Question

6.11 Perpetrators of Air Pollutants and CO2 (15 pts)What and how are top three perpetrators of our environment on air pollutants and greenhouse gases? Use a typical coal-fired power plant as example to delineate and environmental impacts in US and the world.

Answer 1

Perpetrators of air pollutants and CO2 :

1. Manufacturing industries:

manufacturing of carbon based products like tyres, rubbers etc and manufacturing metal based products and other manufacturing units are the perpetrators of air pollutants like oxides of sulphur nitrogen and carbon in the environment.

2. Mineral and ore refineries : As the process of processing metals from the ore and processing of minerals like petroleum causes huge pollution in terms of CO2 and hydrocarbons.

3. Transportation : The burning of fossils by the vehicles for transportation and vehicular emission is responsible for NO2 and around 50% of CO2 emissions while considering all other activities.

4. Power Generation : The genration of power via thermal or hydro power plants also adds pollutants to environment like CO2, CH4, particulate matter etc.

5. Agricultural industries: The fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides manufacturing and use imparts excess sulphur, ammonia nitrogen which give rise to many pollutants further.

6. Chemical industries: while preparing chemicals emissions of carbon and nitrogen is very common carbon converts to CO2 and nitrogen converts N2O and responsible for ozone pollution.

7. Brick manufacturing kilns : We all have seen emissions from the stack of these kilns which imparts SO2, CO2 and CO to the environment.

Top 3 perpetrators are Manufacturing units, Transportation sector and thermal power plants.

Bcause we all need manufacturing goods for our daily life, transportation is also a part of life and power generation is required for the electricity. So these 3 sources are those on which our life is relying so the generation rate will not go down and hence associated pollution in form of pollutants and greenhouse gases is more.

example of Coal fired power plant :

In today’s world, energy is the one most crucial factor contributing directly to growth of an economy and plays a vital role in development of a nation particularly in developed nations like US. We are investing huge amounts in renewable energy production. However, 40% of US power supply stations is coal based thermal power stations.

Main emissions from coal fired thermal power plants are CO2, NOx, SOx, and airborne inorganic particles such as fly ash, carbonaceous material (soot), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and other trace gas species.

Major Environmental impacts :

1. oxides of carbon

When carbon monoxide is emitted into the atmosphere it affects the amount of
greenhouse gases, which are linked to climate change and global warming (land and sea temperature increases causing changes to ecosystems, increased storm activity and other
extreme weather events). People and other animals can be exposed to high levels of carbon
monoxide during bushfires. When people and animals are exposed to high levels of carbon
monoxide it can make them ill and make it more difficult for them to have babies.

2. oxides of sulphur

SO2 and other sulphur oxides can contribute to acid rain which can harm sensitive ecosystems. SO2 and other sulphur oxides can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form fine particles that reduce visibility (haze) Deposition of particles can also stain and damage stone and other materials, including culturally important objects such as statues and monuments.

3.oxides and nitrogen

High levels of NOx can have a negative effect on vegetation, including leaf damage and reduced growth. It can make vegetation more susceptible to disease and frost damage. A study of the effect of nitrogen dioxide and ammonia (NH3) on the habitat of Epping Forest has revealed that pollution is likely to be significantly influencing ecosystem health in the forest.