, Carbon Dioxide, etc.

Vertical Structure of the Atmosphere

• Layers: Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere, and Exosphere. Each layer exhibits distinct characteristics in terms of temperature, pressure, and gas composition.
• Pressure and Altitude: Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude.

Troposphere

• Height: Extends up to approximately 8-15 km from Earth's surface.
• Characteristics: Contains most of the atmosphere's mass, weather phenomena, clouds; temperature decreases with altitude.

Stratosphere

• Height: Extends from approximately 15 km to 50 km above Earth's surface.
• Characteristics: Contains the ozone layer, absorbing ultraviolet radiation; temperature increases with altitude. Ozone Layer protects us from harmful UV radiation.

Mesosphere

• Height: Extends from approximately 50 km to 85 km above Earth's surface.
• Characteristics: The layer in the atmosphere where the temperature, again decrease with altitude.

Thermosphere

• Height: Extends from approximately 85 km to 600 km above Earth's surface.
• Characteristics: The temperature significantly increases with altitude, reaching up to 2,500ºC or more. This layer contains the ionosphere, which reflects radio waves to Earth.

Exosphere

• Height: Extends from approximately 600 km to 10,000 km above Earth's surface.
• Characteristics: The outermost layer where atmospheric particles become sparse; the transition between Earth's atmosphere and outer space.

Summary

• The atmosphere is organized into distinct layers based on temperature and density.
• This structure helps to understand how pollutants disperse and form smog.

Composition of the Atmosphere

• Permanent Gases: Gases with constant relative abundance in the lower atmosphere (homosphere), including Nitrogen & oxygen
• Variable Gases: Gases with varying amounts in the atmosphere, such as Water Vapor and Carbon Dioxide, which significantly impacts weather and climate.
• Aerosols: Small solid particles or liquid droplets present in the atmosphere. They play a role in cloud formation and weather processes.
• Major Constituents: Nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), Argon (Ar) are major permanent gases
• Water Vapor (H₂O): Abundant variable gas; crucial for weather and climate processes.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Variable gas, plays a significant role as greenhouse gas, and its levels increased since 1958

Ozone Layer

• Location: Within the stratosphere, approximately 10-30 kilometers above Earth's surface.
• Composition: Primarily composed of ozone (O₃) molecules.
• Importance: Absorbs and scatters harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth. Depletion is caused by man-made chemicals like CFCs.

Ozone Depletion and Causes

• CFCs: Chlorofluorocarbons, once commonly used in refrigerants and aerosols, release chlorine atoms that react with ozone molecules.
• Halons: Used in fire extinguishers, they also release bromine atoms which contribute to ozone layer depletion.
• Other Chemicals: Some industrial chemicals contribute to ozone layer depletion.

Test your knowledge about the Earth's atmosphere and the differences between weather and climate in this informative quiz. Explore various functions of the atmosphere and learn about the composition and mass of the atmosphere. Challenge yourself with questions on these essential topics!