pollutants:effects and source
CFCs
effect: global warming, ozone depletion
source: leaking refrigerators/ac, aerosal propellants
Ozone (troposphere)-secondary pollutant
effect on human health: respiratory irritant, damages plant tissue
source: oil and VOCs (plus sunlight)
how does photochemical smog form
UV light + NOx + VOCs (aka hydrocarbons)
CH4 (Methane)
Effect: global warming
source: sanitary landfills, livestock farming, natural sources (wildfires)
particulate matter
Human health effects: asthma, allergies, respiratory disease (most dangerous- 2.5 micrometers)
sources: smoke, ash, pollen, spores, asbestos, lead, etc.
tropospheric vs stratospheric ozone
tropo: man-made pollutant in the lower atmosphere
strato: ozone layer protects the biosphere by absorbing incoming UV radiation
CO2
effect: global warming
source: coal, oil, natural gas, burning wood
mercury
sources: coal
thermal inversion
occurs when stable layer of warm air lies above cooler air
prevents convection currents from dispersing pollutants and traps pollution close to the ground, trapping smog
NOx
effects: global warming, acid rain, photochemical smog (tropospheric ozone)
source: oil
lead
effect: neurotoxin
source: leaded gasoline (main source)
SOx
Effect: acid rain
source: coal