Key terms
What is meant by depletion?
a reduction or loss of something
What are the layers of the atmosphere?
Troposphere, Stratosphere, Mesosphere, Thermosphere
What are secondary pollutants?
Pollutants that form through chemical reactions with primary pollutants
How many people does the WHO say are killed by poor air quality each year?
7 million
How many international agreements have there been on atmospheric pollution?
7
What is a primary pollutant?
A pollutant that is emitted directly from the source
What would you see in the troposphere?
Temperature, pressure and gravity decreasing with altitude but wind speeds are increasing with height
What is acid rain?
Rain with a PH less that 6 causes by the burning of fossil fuels in factories and power stations, which release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide
Name three impacts of the enhanced greenhouse effect
Flooding, warmer weather causing drought, sea level rise, extinction of species, changes to the fishing industry, more severe storms,
How do international agreements help manage atmospheric pollution?
Laws and regulation put in place about the reduction of carbon emissions
What is a noble gas?
A gas that rarely reacts with other elements because it is stable
What would you see in the stratosphere?
Temperature inversion caused by high concentrations of ozone
What contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect?
Human activities, vehicle exhausts, aerosol sprays, burning of fossil fuels, cattle and rice production
Name three impacts of acid rain
Makes water undrinkable, crop yields decline, damages buildings, pollutes soil, animal life is poisoned
How can government help with atmospheric pollution?
Enforce transport policies that restrict cars in certain areas/times or promote the switch to more sustainable transport, reforestation, carbon sinks, carbon stores
What is temperature inversion?
When temperature increases with altitude
What would you see in the mesosphere?
No water vapour, dust or ozone to absorb radiation from the sun
What is photochemical smog?
Fog in the atmosphere accompanied by high levels of ozone and nitrogen oxides, caused by the reaction of sunlight on pollutants.
Name three impacts of photochemical smog
Irritation of eyes, throat and breathing. Cancer, strokes and heart attacks.reduced photosynthesis, affects plant growth
How can people help with atmospheric pollution?
Reducing carbon footprint, recycling, using organic fertilisers, walking and cycling more
What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Chemicals that easily enter the atmosphere as gases
What would you see in the thermosphere?
Temperatures of 1500 degrees celsius
What is ozone depletion?
Gradual thinning of Earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities.
Name three impacts of ozone depletion
Skin cancer, reduces immune system efficiency, affects the food chain, melting ice sheets and glaciers
What is the problems of international agreements when addressing atmospheric pollution?
Lack of enforcement, corruption and conflicts of interest