8.3A Urban air pollution Notes

Urban Air Pollution

1. Urban air pollution is a significant environmental issue caused by the emission of pollutants from various human activities.
2. These pollutants are harmful to both the environment and human health.

Types of Air Pollutants

Nitrogen Oxides ($NO_x$)

1. Sources: $NO_x$ emissions mainly come from the combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles, industrial processes, and power plants.
2. Impact: $NO_x$ contributes to the formation of smog and acid rain and can have harmful effects on the respiratory system, leading to conditions like asthma.

Sulfur Dioxide ($SO_2$)

1. Sources: The burning of fossil fuels (especially coal) in power plants and industrial facilities is a major source of sulfur dioxide.
2. Impact:
   1. $SO_2$ is a major component of acid rain, which can damage crops, forests, and aquatic ecosystems.
   2. It can also irritate the respiratory system.

Carbon Monoxide ($CO$)

1. Sources: $CO$ is primarily emitted from vehicle exhausts, industrial processes, and incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.
2. Impact: $CO$ interferes with the body’s ability to transport oxygen in the bloodstream, leading to health problems such as dizziness, headaches, and even death in extreme cases.

Particulate Matter (PM)

1. Sources: PM is produced by the burning of fossil fuels (vehicles and industry), construction activities, agricultural processes, and natural sources like dust storms or wildfires.
2. Impact:
   1. Particulate matter can cause a range of health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
   2. It is also harmful to the environment as it can reduce visibility and damage ecosystems.

Types of Particulate Matter (PM)

Particulate matter is categorized based on the size of the particles, which determines how far into the respiratory system they can penetrate.

PM2.5 (Fine Particulate Matter)

1. Size: Particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less (about 1/30th the width of a human hair).
2. Sources: Emissions from vehicles, industrial processes, power plants, and wildfires.
3. Health Risks: Due to their small size, PM2.5 particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues like heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and respiratory diseases.

PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter)

1. Size: Particles with a diameter between 2.5 and 10 micrometers.
2. Sources: Dust from roads, construction sites, and agriculture, as well as combustion processes.
3. Health Risks: PM10 particles are large enough to be trapped in the upper respiratory tract but can still cause irritation to the lungs, leading to conditions like bronchitis and aggravated asthma.

Sources of Urban Air Pollution

Transport

1. Vehicles (cars, buses, trucks) emit large quantities of NOx, CO, and particulate matter.
2. Traffic congestion exacerbates pollution, as engines emit more pollutants when idling or operating at low speeds.

Industrial Emissions

1. Factories and power plants release a variety of air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
2. Industrial activities such as mining and construction also contribute to the spread of dust and larger particulate matter.

Residential Heating

1. The burning of wood, coal, or other fuels in homes for heating releases particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) into the atmosphere.

Waste and Agricultural Practices

1. Open burning of waste and agricultural residue contributes to the production of fine particulate matter and gases such as methane.

Health and Environmental Impact of Urban Air Pollution

Health Impact

1. Exposure to urban air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), can lead to chronic respiratory conditions, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
2. Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution.
3. Short-term exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing and shortness of breath.

Environmental Impact

1. Acid Rain: $NO_x$ and $SO_2$ combine with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acid rain, which can harm aquatic ecosystems, forests, and buildings.
2. Visibility: Particulate matter contributes to haze, reducing visibility in urban areas and affecting natural landscapes.
3. Climate Change: Some air pollutants, such as black carbon (a component of particulate matter), can contribute to global warming by absorbing sunlight.

Primary Pollutants and Their Sources

Primary pollutants are substances that are directly released into the atmosphere from a source, and they are harmful at the point of emission.

These pollutants can either be natural (occurring due to natural processes) or anthropogenic (resulting from human activities).

Natural Sources of Primary Pollutants

Forest Fires

1. Pollutants Produced: Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
2. Cause: Lightning strikes, spontaneous combustion, or human activity (although natural in origin).
3. Impact: These fires release large amounts of smoke and pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and potentially leading to health problems in nearby communities.

Dust

1. Pollutants Produced: Particulate matter (PM), especially PM10 and PM2.5.
2. Cause: Natural dust storms, volcanic eruptions, and desert winds.
3. Impact: Dust can degrade air quality, reduce visibility, and contribute to respiratory problems.

Volcanic Eruptions

1. Pollutants Produced: Sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (ash), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), VOCs.
2. Cause: Volcanic activity that releases gases and ash particles into the atmosphere.
3. Impact: Volcanic eruptions can result in short-term air pollution, acid rain, and respiratory issues, and they can influence climate patterns through the release of sulfur dioxide.

Anthropogenic Sources of Primary Pollutants

Burning for Agricultural and Forest Clearance

1. Pollutants Produced: Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$), VOCs.
2. Cause: Land-clearing practices for agriculture, deforestation, and slash-and-burn techniques used in farming.
3. Impact: These activities contribute to deforestation, release significant greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and degrade air quality.

Burning of Fossil Fuels for Energy Production

1. Pollutants Produced: Sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$), nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), particulate matter (PM), and heavy metals.
2. Cause: Combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas in power plants, industries, and vehicles.
3. Impact: The combustion of fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants that contribute to air pollution, smog formation, acid rain, and climate change.

Burning of Biomass for Energy Production

1. Pollutants Produced: Carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$), VOCs.
2. Cause: Burning organic materials like wood, crop residue, or animal dung for heating or cooking purposes.
3. Impact: Although biomass is considered a renewable resource, its combustion can release harmful pollutants that affect indoor and outdoor air quality.

Dust from Construction and Roads

1. Pollutants Produced: Particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), especially from construction sites, mining, and unpaved roads.
2. Cause: Human activities such as construction, mining, vehicle traffic, and road maintenance.
3. Impact: Dust emissions from these activities can degrade air quality and contribute to respiratory issues.

Planning an Experiment Using an Indicator Species as a Correlate for Pollution

They are sensitive to environmental changes and can serve as biological indicators of pollution levels.