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Identify the primary pollutants produced by the combustion of fossil fuels
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How are secondary pollutants formed after the combustion of fossil fuels?
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IB ESS Term 3
IB ESS Term 3 Topic 6 and Topic 8.3
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Identify the primary pollutants produced by the combustion of fossil fuels | pollutants that are active on emission such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, black carbon or soot, unburned hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and oxides of sulfur. |
| How are secondary pollutants formed after the combustion of fossil fuels? | The primary pollutants (e.g. sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen (gases)) are converted to secondary pollutants then deposited as dry and wet deposition |
| Describe dry deposition | when ash and dry particles are formed through physical or chemical changes and then deposited in a dry form - pollutants are removed by gravity so are usually close to the source |
| Define pollution | Pollution is the addition of a substance or an agent to an environment through human activity, at a rate greater than that at which it can be rendered harmless by the environment, and which has an appreciable effect on the organisms in the environment |
| Distinguish between primary and secondary pollutants | Pollutants may be primary (active on emission - those directly emitted by a factory or automobiles) or secondary (arising from primary pollutants undergoing physical or chemical change) |
| Describe wet deposition | primary pollutants dissolve in rain to form sulfuric and nitric acid (chemical changes) and are then deposited as precipitation (usually rain and snow). These can travel further from the source than dry deposition. |
| Describe some direct effects of acid deposition | the effects of acid on aquatic organisms (frogs and fish can't survive the acidic environment or embryonic development of fish is altered) and coniferous forests (thinning of waxy cuticle on leaves, yellowing of chlorophyll so photosynthesis limited) |
| Describe some indirect effects of acid deposition | ○ indirect toxic effect—for example, increased solubility of metal (such as aluminium ions) blocking fish gills, ○ indirect nutrient effect—for example, leaching of plant nutrients affect root hairs |
| Describe why acid deposition can cause conflict | The impacts of acid deposition may be limited to areas downwind of major industrial regions but these areas may not be in the same country as the source of emissions. E.g. Scandinavian forests and lakes damaged by British, Polish and German coal plants |
| Recall the three levels of pollution management that can be used for acid deposition | altering human activity regulating and monitoring the release of pollutants Clean-up and restoration |
| Describe some examples of the first level of pollution management for acid deposition | altering human activity—for example, through reducing use, or using alternatives to, fossil fuels; international agreements and national governments may work to reduce pollutant production through lobbying |
| Describe some examples of the second level of pollution management for acid deposition | regulating and monitoring the release of pollutants—for example, through the use of scrubbers or catalytic converters that may remove sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen from coal-burning powerplants and cars. |
| Describe some examples of the third level of pollution management for acid deposition | Clean-up and restoration - measures may include spreading ground limestone in acidified lakes or recolonization of damaged systems—but the scope of these measures is limited. |
| Describe how acid deposition can impact humans | acid rain dissolves limestone structures, especially buildings and statues Human Health: particles can cause damage to lung tissue. This can eventually cause breathing difficulties, decreased oxygen in the blood supply and ultimately, heart problems |
| Describe how the atmosphere can be considered a system | It is a dynamic system (with inputs, outputs, flows and storages) that has undergone changes throughout geological time. |
| Describe what gases make up the Earth's atmosphere | predominantly a mixture of nitrogen (79%) and oxygen (21%), with smaller amounts of carbon dioxide, argon, water vapour and other trace gases. |
| Describe how humans are having an impact on the atmosphere | through altering inputs and outputs of the system. Changes in the concentrations of atmospheric gases—such as ozone, carbon dioxide, and water vapour—have significant effects on ecosystems. |
| Distinguish between the troposphere and stratosphere | Most reactions connected to living systems occur in the inner layers of the atmosphere, which are the troposphere (0–10 km above sea level) and the stratosphere (10–50 km above sea level). |
| Describe why the troposphere is important to Earth | 0–10 km above sea level is where clouds form and play a part in radiation of energy and the albedo effect. All weather and human activity occur in the troposphere |
| Describe why the stratosphere is important to Earth | The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere (10–50 km above sea level). This layer filters out certain types of ultraviolet light |
| Describe the greenhouse effect | a natural and necessary phenomenon maintaining suitable temperatures for living systems. Without the thermal energy trapped by greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere, water would freeze on the surface of the planet and be uninhabitable. |
| Describe the albedo effect | The lower the albedo, the more radiation from the Sun that gets absorbed by the planet, and temperatures will rise. If the albedo is higher, and the Earth is more reflective, more of the radiation is returned to space, and the planet cools |
| Describe the enhanced greenhouse effect | Human activities are slowly increasing the presence of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. This is leading to more heating within the atmosphere and therefore an enhancement of the greenhouse effect or 'global warming' |
| Describe how the ozone layer is an example of a dynamic equilibrium | Some ultraviolet radiation from the Sun is absorbed by stratospheric ozone causing the ozone molecule to break apart. Under normal conditions the ozone molecule will reform. This ozone destruction and reformation is an example of a dynamic equilibrium. |
| Describe the source of ozone depleting substances | halogenated organic gases such as chlorofluorocarbons—CFCs) are used in aerosols, gas-blown plastics, pesticides, flame retardants and refrigerants. |
| Describe the reaction that is causing a 'hole' in the Ozone layer | Halogen atoms (such as chlorine) from Ozone depleting substances increase destruction of ozone in a repetitive cycle, allowing more ultraviolet radiation to reach the Earth. |
| Describe the impact on humans as a result of the hole in the ozone layer | Ultraviolet radiation reaching the surface of the Earth damages human living tissues, increasing the incidence of cataracts, mutation during cell division, skin cancer and other subsequent effects on health. |
| Describe the impact on primary productivity as a result of the hole in the ozone layer | increased ultraviolet radiation cause damage to photosynthetic organisms, especially phytoplankton, which form the basis of aquatic food webs. |
| Suggest some methods to reduce the release of ozone depleting substances | ○ recycling refrigerants ○ developing alternatives to gas-blown plastics, halogenated pesticides, propellants and aerosols ○ developing non-propellant alternatives. |
| Describe the role of the UN EP (United Nations Environment Program) as an environmental movement | has had a key role in providing information, and creating and evaluating international agreements (including the Montreal Protocol) for the protection of stratospheric ozone, Sustainable Development Goals and Biodiversity Framework |
| Describe the Montreal Protocol | Formed in 1987 is an international agreement for the reduction of use of ODS's signed under the direction of UNEP. National laws and regulations were made to decrease the consumption and production of HOGs such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). |
| Describe why the Montreal Protocol is considered one of the most successful international agreements | All member nations signed and ratified the agreement. It allowed for the LEDC's to take longer to decrease the consumption of CFC's and amendments have been made that cater for additional issues. |
| Why are ODS's still being detected | An illegal market for ozone-depleting substances persists and requires consistent monitoring. |
| Describe the benefit of the ozone layer | Stratospheric ozone is a key component of the atmospheric system because it protects living systems from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. |
| Describe the formation of photochemical smog | In the presence of sunlight, secondary pollutants are formed when primary pollutants undergo a variety of reactions with other chemicals already present in the atmosphere. |
| Describe tropospheric ozone | It is an example of a secondary pollutant, formed when oxygen molecules react with oxygen atoms that are released from nitrogen dioxide in the presence of sunlight. |
| Describe some of the impacts that tropospheric ozone has on the environment | It is highly reactive and damages plants (crops and forests), irritates eyes, creates respiratory illnesses and damages fabrics and rubber materials. |
| Describe the term 'smog' | Smog is a complex mixture of primary and secondary pollutants, of which tropospheric ozone is the main pollutant. The frequency and severity of smog in an area depends on local topography, climate, population density, and fossil fuel use. |
| Describe the factors that impact the frequency and severity of smog | local topography, climate, population density, and fossil fuel use. |
| Describe thermal inversions | occur due to a lack of air movement when a layer of dense, cool air is trapped beneath a layer of less dense, warm air. This causes concentrations of air pollutants to build up near the ground instead of being dissipated by “normal” air movements. |
| Recall some natural factors that may contribute to smog | Deforestation and burning |
| Describe some impacts that smog has on humans | irritates eyes, creates respiratory illnesses and damages fabrics and rubber materials, Economic losses caused by urban air pollution can be significant. |
| Describe some pollution management strategies for photochemical smog | altering human activity to consume less fossil fuels—e.g. the use of public or shared transit, regulating and reducing pollutants at the point of emission through government regulation or taxation adopting clean-up measures such as reforestation |
| Describe some level one pollution management strategies for photochemical smog | altering human activity to consume less fossil fuels—example activities include the purchase of energy-efficient technologies, the use of public or shared transit, and walking or cycling |
| Describe some level two pollution management strategies for photochemical smog | regulating and reducing pollutants at the point of emission through government regulation or taxation ○ using catalytic converters to clean the exhaust of primary pollutants from car exhaust ○ regulating fuel quality by governments |
| Describe some level three pollution management strategies for photochemical smog | adopting clean-up measures such as reforestation, regreening, and conservation of areas to sequester carbon dioxide. |
| Describe some examples of solid domestic waste (SDW) | includes household waste such as paper, glass, metal, plastics, organic (kitchen or garden) packaging, construction debris, and clothing - the volume and composition of which changes over time |
| Describe non-biodegradable pollution | examples include plastic, batteries or e-waste. The abundance and prevalence of which has become a major environmental issue |
| Describe the trend seen with Solid Domestic Waste (SDW) worldwide | It is increasing as a result of growing human populations and consumption. |
| Recall the waste disposal options | landfills, incineration, recycling and composting. |
| Describe the pollution management strategies available for SDW | ○ altering human activity—e.g. composting of food waste. ○ controlling the release of pollutant—legislation to encourage recycling ○ clean-up and restoration - e.g. reclaiming landfills, |
| Describe some level one pollution management strategies for SDW | altering human activity—for example, through a reduction of consumption and composting of food waste. |
| Describe some level two pollution management strategies for SDW | controlling the release of pollutant—governments create legislation to encourage recycling and reuse initiatives and impose taxes for SDW collection and on disposable items. |
| Describe some level three pollution management strategies for SDW | clean-up and restoration - e.g. reclaiming landfills, using SDW for waste-to-energy programmes, implementing initiatives to remove plastics from the Great Pacific garbage patch |
Created by:
DrLeeAGS
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