The Stratosphere Is Our Global Sunscreen

Stratosphere

Similar composition to the troposphere, with 2 exceptions

Much less water O3, ozone layer, filters UV

120 110 100 90 80 Altitude (kilometers)

Atmospheric pressure (millibars) 1,000 200 400 600 800 75 Temperature Thermosphere

65

Mesopause Mesosphere Stratopause Stratosphere

55

60 50 40 30 20 10 Pressure

35

25

Tropopause Ozone layer Troposphere 15

5 Pressure = 1,000 millibars at ground level

Fig. 18-3, p. 470

(Sea 0 level)

80

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80 40 40 0 Temperature (C)

120

Altitude (miles)

70

45

18-2 What Are the Major Outdoor Pollution Problems?

Concept 18-2 Pollutants mix in the air to form industrial smog, mostly the result of burning coal, and photochemical smog, caused by motor vehicle, industrial, and power plant emissions.

Air Pollution Comes from Natural and Human Sources

Natural sources

Dust blown by wind Pollutants from wildfires and volcanoes Volatile organics released by plants

Human sources: mostly in industrialized and/or urban areas

Stationary sources Mobile sources

Primary Pollutants CO CO2 SO2 NO NO2 Most hydrocarbons Most suspended particles Secondary Pollutants

SO3 HNO3H2SO4 H2O2 O3 PANs Most NO3 and SO42 salts

Sources

Natural

Stationary

Mobile

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Fig. 18-4, p. 472

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Chemical Reactions That Form Major Outdoor Air Pollutants

Major Air Pollutants

Carbon oxides: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic gas that forms during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. 93% of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the troposphere occurs as a result of the carbon cycle. 7% of CO2 in the troposphere occurs as a result of human activities (mostly burning fossil fuels). It is not regulated as a pollutant under the U.S. Clean Air Act.

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Sources CO

Click for more source information 6/23/12

Major Air Pollutants

Nitrogen oxides and nitric acid: Nitrogen oxide (NO) forms when nitrogen and oxygen gas in air react at the high-combustion temperatures in automobile engines and coal-burning plants. NO can also form from lightening and certain soil bacteria. NO reacts with air to form NO2. NOx form PANs. NO2 reacts with water vapor in the air to form nitric acid (HNO3) and nitrate salts (NO3-) which are components of acid deposition.

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Sources NOx

Click for more NOx source information 6/23/12

Major Air Pollutants

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfuric acid: About one-third of SO2 in the troposphere occurs naturally through the sulfur cycle. Two-thirds come from human sources, mostly combustion (S+ O2 SO2) of sulfur-containing coal and from oil refining and smelting of sulfide ores. SO2 in the atmosphere can be converted to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and sulfate salts (SO42-) that return to earth as a component of acid deposition.

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Sources SOx

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Major Air Pollutants

Suspended particulate matter (SPM): Consists of a variety of solid particles and liquid droplets small and light enough to remain suspended in the air. The most harmful forms of SPM are fine particles (PM10, with an average diameter < 10 micrometers) and ultrafine particles (PM-2.5). According to the EPA, SPM is responsible for about 60,000 premature deaths a year in the U.S.

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Sources Particulate Matter

Click for more PM source information 6/23/12

Major Air Pollutants

Ozone (O3):

Is a highly reactive gas that is a major component of photochemical smog. It can

Cause and aggravate respiratory illness. Can aggravate heart disease. Damage plants, rubber in tires, fabrics, and paints.

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Major Air Pollutants

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Most are hydorcarbons emitted by the leaves of many plants and methane. About two thirds of global methane emissions comes from human sources. Other VOCs include industrial solvents such as trichlorethylene (TCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride. Long-term exposure to benzene can cause cancer, blood disorders, and immune system damage.

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Source Volatile Organics

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How Pollutants Are Formed from Burning Coal and Oil, Leading to Industrial Smog

Fig 18-8

A Model of How Pollutants That Make Up Photochemicals Are Formed

Fig 18-9

Global Outlook: Photochemical Smog in Santiago, Chile

Temperature Inversions

Cold, cloudy weather in a valley surrounded by mountains can trap air pollutants (left). Areas with sunny climate, light winds, mountains on three sides and an ocean on the other (right) are susceptible to inversions.
Figure 18-11

18-3 What Is Acid Deposition and Why Is It a Problem?

Concept 18-3 Acid deposition is caused mainly by coal-burning power plant and motor vehicle emissions, and in some regions, threatens human health, aquatic life and ecosystems, forests, and human-built structures.

Natural Capital Degradation: Acid Deposition, Acid Rain

Fig 18-12

Acid Deposition Has a Number of Harmful Effects

Human respiratory disorders Aquatic ecosystems affected Release of toxic metals Leaching of soil nutrients Loss of crops and trees Damage to buildings, statues, and monuments

Natural Capital Degradation: Air Pollution Damage to Trees in North Carolina, U.S.

Fig18-14

Air Pollution Control

There are a of ways to prevent and control air pollution from coal-burning facilities.

Electrostatic precipitator: are used to attract negatively charged particles in a smokestack into a collector. Wet scrubber: fine mists of water vapor trap particulates and convert them to a sludge that is collected and disposed of usually in a landfill.

Electrostatic Precipitator

Can remove 99% of particulate matter Does not remove hazardous ultrafine particles. Produces toxic dust that must be safely disposed of. Uses large amounts of electricity

Wet Scrubber

Can remove 98% of SO2 and particulate matter. Not very effective in removing hazardous fine and ultrafine particles.

Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle (IGCC) systems

Gasifier uses heat and pressure to break apart feedstock to produce syngas (hydrogen and CO) Click for DOE information on gasification