18 Questions
What are some of the pollutants that have increased markedly in the atmosphere as a result of human activities since 1750?
CO2, CH4, N2O, and fluorinated gases
What are the time-weighted average concentrations in µg/m³ for Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)?
Annual*: 40, 24 hours**: 60
What is the time-weighted average concentration in µg/m³ for Particulate Matter (size less than 10 µm) or PM10 for 24 hours**?
80
What is the time-weighted average concentration in µg/m³ for Ozone (O3) in ambient air for 8 hours*?
100
What is the annual time-weighted average concentration in µg/m³ for Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
8 hours*: 2, 1 hour**: 4
What are the annual time-weighted average concentrations in µg/m³ for Arsenic (As) and Nickel (Ni)?
Arsenic (As): 6, Nickel (Ni): 20
What are some examples of particulate (aerosols) found in the atmosphere?
Dust, smoke, fog, mists, fume
Name some gases and odors that contribute to atmospheric pollution.
SOx, NOx, CO, CO2, halogen compounds, hydrocarbons, radioactive compounds
What type of gases are known as GREENHOUSE GASES (GHG)?
Gases with absorptive wavelengths in the spectrum of terrestrial radiation
How does the Earth's energy budget describe the balance of energy?
Between radiant energy incoming from the sun and energy flowing out to space
What percentage of the sun's energy is reflected back to space?
About 30 percent
What type of electromagnetic spectrum does most of the sun's incoming energy fall under?
Visible portion
How is Particulate Matter (PM) measured in air pollution?
By drawing a sample through an inlet designed to exclude particles larger than a certain size and collecting it on a filter for 24 hours.
What is the purpose of the Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) filter in air pollution measurement?
The TSP filter is used only for lead measurement.
Describe the process of measuring Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) in air using the West-Gaeke method.
A known volume of air is bubbled through a solution of sodium tetrachloromercurate, which forms a complex with SO2. The solution is then treated with pararosaniline to determine the concentration.
How is Ozone (O3) measured in air using the chemiluminescent reaction?
The air is mixed with ethylene, which reacts with ozone in a light-emitting reaction.
What are some improvements made in vehicular technology to reduce air pollution?
Improvements include Euro standards, CNG vehicles, and 4-stroke engines.
Why was lead phased out of gasoline throughout the country since 2000?
Lead was phased out to reduce air pollution and its harmful effects on health.
Test your knowledge on the composition of the atmosphere including particulate matter like dust and smoke, gases such as SOx and NOx, and the processes linking the atmosphere with other Earth system components. Includes a schematic of chemical and transport processes and comparison of atmospheric properties.
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