Download atmospheric-pollution

Types of particulate pollutants in the
atmosphere.
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(1) Sulphur oxides.
(2) Carbon oxides.
(3) Nitrogen oxides.
(4) Volatile organic compounds.
(5) Particles and aerosols.
(6) Oxidants.
(7) Radioactive substances.
Other factors of interest.
(8) Heat.
(9) Noise.
(1) Sulphur oxides.
• General Description.
Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas that is irritating to high
concentrations. This is a primary pollutant than when it is in
the atmosphere is likely to become sulfur trioxide through
oxidation.
(1.2) Sulphur oxides.
• Origin and formation.
The ultimate origin of the sulphur dioxide is to be found in the processes
of combustion of fossil fuels, mainly coal and petroleum. The major
emission sources are thermal power stations, oil refineries, the copper
industry, the sulfuric acid and other.
(1.3) Sulphur oxides.
• Effects on health.
Exposed persons with chronic breathing problems that make
physical activity are susceptible to low concentrations of
sulphur dioxide. The most damaging effects of sulphur dioxide
are produced when it is absorbed by the agency on
particulate matter, or is dissolved in the water droplets
present in the atmosphere.
(1.3.1) Levels of sulphur.
- High level of sulfur: above these levels, the people must
limit outdoor activities .
- Low Level of sulfur: above these levels, it is expected that
increases serious effects on health among the people
especially sensitive.
(2) Carbon oxides.
• Include carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon
monoxide (CO). The two are primary
pollutants. Comes from the burning of fossil
fuels.
(3) Nitrogen oxides.
• Include nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O).
(4) Volatile organic compounds.
• This group includes different compounds such
as methane (CH4) and other hydrocarbons,
the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCS) and other.
Comes from the livestock, the reactions of
putrefaction, natural phenomena, etc.
(5) Particles and aerosols.
• Atmospheric aerosols can be generated from
natural or anthropogenic. Comes From dust
particles, pollen, soot, besto, salts, small drops
of sulfuric acid, etc.
(6) Oxidants.
• Ozone (O3) (stratospheric and tropospheric).
(7) Radioactive Substances.
• Radioactive isotopes as Radon 222, Iodine
131, Caesium-137 and Caesium-134,
Strontium 90, Plutonium-239, etc.
(8) Heat.
• What is it?
The heat produced by the human activity in some urban areas
becomes an element of some importance in the atmosphere
of these places. Their influence can be important in the
genesis of the secondary pollutants.
(8.1) Heat.
• Where it is coming from?
The domestic combustion and industrial, followed by
transport and power stations are the major sources of heat,
although their relative importance varies greatly from one
place to other.
(9) Noise.
• It can be an important factor to take into account in specific
locations: next to the highways, noisy industries; or in urban
phenomena: local or musical activities ... When a person is
subjected to a high level of noise for a long time, their ears
are damaged. To decrease the noise is used different
measures such as special protection, headset, etc.
Major sources of air pollution in Europe.
• Fixed or stationary sources: Activities or industrial facilities
with emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere.
• Mobile sources: road traffic, forest fires caused by the man,
etc.
• Natural sources: volcanoes, dispersion of particles, forest fires
not caused by the man, etc.
Prevention.
• These measures are intended to reduce the pollution and/or
exposure, by acting directly on the emission sources:
-Limiting the traffic of vehicles/empowerment of the public transport.
-Use in the processes of combustion of fuels with lower sulfur content,
and other pollutants.
-Incentive of less-polluting fuels.
-Installation of adequate cleaning processes in producing industrial
pollutants/emissions.
Consequences.
Heart disease.
• Poor air quality
Respiratory problems.
Lung Cancer.
Other ailments.
Eutrophication
• Other drawbacks
Poor harvests.
Minor forest growth.
Lorca (Murcia)
• The origin of the deterioration in the quality of the
air in Lorca is due to the emission of micro particles
PM10, produced by the traffic, industrial activities
and to farm work, which has been joined to some
episodes of intrusion of dust from the Sahara desert.
Pekín
• The air quality in China is among the worst in the
world, according to various international
organizations, including United Nations-, due to the
consumption of coal in power plants and the
emissions from cars.