Secondary Air Pollution

Secondary Pollution• Secondary pollutants form from a primary pollutant.

–They undergo a transformation in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen or other compounds.

Let’s Explore The Details! Acid Rain

Acid Precipitation• Which of the following cause acid deposition?

I. SO2 II. NOx III. CO2

A. I only B. II only C. III only D. I and II E. I, II, and III

Acid Precipitation• Which of the following is an anthropogenic source of the

pollutants that lead to acid deposition?A. Decaying Vegetation B. Volcanic Eruptions C. Solvents D. Refrigerants E. Coal Electricity generation

Evidence of Acid Rain

Rocks that are most effected are limestone and marble because they contain calcite.

Evidence of Acid Rain

Changes soil chemistry, especially increases aluminum which hinders nutrient and water uptake by plants.

Effects of Acid Rain

Aquatic species have a narrow pH tolerance.

The Chemistry of Acid Rain

SO2 + O2 —> 2SO3 + H2O —> H2SO4

3NO2 + H2O —> 2HNO3 + NO

Acid rain will NOx your SOx off!

Let’s Explore The Details! Tropospheric Ozone

It’s A Smog Day!• Smog is a mixture of pollutants that creates a hazy look. It is

derived from the words “smoke” and “fog.” –Two types of smog:

–London Smog, which is gray. –LA Smog, which is brown.

Associated with Coal! Associated with Cars!

London Smog• London is known for its wet climate.

–Creates the dispersed water droplets, known as fog. • The burning of coal produces the sulfur dioxide, soot,

particulates, and other gases that are known as smog. –Sulfuric acid forms from the mixing of water and sulfur dioxide.

Inhibits proper lung function and can cause death!

Photochemical Smog• Which of the following is true of photochemical smog?

A. Its main component is CO. B. It is more common in the summer because it requires sunlight to form. C. It forms from acidic solutions formed in the clouds. D. VOCs hinder its formation. E. It protects the Earth from incoming solar radiation.

Photochemical Smog• Which primary pollutants lead to the formation of smog?

I. NOx II. SO2 III. VOCs IV. O3

A. I only B. II only C. I and II D. I and III E. II and IV

Here Comes The Sun!• When atmospheric temperature increases…

–Emissions of VOC’s from trees increases. –Evaporation of Volatile liquids. –Emissions from power plants increases because of air

conditioners being used. –Chemical reactions with smog formation increases.

Thermal Inversions• In the troposphere, how does the

temperature change? – Typically it goes down as you go

higher in elation in the troposphere.

• When the temperature goes up instead of down with altitude, we say that there is a temperature inversion. • There is a thermal inversion in the

stratosphere!

When there is a thermal inversion, air cannot rise because it is more dense than the air above it.

Like A Lid• When a thermal inversion occurs over a city, it prevents

pollution from leaving. –Warm layer acts like a lid, trapping the pollutants inside the city.