Air Pollutants
What is a primary pollutant?
A pollutant emitted directly from a source (e.g., CO, SO₂)
Which pollutant is most associated with respiratory irritation?
Ozone
What is the greenhouse effect?
Heat trapped by gases in atmosphere
What is a carbon sink?
Stores carbon (e.g., oceans, forests)
What was the goal of the Montreal Protocol?
Phase out ozone-depleting substances
Name one major source of sulfur dioxide (SO₂).
Coal-burning power plants
What health issue is linked to particulate matter (PM2.5)?
Lung damage / cardiovascular disease
Name the most abundant greenhouse gas.
Water vapor
What process removes CO₂ from atmosphere?
Photosynthesis
What does a catalytic converter reduce?
CO, NOx, hydrocarbons
What secondary pollutant forms from NOx and VOCs in sunlight?
Tropospheric ozone (O₃)
What pollutant binds to hemoglobin and reduces oxygen transport?
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Which human activity contributes most CO₂?
Burning fossil fuels
What process releases CO₂ naturally?
Respiration or decomposition
What is cap-and-trade?
Limit emissions and allow trading permits
What is photochemical smog primarily made of?
Ozone, NOx, VOCs
What disease is linked to long-term radon exposure?
Lung cancer
What is a positive feedback loop?
Process that amplifies change (e.g., ice melt → lower albedo)
How do fossil fuels disrupt the carbon cycle?
Add excess stored carbon to atmosphere
Give one example of climate mitigation.
Renewable energy, energy efficiency
What causes thermal inversion?
Warm air traps cooler polluted air near surface
Why are children more vulnerable to air pollution?
Higher breathing rate + developing lungs
Why does melting permafrost accelerate warming?
Releases methane (CH₄)
What happens to ocean pH as CO₂ increases?
Decreases (ocean acidification)
Difference between mitigation and adaptation?
Mitigation reduces causes; adaptation adjusts to impacts