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Primary and Secondary Pollutants: Dioxide and Other Components. Smog and Photochemical Smog

1. Smog is a combination of smoke and fog caused by burning fossil fuels like coal as well as vehicular emissions. 2. There are two main types of smog - sulfurous smog caused by coal burning and releases sulfur oxides, and photochemical smog formed when nitrogen oxides and organic compounds react in sunlight to form ozone. 3. Air pollution is worse in Delhi compared to Mumbai and Kolkata due to Delhi's proximity to polluting industries, vehicular emissions exacerbated by its inland geography and climate, and farm straw burning in surrounding regions.

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Vikram Das
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105 views6 pages

Primary and Secondary Pollutants: Dioxide and Other Components. Smog and Photochemical Smog

1. Smog is a combination of smoke and fog caused by burning fossil fuels like coal as well as vehicular emissions. 2. There are two main types of smog - sulfurous smog caused by coal burning and releases sulfur oxides, and photochemical smog formed when nitrogen oxides and organic compounds react in sunlight to form ozone. 3. Air pollution is worse in Delhi compared to Mumbai and Kolkata due to Delhi's proximity to polluting industries, vehicular emissions exacerbated by its inland geography and climate, and farm straw burning in surrounding regions.

Uploaded by

Vikram Das
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Smog

 Smog = smoke + fog (smoky fog) caused by the burning of large


amounts of coal, vehicular emission and industrial fumes (Primary
pollutants).
 Smog contains soot particulates like smoke, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide and other components.

 At least two distinct types of smog are recognized: sulfurous


smog and photochemical smog.

Primary and secondary pollutants


 A primary pollutant is an air pollutant emitted directly from a source.
 A secondary pollutant is not directly emitted as such, but forms when other
pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere.

 Examples of a secondary pollutant include ozone, which is formed when

1. hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) combine in the presence of


sunlight;
2. NO combines with oxygen in the air; and

3. acid rain, which is formed when sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides react with
water.

Sulfurous smog

 Sulfurous smog is also called “London smog,” (first formed in London).


 Sulfurous smog results from a high concentration of SULFUR OXIDES in
the air and is caused by the use of sulfur-bearing fossil fuels, particularly
coal (Coal was the mains source of power in London during nineteenth
century. The effects of coal burning were observed in early twentieth century).

 This type of smog is aggravated by dampness and a high concentration


of suspended particulate matter in the air.

Photochemical smog

 Photochemical smog is also known as “Los Angeles smog”.


 Photochemical smog occurs most prominently in urban areas that have
large numbers of automobiles (Nitrogen oxides are the primary emissions).
 Photochemical (summer smog) forms when pollutants such as nitrogen
oxides (primary pollutant) and organic compounds (primary pollutants)
react together in the presence of SUNLIGHT. A gas
called OZONE (Secondary pollutant) is formed.

Nitrogen Dioxide  +  Sunlight  +  Hydrocarbons  =  Ozone (Ozone in


stratosphere it is beneficial, but near the earth’s surface it results in global
warming as it is a greenhouse gas)
 The resulting smog causes a light brownish coloration of the atmosphere,
reduced visibility, plant damage, irritation of the eyes, and respiratory
distress.

Reactions involved
Haze
 Haze is traditionally an atmospheric phenomenon where dust, smoke and
other dry particles obscure the clarity of the sky (No condensation. Smog is
similar to haze but there is condensation in smog).
 Sources for haze particles include farming (ploughing in dry weather),
traffic, industry, and wildfires.

Effects of Smog
 The atmospheric pollution levels of Los Angeles, Beijing, Delhi, Mexico
City and other cities are increased by inversionthat traps pollution close to
the ground.

Temperature Inversion – Types – Effects on Weather


 It is usually highly toxic to humans and can cause severe sickness,
shortened life or death.
 Smog is a combination of airborne particulate matter, like soot, and
invisible toxic gases including ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur
dioxide (SO2), which are carcinogens (cancer causing agents).

 Temperature inversions are accentuated and precipitation is reduced.

 Smog related Haze lowers visibility.

Question: UPSC Mains 2015

Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the
air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the
other two. Why is this so?] [200 words]
 In spite of similar urbanization, air pollution is much more severe in Delhi
compared to that in Mumbai and Kolkata. This is because of
Polluting Industry in close vicinity in Delhi.
 Delhi and its immediate neighborhood is the hot bed of polluting
industries which are primarily coal fueled. Burning coal releases Oxides of
sulphur which forms sulphurous smog. This type of smog is more
pronounced in Delhi than in the other two cities due to geography and
climate.

Vehicular Emissions
 All the three cities contribute nearly equal vehicular emissions rich in CO2
and NO2. NO2 results in phochemical smog. Here again, Delhi is worst hit
due to its geography and climate.

Geography and Climate


 This the most detrimental factor. Delhi is a continental city while the
other two are coastal. Land and See Breezes in Mumbai and Kolkata carry
pollutants away from the city. There is no such advantage to Delhi as it is land
locked.
 Also, the duration of monsoon winds is short in Delhi compared to the
other two.

 Delhi faces severe cold wave in winter compared to the other two. Cold
climate here creates temperature inversion which traps the pollutants, mainly
smog, for a longer duration.

Farm Straw Burning


 Delhi is at the heart of major agricultural region. Burning of farm straw in
the surrounding regions also adds to Delhi’s pollution levels.

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