Question

1. Define atmospheric warming climate change. What is the difference between primary pollutants and secondary pollutants. Give examples of each.  List and briefly explain five natural factors that help reduce outdoor air pollution and six factors that make it worse. What is smog? What is acid rain?. What is greenhouse effect and why is it important for life on earth?

Answer 1

Ans .(1) Global warming is the ongoing rise of average temperature of earth's climate system and has been demonstrated by direct temperature measurements and by measurements of various effects of warming. It is a major aspect of climate change which, in addition to rising global surface temperatures, also includes its effects, such as changes in precipitation.

Climate change is due primarily to human use of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide and other green house gases into the air. The gases trap heat within the atmosphere, which can have a range of effects on ecosystems, including rising sea levels, severe weather events, and droughts that render landscapes more susceptible to wildfire.

A Primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source. e.g. Sulfur dioxide , Carbon monoxide

A Secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such , but forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants ) react in the atmosphere. e.g. Ozone , Acid rain.

The 5 natural factors that help reduce the outdoor air pollution are :-

(i) Precipitation

(ii) Sea spray

(iii) Rain and Snow

(iv) Winds

(v) High temperature

The 6 factors that make outdoor pollution worse :-

(i) Carbon monoxide

(ii) Lead

(iii) Nitrogen dioxide

(iv) Ozone

(v) Particulate matter of different size fractions

(vi) Sulfur dioxide

Smog :-The smog is a kind of air pollution , originally named for the mixture of smoke and fog in air. The fog or haze intensified by smoke or other atmospheric pollutants is known as smog. Classical smog is formed when there is high concentration of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter produced due to combustion of fuels.

Acid rain :- Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compunds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air.These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water , oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

Greenhouse effect :- The greenhouse effect is the problem caused by increased quantities of gases such as carbon dioxide in air. These gases trap the heat from the sun , and cause a gradual rise in the temperature of earth's atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases keep our planet earth livable by holding onto some of earth's heat energy so that it doesn't all escape into space.