APES Unit 7 Vocab

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Carbon dioxide

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GHG that comes from the combustion of FFs and clearing of land (as organic matter decomposes). Single most important GHG because of its high atmospheric concentration, relative to other GHGs.

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Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

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A corrosive gas that comes primarily from combustion of FFs. Resp. Irritant, damages plant tissue, converts to sulfuric acid and acid rain.

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Particulate matter

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Solid or liquid particles suspended in air. Sources = combustion of pretty much all matter, construction, forest fires, volcanoes, roads. Resp. irritant, makes asthma worse, blocks sunlight (decreasing photosynthesis), and decreases visibility by creating haze.

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Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

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NO or NO2. NO2 is a pungent, reddish-brown gas. Both are released from combustion of pretty much all matter (FFs, wood, biomass, etc.) & decomposition of organic material in ag. fields. Resp. irritant, forms ozone and photochemical smog, converts to nitric acid and acid rain.

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Ozone (O3)

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Beneficial in the stratosphere (blocks UV rad.) but harmful to humans (resp. irr.) and plants in the troposphere. Forms as a secondary pollutant from the reaction of NOx + O2 + sunlight.

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Photochemical smog

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Air pollution that forms from the interaction between NOx + VOCs + Sunlight.

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Nitric acid

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(HNO3) formed when NO2 reacts with water vapor in the atmosphere. It is a harmful component of acid deposition and plays a role in photochemical smog.

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Carbon monoxide

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A colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas released from the incomplete combustion of most matter. Car exhaust is the number one source of CO. It displaces O2 in the blood stream, asphyxiating (suffocating) animals.

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Hydrocarbons

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Compounds composed of only carbon and hydrogen (FF, gasoline, diesel, etc.).

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Air quality

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The condition of the air based on the amount of pollutants in it. Air quality is measured and regulated by the EPA based on levels of major criteria pollutants.