Atmospheric Science and Air Pollution Questions

Atmospheric Science and Air Pollution Questions

A.  Composition and Structure of the Earth’s Atmosphere

1.  About how thick is the Earth’s atmosphere?

2.  Name one characteristic of each of the four atmospheric layers.

3.  Where is the ozone layer located? How and why is the stratospheric ozone layer beneficial to people, whereas the tropospheric ozone layer is harmful?

4.  How does solar energy influence weather and climate?

5.  How do Hadley, Ferrel, and polar cells help to determine long-term climate patterns and location of biomes?

6.  Describe a thermal inversion.

7.  How do thermal inversions contribute to smog episodes like the one in London and Donora, PA?

B.  Major Air Pollutants

1.  How does a primary pollutant differ from a secondary pollutant? Give an example of each.

2.  What has happened with the concentrations of “criteria pollutants” in the US ambient air in recent decades?

3.  What has happened to our emissions of major pollutants?

4.  Name one health risk from toxic air pollutants.

5.  How does photochemical smog differ from industrial smog?

6.  How do weather and topography influence smog formation?

7.  Name one type of natural air pollution and discuss how human activity can sometimes worsen it. What potential solutions can you think of to minimize this human impact?

C.  The Major Air Pollution Legislation and Its Effects & the General Status of Global Air Quality

1.  Consider the photochemical smog pollution that has plagued Los Angeles, Tehran, Mexico City, and other metropolitan areas. Describe ways in which major cities have tried to improve their air quality

2.  Describe how and why emissions of major pollutants have been reduced over 50% in the US since 1970, despite increases in population and economic acitivity.

D.  Ozone Depletions and Steps Taken to Address this Global Problem &

Acid Rain Deposition and Its Major Environmental Consequences

1.  How do chlorofluorocarbons CFCs deplete stratospheric ozone?

2.  Why is depletion of ozone considered a long term international problem?

3.  What was done to address the ozone problem?

4.  Why are the effects of acid deposition often felt in areas far from where the primary pollutants are produced?

5.  List three impacts of acid deposition.

6.  International regulatory action has produced reductions in CFCs, but other boundary pollution issues, including acid deposition, has not been yet addressed as effectively. What types of actions do you feel are appropriate for pollution that cross political boundaries?

E.  The Scope of Indoor Air Pollution and Its Potential Solutions

1.  Name five common sources of indoor pollution. For each, describe one way to reduce one’s exposure to this source.

Source of Indoor Pollution / How to reduce exposure

You have become the head of your county health department, and the EPA informs you that your county has failed to meet the national ambient air quality standards of ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Your county is partly rural but is home to a city of 200,000 people and 10 sprawling suburbs. There are several large and aging coal-fired power plants, a number of factories with advanced pollution control technology, and no public transportation system

What steps would you urge the county government to take to meet the air quality standards. Explain how you would prioritize these steps.