1_C1-Air Quality

1_C1-Air Quality

1. The air

   • Nitrogen 78%
   • Consists of small molecules with big spaces between them
   • Oxygen 21%
   • Argon 1%
   • Carbon dioxide
     • Dissolves in rain and sea
     • Used in Photosynthesis
   • Particulates
   • Water vapour

2. Pollutants

   • Natural processes
     • Respiration- Input
     • Photosynthesis- Output
     • Volcanoes- Input
     • Decompostion- Output
     • Carbon cycle

3. Early Atmosphere

   • Step 1. Atmosphere contained ammonia, water vapour and carbon dioxide this from the volcanic eruptions and the hit temperature
     • Step 2. Temperature fell and water vapour condenses forming oceans and seas
       • Step 3. Photosynthesising animals evolve reducing the amount carbon dioxide replacing it with oxygen
         • Step 4. Carbon dioxide dissolves in the oceans and forms sedimentary rocks becoming fossil fuels or carbonates
           • Step 5. Atmosphere now

4. Cars

   • Petrol made up of hydrocarbons produces carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide
     • Nitrogen monoxide is reduced to nitrogen
     • Carbon monoxide is oxidised to make carbon dioxide

5. Human activity

   • Combustion of fossil fuels
     • Incomplete combustion = Carbon monoxide and particulates
     • Complete combustion = Carbon dioxide
       • Fuel burns quicker in pure oxygen

6. Impacts of pollutants

   • Particulates-buildings dirty, can cause asthma and lung infection
   • Sulphur dioxide- acid rain
   • Carbon dioxide- global warming
   • Nitrogen oxides- acid rain and breathing problems
     • Extinction of animals
     • Bioaccumalation
     • Damage buildings
     • Kill vegetation
     • Disrupt food chain/web
   • Carbon monoxide- toxic displaces oxygen

7. Reducing pollution

   • Power stations
     • Use less electricity
     • Remove sulphur from fossil fuels
     • Use alternative renewable sources
     • Wet scrubbing
       • An alkaline slurry is sprayed onto the flu gas and the sulphur dioxide is absorbed onto the surface and is converted to calcium sulfate
   • Cars
     • More efficient engine- burn less fuel
     • Hybrid car
     • Low sulphur fuel/bio fuel
     • Public transport
     • Catalytic converters
     • MOT- regulate emissions