Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the purpose of the Inco 'superstack' implemented in 1972?
What was the purpose of the Inco 'superstack' implemented in 1972?
Why has reducing SO2 emissions been more successful than reducing nitrate emissions?
Why has reducing SO2 emissions been more successful than reducing nitrate emissions?
What significant environmental issue arose from the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)?
What significant environmental issue arose from the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)?
What percentage did ozone levels over Antarctica decline due to CFCs?
What percentage did ozone levels over Antarctica decline due to CFCs?
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What role does ozone (O3) play in the lower stratosphere?
What role does ozone (O3) play in the lower stratosphere?
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What is a recommended practice to reduce indoor air pollution in developed countries?
What is a recommended practice to reduce indoor air pollution in developed countries?
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Which method is suggested for reducing indoor air pollution in developing countries?
Which method is suggested for reducing indoor air pollution in developing countries?
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What challenge is presented for developing nations regarding air pollution?
What challenge is presented for developing nations regarding air pollution?
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What is suggested as a necessary improvement in air pollution control?
What is suggested as a necessary improvement in air pollution control?
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What happens to temperature in the mesosphere with increasing altitude?
What happens to temperature in the mesosphere with increasing altitude?
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What is the major component of Earth's atmosphere?
What is the major component of Earth's atmosphere?
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Which of the following statements is true about ozone in the atmosphere?
Which of the following statements is true about ozone in the atmosphere?
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Which concept is emphasized as essential for managing air quality?
Which concept is emphasized as essential for managing air quality?
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What is the difference between weather and climate?
What is the difference between weather and climate?
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What is meant by microclimate?
What is meant by microclimate?
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Which of the following is considered a natural source of outdoor air pollution?
Which of the following is considered a natural source of outdoor air pollution?
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What are point sources of pollution?
What are point sources of pollution?
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How has outdoor air pollution changed in developed countries?
How has outdoor air pollution changed in developed countries?
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Which element does NOT contribute to outdoor air pollution?
Which element does NOT contribute to outdoor air pollution?
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What can be considered a major problem for developing countries regarding outdoor air pollution?
What can be considered a major problem for developing countries regarding outdoor air pollution?
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What role does solar energy play in meteorological phenomena?
What role does solar energy play in meteorological phenomena?
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What is a primary contributor to ozone depletion?
What is a primary contributor to ozone depletion?
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Which indoor pollutant is responsible for the second-highest incidence of lung cancer in the developed world?
Which indoor pollutant is responsible for the second-highest incidence of lung cancer in the developed world?
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Why do indoor air pollutants often accumulate to higher concentrations compared to outdoor air?
Why do indoor air pollutants often accumulate to higher concentrations compared to outdoor air?
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What is the main source of indoor air pollution in developing regions?
What is the main source of indoor air pollution in developing regions?
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What percentage of time does the average North American spend indoors?
What percentage of time does the average North American spend indoors?
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Which of the following issues is distinct from climate change?
Which of the following issues is distinct from climate change?
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What health issues are caused by indoor air pollution from fuelwood burning?
What health issues are caused by indoor air pollution from fuelwood burning?
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What role do CFCs play in relation to global warming?
What role do CFCs play in relation to global warming?
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What is the primary composition of Earth's atmosphere?
What is the primary composition of Earth's atmosphere?
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Which of the following is a major process of Earth's atmosphere?
Which of the following is a major process of Earth's atmosphere?
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What environmental issue is prominently experienced by Beijing and similar regions?
What environmental issue is prominently experienced by Beijing and similar regions?
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Which factor exacerbates air quality issues in industrializing regions like Beijing?
Which factor exacerbates air quality issues in industrializing regions like Beijing?
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How does the atmosphere impact climate?
How does the atmosphere impact climate?
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What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is made up of carbon dioxide?
What percentage of Earth's atmosphere is made up of carbon dioxide?
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Which layer of the atmosphere is significantly impacted by human activities?
Which layer of the atmosphere is significantly impacted by human activities?
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Which of the following statements about indoor air pollution is true?
Which of the following statements about indoor air pollution is true?
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What is a primary cause of photochemical smog formation?
What is a primary cause of photochemical smog formation?
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Which technology is designed to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions?
Which technology is designed to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions?
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Acid rain is primarily caused by the reaction of which pollutants with water?
Acid rain is primarily caused by the reaction of which pollutants with water?
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What is one of the main effects of acid deposition on ecosystems?
What is one of the main effects of acid deposition on ecosystems?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of industrial smog?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of industrial smog?
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How does photochemical smog differ from industrial smog?
How does photochemical smog differ from industrial smog?
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What role do catalytic converters play in reducing air pollution?
What role do catalytic converters play in reducing air pollution?
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What common issue arises from acid deposition in urban environments?
What common issue arises from acid deposition in urban environments?
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Study Notes
Atmospheric Science and Air Pollution
- The atmosphere is a thin layer of gases surrounding Earth. It absorbs radiation, moderates climate and transports water and nutrients.
- Earth's atmosphere is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other gases.
- The four layers of the atmosphere differ in temperature, density and composition.
- Human activities significantly impact variable gases in the atmosphere.
- The troposphere is the lowest layer and is where weather occurs. Air is denser here than in upper layers. Temperature decreases with altitude and weather/vertical mixing of air occurs here. The tropopause acts as a cap limiting mixing between the troposphere and the layer above.
- The stratosphere is located above the troposphere at 11-50 km (approximately 7-31 mi) above sea level. It is drier and less dense and colder in the lower region. Little vertical mixing occurs here. The stratosphere contains ozone, which absorbs UV radiation.
- The mesosphere is above the stratosphere (50-80 km or 31-56 mi) above sea level. It has extremely low air pressure and temperatures.
- The thermosphere is the top layer that extends upward to 500 km (300 mi). Temperatures are warmer with increasing elevation.
- Atmospheric pressure is force per unit area produced by a column of air; directly related to density.
- Relative humidity is a measure of water vapor content in air (based on a ratio).
- Solar energy striking Earth (and temperature) is determined by earth's spatial relationship with the sun. Energy heats and moves air, thus influencing weather and climate.
- 70% of incoming solar energy is absorbed by the atmosphere and Earth's surface; remaining is reflected back to space. Solar radiation is greatest near the equator.
- Convective circulation: less dense, warmer air rises creating vertical currents. Rising air expands and cools. Cooler, denser air descends, replacing warmer air. This influences weather and climate.
- Large-scale circulation systems produce global climate patterns via Hadley and Ferrel cells and Polar cells.
- Thermal inversion: a layer of cool air beneath warmer air resists mixing. A common occurrence in valleys, impacting urban areas by trapping pollutants (e.g., Los Angeles, Okanagan and other mountain valleys).
- Urban heat island effect: Buildings, cars and pavements absorb and concentrate heat.
Central Case: "Apocalypse" in Beijing
- Beijing and other industrializing regions experience significant air quality concerns.
- Emission regulations still catch up with industrial and economic expansion (e.g., coal-fired power plants and more cars).
- Natural wind-blown dust from agricultural practices in neighboring areas worsens air quality.
- Wood-burning stoves contribute to air pollution.
Outdoor Air Pollution
- Air pollutants are gases and particulate material added to the atmosphere, affecting climate and harming people.
- Outdoor (ambient) air pollution has recently decreased in developed countries due to government policy and improved technologies. Developing countries still have significant problems.
- Natural sources include dust storms (westward across the Atlantic by trade winds), unsustainable agriculture, erosion, desertification, volcanoes and burning vegetation (forests).
- Point sources are specific locations where large quantities of pollutants are discharged (e.g., power plants, factories).
- Nonpoint sources are more diffuse, consisting of many small sources (e.g., automobiles).
- Primary pollutants are directly harmful and can react to form harmful substances (e.g., soot, carbon dioxide).
- Secondary pollutants form when primary pollutants react with constituents of the atmosphere (e.g., tropospheric ozone, sulfuric acid).
Environmental Legislation
- The Canadian Environmental Protection Act categorizes pollutants based on their potential threat to human health (criteria air contaminants).
- Persistent organic pollutants last a long time in the environment.
- Heavy metals, like mercury and lead, are harmful even in low concentrations.
- Toxic air pollutants cause cancer or neurological problems.
Government Agencies
- Federal agencies (e.g., Ministry of Environment & Climate Change) are responsible for international agreements (e.g., Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol) and transboundary agreements.
- Provincial/territorial agencies manage air pollution through environmental ministries.
- Municipalities (e.g., Montreal and Greater Vancouver) may directly regulate pollution sources or raise public awareness.
Monitoring Pollution Trends
- Cleaner-burning vehicles, catalytic converters, permit-trading programs, clean coal technologies and scrubbers have reduced many forms of air pollution.
- Phaseout of leaded gasoline has also reduced pollution.
Smog
- Smog is unhealthy mixtures of air pollutants that often form over urban areas.
- Industrial smog is from coal and oil combustion. Photochemical smog is from light-driven reactions of primary pollutants and normal atmospheric compounds (reactions involve nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, water vapor, oxygen, nitrogen, oxygen atoms in presence of UV light). Morning traffic contributes to photochemical smog, sunlight promotes ozone production.
Acid Deposition
- Acid deposition is the deposition of acid or acid-forming pollutants from the atmosphere onto Earth's surface (e.g., acid rain).
- Acid rain originates from combustion of fossil fuels, releasing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
- These react with water to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
- Acid deposition has wide-ranging effects on ecosystems and built environments including leaching nutrients from topsoil, altering soil chemistry harming plants, damaging forests in proximity to deposition sites, mobilizing toxic metal ions, running off into surface waters, and corroding structures.
- The historic Inco superstack helped reduce SO2 emissions by 90%, but nitrate emissions and acidic nitrate precipitation remain high.
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
- Ozone (O3) in the lower stratosphere blocks incoming damaging UV radiation.
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) attack stratospheric ozone.
- CFCs were used in refrigerators and aerosols during the 1970s.
- Ozone depletion created a hole over Antarctica.
- The Montreal Protocol (1987) cut CFC production in half and follow-up agreements reduced CFC production by 95%, leading to a recovery of the ozone layer.
Indoor Air Pollution
- Indoor air contains higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air.
- Indoor air pollution is a significant health threat, causing 11,000 deaths per day (North America, at least 90% of time indoors, exposed to synthetic materials, cleaning fluids, plastics and chemically treated wood).
- In developing countries, indoor air pollution arises from burning wood, charcoal, dung and crop wastes (for cooking and eating), and leads to health issues. Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in industrializes countries.
- Reducing indoor air pollution involves using low-toxicity materials, monitoring air quality, keeping rooms clean and limiting chemical exposure in developed countries. In developing countries, improved methods are needed.
Overall Conclusions
- Some success has been achieved in addressing outdoor air pollution, especially in developed countries.
- There is still work required in developing nations and for better control of acidic deposition, photochemical smog.
- The long lifespan of some contaminants means the full scope of impact is not yet understood. The precautionary principle is essential.
- Both outdoor and indoor air pollution pose serious health threats.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of atmospheric science and the effects of air pollution. This quiz covers the composition of Earth's atmosphere, its layers, and the impact of human activities. Test your knowledge on how these elements interact with climate and weather patterns.
