UNIT-I

SOURCES AND EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTANTS

PART-B

1. Discuss the ill-effects of air pollutants on human beings and their properties APR/MAY
2022
The effects of air pollution can be grouped under the following heads:
(i) Effects on human health,
(ii) Effects on animals and plants,
(iii) Effects on atmosphere.
1. Effects on Human Health:
 Some environmental poisons can cause acute illness and even death. Others may be
harmful, but the disease may take years or even decades to appear. Air pollution mainly
affects the respiratory system.
Bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and lung cancer are some of the chronic diseases caused due to
exposure to polluted air. It is feared that lung cancer is caused mainly due to polluted air because
carcinogens are found in it. Its mortality rate is higher in urban areas

2. Explain the classification of air pollutants based on its scale of impact. APR/MAY 2022

The two types of air pollutants are primary pollutants, which enter the atmosphere directly,
and secondary pollutants, which form from a chemical reaction.
Primary Pollutants
 Some primary pollutants are natural, such as volcanic ash. Dust is natural but exacerbated
by human activities; for example, when the ground is torn up
for agriculture or development. Carbon oxides include carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon
dioxide (CO2). Both are colorless, odorless gases. CO is toxic to both plants and animals.
CO and CO2 are both greenhouse gases.
 Nitrogen oxides are produced when nitrogen and oxygen from the atmosphere come
together at high temperatures. This occurs in hot exhaust gas from vehicles, power plants,
or factories. Nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are greenhouse gases.
Nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain.
 Sulfur oxides include sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3). These form when
sulfur from burning coal reaches the air. Sulfur oxides are components of acid rain.
 Particulates are solid particles, such as ash, dust, and fecal matter. They are commonly
formed from combustion of fossil fuels, and can produce smog. Particulates can
contribute to asthma, heart disease, and some types of cancers.
 Lead was once widely used in automobile fuels, paint, and pipes. This heavy metal can
cause brain damage or blood poisoning.
 Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are mostly hydrocarbons. Important VOCs include
methane (a naturally occurring greenhouse gas that is increasing because of human
activities), chlorofluorocarbons.
Secondary Pollutants
  Any city can have photochemical smog, but it is most common in sunny, dry locations. A
rise in the number of vehicles in cities worldwide has increased photochemical smog.
Nitrogen oxides, ozone, and several other compounds are some of the components of this
type of air pollution.
 Photochemical smog forms when car exhaust is exposed to sunlight. Nitrogen oxide is
created by gas combustion in cars
 In the presence of sunshine, the NO2 splits and releases an oxygen ion (O). The O then
combines with an oxygen molecule (O2) to form ozone (O3). This reaction can also go in
reverse: Nitric oxide (NO) removes an oxygen atom from ozone to make it O2. The
direction the reaction goes depends on how much NO2 and NO there is. If NO2 is three
times more abundant than NO, ozone will be produced. If nitric oxide levels are high,
ozone will not be created.
 .
3.Explain the signification of air quality standards in bringing air pollution control.
APR/MAY 2022

 A lack of ventilation indoors concentrates air pollution where people often spend the
majority of their time. Radon (Rn) gas, a carcinogen, is exuded from the Earth in certain
locations and trapped inside houses. Building materials
including carpeting and plywood emit formaldehyde (H2CO) gas. Paint and solvents give
off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as they dry.
 Lead paint can degenerate into dust and be inhaled. Intentional air pollution is introduced
with the use of air fresheners, incense, and other scented items. Controlled wood fires in
stoves and fireplaces can add significant amounts of smoke particulates into the air,
inside and out.[34] Indoor pollution fatalities may be caused by using pesticides and other
chemical sprays indoors without proper ventilation.
 Carbon monoxide poisoning and fatalities are often caused by faulty vents and chimneys,
or by the burning of charcoal indoors or in a confined space, such as a tent.
[35]
Chronic carbon monoxide poisoningcan result even from poorly-adjusted pilot lights.
Traps are built into all domestic plumbing to keep sewer gas and hydrogen sulfide, out of
interiors. Clothing emits tetrachloroethylene, or other dry cleaning fluids, for days
after dry cleaning.
 Though its use has now been banned in many countries, the extensive use of asbestos in
industrial and domestic environments in the past has left a potentially very dangerous
material in many localities.

4. Explain the principle of stake sampling and analysis for pollution collected. APR/MAY
2022

1. Absorption Sampling:
 It is the process by which a gaseous containment in air is removed by bringing the
contaminant into close contact with a liquid chemical with which it reacts to form a non-
gaseous substance.

 A standard chemical solution is prescribed for each gaseous contaminant to be collected.

In this technique, it is important to ensure that all the gaseous contaminants come in close
 contact with the chemical absorbing solution, and are retained long enough to allow a
complete reaction to occur. This is to ensure high collection efficiency.

2. Adsorption Sampling:
 This technique utilizes the phenomenon by which gases are attracted to the surface of a
solid and retained there. The total amount of the gaseous pollutant adsorbed is related to
the surface area of the adsorbent, the pressure and temperature maintained in the
sampling train, and the physical and chemical characteristics of the adsorbent used.

 The different adsorbents generally used are activated carbon, silica gel, activated
alumina, and a molecular sieve which is synthetic sodium or calcium aluminosilicate
shows a sample collecting device and a typical container.

3. Freeze Out or Condensation Sampling:

 This method is used to collect hydrocarbons, radioactive gases and insoluble or non-
reactive vapours. Air pollutants, existing as gases, can be trapped or removed by the
freeze out or condensation method; trapping implies collecting a pollutant, and removal
implies freeing unwanted gas contaminants from the gas stream.

 The mechanics of the freeze out condensation process is as follows: Air is drawn through
collection chambers at a progressively lower temperature; if the chamber temperature is
equal to or less than the boiling point of the gas, the gas will change into a liquid.

4. Grab Sampling:
 This is another technique for collecting gaseous pollutant samples. A grab sample is
taken out at a particular time, within an interval of a few seconds to a minute.

 The pollutant-absorbing solution is placed in the sampling apparatus, and the sample
collected is allowed to come to equilibrium with the absorbing solution available. A
deflated plastic bag evacuated flask gas/displacement collector or liquid/displacement
collector are used.
5. Tabulate the ambient air quality standard and metain the objectives. also write the step
taken to control the air pollution in India. NOV/DEC 2020

 Particle pollutants are major parts of air pollutants. In a simple definition, they are a
mixture of particles found in the air. Particle pollution which is more known as PM is
linked with most of pulmonary and cardiac-associated morbidity and mortality. They
have varied in size ranging mostly from 2.5 to 10 μm (PM2.5 to PM10).
 The size of particle pollutants is directly associated with the onset and progression of the
lungs and heart diseases. Particles of smaller size reach the lower respiratory tract and
thus have greater potential for causing the lungs and heart diseases. Moreover, numerous
scientific data have demonstrated that fine particle pollutants cause premature death in
people with heart and/or lung disease including cardiac dysrhythmias, nonfatal heart
attacks, aggravated asthma, and decreased lung functions.
 Depending on the level of exposure, particulate pollutants may cause mild to severe
illnesses. Wheezing, cough, dry mouth, and limitation in activities due to breathing
 problems are the most prevalent clinical symptoms of respiratory disease resulted from
air pollution

6. Classify the various sources of air pollution discuss the control method of each them with
examble. NOV/DEC 2020
Earth's atmosphere consists of a dynamic system of natural gases necessary to sustain life.
While the planet has defense mechanisms to absorb small quantities of air pollutants, high
levels of gases can cause ozone depletion in the atmosphere and other problems for living
organisms.
The main sources of gaseous air pollutants include fuel combustion in factories and in coal-
burning power plants, as well as emissions from automobiles. While these gases are not the
only ones contributing to air pollution, they represent the dominant sources of this world-
wide problem.
Carbon Oxides

Carbon oxides are among the most well-known greenhouse gases contributing to the air
pollution plaguing the Earth's atmosphere. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas -- highly
dangerous due to its lack of odor and color -- released into the atmosphere with the incomplete
combustion of fuels, such as coal, wood or other natural sources, as well as exhaust from
automobiles.
Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogen oxides are air pollutants that contribute contaminants to the Earth's atmospheric.
Like carbon oxides, vehicle emissions are a major source of nitrogen oxides. These air pollutants
are easily recognizable by the brown plume or haze that forms over areas with high
concentrations of these gases. Nitrogen dioxide is one of the most prominent and dangerous air
pollutants, and this toxic gas is easily identifiable by its reddish-brown color and distinctive,
sharp odor.
Sulfur Oxides

Sulfur oxides include another group of gases that pollute the Earth's atmosphere. Of grave
concern is sulfur dioxide, one of the major components of smog -- and a primary cause of acid
rain. While sulfur dioxide occurs naturally when volcanoes erupt, the combustion of sulfur-
containing fuels such as petroleum oils and coal results in a dangerous air pollutant eating away
at the Earth's fragile atmosphere. Dangerous to both plants and animals, sulfur oxides can injure
organic matter in high concentrations and can cause respiratory problems by irritating air
passages and lungs.

7.Enumerate the effects of CO2 ,SO and heavy metals on human being.
 Chemicals are part of our daily life. All living and inanimate matter is made up of
chemicals and virtually every manufactured product involves the use of chemicals. Many
chemicals can, when properly used, significantly contribute to the improvement of our
quality of life, health and well-being.
  But other chemicals are highly hazardous and can negatively affect our health and
environment when improperly managed. WHO compiled a list of the 10 major chemicals
of concern, which includes many heavy metals:
 •Air pollution •Arsenic •Asbestos •Benzene •Cadmium •Dioxin and dioxin-like
substances •Inadequate or excess fluoride •Lead •Mercury •Highly hazardous pesticides
8.Explain any one method of analysis of Air Pollutants at source.
Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including
gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere. It may
cause diseases, allergies and even death to humans; it may also cause harm to other living
organisms such as animals and food crops, and may damage the natural or built
environment. Both human activity and natural processes can generate air pollution.
Secondary pollutants include:
 Particulates created from gaseous primary pollutants and compounds in photochemical
smog. Smog is a kind of air pollution. Classic smog results from large amounts of coal
burning in an area caused by a mixture of smoke and sulphur dioxide. Modern smog does
not usually come from coal but from vehicular and industrial emissions that are acted on
in the atmosphere by ultraviolet light from the sun to form secondary pollutants that also
combine with the primary emissions to form photochemical smog.
 Ground level ozone (O3) formed from NOx and VOCs. Ozone (O3) is a key constituent of
the troposphere. It is also an important constituent of certain regions of the stratosphere
commonly known as the Ozone layer. Photochemical and chemical reactions involving it
drive many of the chemical processes that occur in the atmosphere by day and by night.
At abnormally high concentrations brought about by human activities (largely the
combustion of fossil fuel), it is a pollutant and a constituent of smog.
 Peroxyacetyl nitrate (C2H3NO5) – similarly formed from NOx and VOCs.

9.Discuss the global warning- pollutants responsible, their sources and impacts.
Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes
adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat
or light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or
naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source
pollution.

 Air pollution: the release of chemicals and particulates into the atmosphere. Common
gaseous pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles.
Photochemical ozone and smog are created as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react to
sunlight. Particulate matter, or fine dust is characterized by their micrometre size PM10 to
PM2.5.
 Light pollution: includes light trespass, over-illumination and astronomical interference.

 Littering: the criminal throwing of inappropriate man-made objects, unremoved, onto

public and private properties.
  Noise pollution: which encompasses roadway noise, aircraft noise, industrial noise as
well as high-intensity sonar.

 Plastic pollution: involves the accumulation of plastic products and microplastics in the
environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, or humans.

10.Discuss in detail about the effects of air pollution on plants and farm animals.

Some air pollutants harm plants and animals directly. Other pollutants harm the habitat, food
or water that plants and animals need to survive. Read on to learn more about how air pollutants
harm plants and animals.

Acid rain harms living things

When acidic air pollutants combine with water droplets in clouds, the water becomes acidic.
When those droplets fall to the ground, the acid rain can damage the environment. Damage due
to acid rain kills trees and harms animals, fish, and other wildlife. Acid rain can destroy the
leaves of plants like in the picture at the left. When acid rain soaks into the ground, it can make
the soil an unfit habitat for many living things. Acid rain also changes the chemistry of the water
in lakes and streams, harming fish and other aquatic life.

The thinning ozone layer harms living things

Air pollutants called chlorofluorocarbons(or CFCs) have destroyed parts of
the ozone layer.The ozone layer, located in the stratosphere layer of Earth's atmosphere, shields
our planet from the Sun's ultraviolet radiation. The areas of thin ozone are called ozone holes.
Ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer and damages plants and wildlife.

Tropospheric ozone harms living things

Ozone molecules wind up near the Earth's surface as a part of air pollution. Ozone
molecules near the ground damages lung tissues of animals and prevent plant respiration by
blocking the openings in leaves where respiration occurs. Without respiration, a plant is not able
to photosynthesize at a high rate and so it will not be able to grow.

Global warming harms living things

Our planet is currently warming much more rapidly than expected because
additional greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere from air pollution. When
fuels are burned, some of the pollutants released are greenhouses gases. Through the process of
photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and use the carbon to grow larger.
However, the amount of carbon dioxide released by burning fuels is much more than plants can
convert.

Global warming is causing changes to the places where plants and animals live around the world.
For example:

 Near the poles, ice and frozen ground are melting. This causes changes in the habitat and
resources for plants and animals living there.
  Ocean warming, rising sea levels, runoff, and coral diseases are causing change in
shallow marine environments such as coral reefs.

 Global warming is causing less rain to fall in the middle of continents. This makes these
areas very dry and limits water resources for plants and animals.

11.Discuss in detail about the effects of air pollution on human beings and vegetation.

Effects on Human Health:

 Some environmental poisons can cause acute illness and even death. Others may be
harmful, but the disease may take years or even decades to appear. Air pollution mainly
affects the respiratory system.
 Bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and lung cancer are some of the chronic diseases caused
due to exposure to polluted air. It is feared that lung cancer is caused mainly due to
polluted air because carcinogens are found in it. Its mortality rate is higher in urban areas.
Effects on vegetation:
 Whilst acid rain is a major cause of damage to vegetation, air pollutants which can also
be harmful directly. These include sulphur dioxide and ozone. Sulphur dioxide, one of the
main components of acid rain, has direct effects on vegetation.

12.Briefly discuss the Sedimentation air sampling methods.

The following points highlight the four main methods of air sampling. The methods are: 1.
Gravity Sedimentation Methods 2. Inertial Methods 3. Filtration 4. Precipitation.

Gravity Sedimentation Methods:

Sedimentation from wind:
The method of examining air from deposits on a freely exposed, horizontal surface, such
as microscopic slides was used by earlier scientists like Pasteur, Pouchet and even can be traced
back to van Leeuwenhock but it fails to examine air quantitatively.
Inertial Methods:
In this method the particles may be retained on filters, on flat surface or on liquids. Air
sample may be drawn through a jet tube or apparatus may move the trapping surface through the
air.
Filtration:
In this method, the particle is removed from the air by suction. The air is allowed to pass
through fibrous or porous medium that sieves the particles. In such a case filters with smooth
surface like molecular membranes are suitable for the microscopic examination of the entrapped
particles.
Precipitation:
i) Electrostatic precipitation:
It is very useful for small particles. Air is drawn through the sampling unit and the
particles are charged near the entrance and then attracted to an electrode of opposite charge
inside the instrument.
ii) Thermal precipitation:
 These are similar to electrostatic precipitations through the electrostatic charges. From the
air which flows through the sampler the particles are driven away from a hot surface to a cooler
one.
13.Briefly discuss the Impingement methods air sampling methods.
 One of the most prevalent groups isolated from field fungal samples. To provide a
quantitative basis for determining the airborne yeast concentration, the bio efficiency of
three sampling methods as well as the effects of relative humidity, sampling time, and
flow rates were evaluated. The experiments were performed on the basis of total
recovery, which was the ratio of CFU concentration and total particle concentration
measured by an aerodynamic particle sizer.
 The bio efficiency results demonstrated that the total recovery of airborne yeast collected
by the AGI-30 impinger was above 80% at 70% relative humidity, while it decreased
rapidly as relative humidity decreased beneath 60%.
 This might be related to undergoing desiccation and losing cultuer ability before
collection for yeast cells following bio aerosol generation from liquid suspension. The
filtration outcome indicated that dehydration effects were significant and total recovery
was < 20% for Nuclepore and gelatin filters. In addition, no significant effects were
observed for sampling time and flow rates for biological recoveries of these three
sampling methods.
14.Explain the various effects of air pollution on materials.

 The damage due to air pollution on materials is really a serious concern since the
service life of buildings is remarkably reduced. It is true that the intensity of
manmade pollutants on building degradation is more than the impact of natural
pollutants.
 Most importantly the affects of soiling, degradation, corrosion and erosion caused by
So2 are very much serious.
 The effect of air pollution on materials may be seen in terms of discoloration,
material loss, structural failing and soiling. Both discoloration and structural failure
due to air pollution on buildings may be insignificant and that may not involve huge
coasts.
 But the effect of corrosion due to acidic deposition costs a lot. Especially the effect of
sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions is very much significant. The effect
of calcium sulphate has been very significant and may be continued for fairly long
time.
 When calcium carbonate dissolves in sulphuric acid leads to the formation of calcium
sulphate. The calcium sulphate when it falls on stone breaks the surface of the
building blocks.

15.Describe the effects of ozone layer depletion.

 Public misconceptions and misunderstandings of complex issues like the ozone depletion
are common. The limited scientific knowledge of the public led to a confusion with
global warmingor the perception of global warming as a subset of the "ozone hole".In the
beginning, classical green NGOs refrained from using CFC depletion for campaigning, as
they assumed the topic was too complicated.
 The metaphors used in the CFC discussion (ozone shield, ozone hole) are not "exact" in
the scientific sense. The "ozone hole" is more of a depression, less "a hole in the
 windshield". The ozone does not disappear through the layer, nor is there a uniform
"thinning" of the ozone layer. However they resonated better with non-scientists and their
concerns.
 The ozone hole was seen as a "hot issue" and imminent risk ] as lay people feared severe
personal consequences such as skin cancer, cataracts, damage to plants, and reduction of
plankton populations in the ocean's photic zone.
 Not only on the policy level, ozone regulation compared to climate change fared much
better in public opinion. Americans voluntarily switched away from aerosol sprays before
legislation was enforced, while climate change failed to achieve comparable concern and
public action. The sudden recognition in 1985 that there was a substantial "hole" was
widely reported in the press. The especially rapid ozone depletion in Antarctica had
previously been dismissed as a measurement errorScientific consensus was established
after regulation.
16.Describe the particulates and gaseous pollutants that occur in ambient air with its
harmful effects on human beings.

 Particle pollutants are major parts of air pollutants. In a simple definition, they are a
mixture of particles found in the air. Particle pollution which is more known as PM is
linked with most of pulmonary and cardiac-associated morbidity and mortality. They
have varied in size ranging mostly from 2.5 to 10 μm (PM2.5 to PM10).
 The size of particle pollutants is directly associated with the onset and progression of the
lungs and heart diseases. Particles of smaller size reach the lower respiratory tract and
thus have greater potential for causing the lungs and heart diseases. Moreover, numerous
scientific data have demonstrated that fine particle pollutants cause premature death in
people with heart and/or lung disease including cardiac dysrhythmias, nonfatal heart
attacks, aggravated asthma, and decreased lung functions.
 Depending on the level of exposure, particulate pollutants may cause mild to severe
illnesses. Wheezing, cough, dry mouth, and limitation in activities due to breathing
problems are the most prevalent clinical symptoms of respiratory disease resulted from
air pollution
 Long-term exposure to current ambient PM concentrations may lead to a marked
reduction in life expectancy. The increase of cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality
are the main reasons for the reduction in life expectancy. Reduced lung functions in
children and adults leading to asthmatic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) are also serious diseases which induce lower quality of life and reduced
life expectancy. Strong evidence on the effect of long-term exposure to PM on
cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary mortality come from cohort studies

17.Discuss the effects of air pollution on human, animal and plants?

Effects on Human Health:

 Some environmental poisons can cause acute illness and even death. Others may be
harmful, but the disease may take years or even decades to appear. Air pollution mainly
affects the respiratory system.
  Bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and lung cancer are some of the chronic diseases caused
due to exposure to polluted air. It is feared that lung cancer is caused mainly due to
polluted air because carcinogens are found in it. Its mortality rate is higher in urban areas.

 Sulfur dioxide is the most serious and widespread air pollutant. Its lower concentration is
a cause of spasms in the smooth muscle of bronchioles and its higher concentration
induces increased mucus production.

Effects on Animals and Plants:

 The impact of air pollution on animals is more or less similar to that on man. Chronic
poisoning results from the ingestion of forage contaminated with atmospheric pollutants.
Among the metallic contaminants, arsenic, lead and molybdenum are important. Fluoride
is another pollutant, which causes fluorosis among animals.

 A number of livestock have been poisoned by fluorides and arsenic in North America.
Bone lesions in animals due to excessive fluorides have also been reported.

 Fluorides are responsible for various types of injuries to plants. The leaves of apple,
apricot, fig, peach and prune are more susceptible to air borne fluorides. Fluorides seem
to interfere with the photosynthesis and respiration of plants. Smog also causes injury to
plants. Similar impact of ozone can be seen in the lesions to plants. Chlorine, ammonia,
hydrogen sulfide, etc., are also harmful to vegetation.
3. Effects on Atmosphere:
 Some of the effects of air pollution on atmospheric conditions, such as effect on ozone
layer, greenhouse effect, etc., have already been discussed.
 There is an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the air due to increased
combustion of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat strongly and the radiative cooling
effect of the earth is thus decreased.
4. Other Effects:
 Air pollution can also cause damage to property and materials. The smoke, grit, dust and
oxides of sulphur have harmful effects on structures.

18.Explain in detail aboutEffects of ozone layer depletion.

Damage to human health

If the ozone layer is depleted, it means humans will be overly exposed to strong UV light.
Overexposure to strong UV light causes skin cancer, cataracts, sunburns, weakening of immune
system and quick aging.
Devastation to environment
Many crops species are vulnerable to strong UV light and overexposure may well lead to
minimal growth, photosynthesis and flowering. Some of the crop species vulnerable to UV light
include barley, wheat, corn, oats, rice, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower just to name a few. Forests
equally bear the brunt of ozone depletion.
Threat to marine life
Certain marine life, especially planktons, is greatly impacted by exposure to strong ultraviolet
rays. In the aquatic food chain, planktons appear high up. If planktons decrease in number due to
ozone layer destruction, the marine food chain would be disrupted in many ways. Also,
overexposure of sun rays could reduce the fortunes of fishers. On top of that, certain species of
marine life have been greatly affected by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation at their early
stage.
Effect on animals
In domesticated animals, too much Ultraviolet radiation could also lead to skin and eye cancer.
Impacts certain materials
Materials like plastics, wood, fabrics, rubber are massively degraded by too much ultraviolet
radiation.

19. Enumerate the control of ozone layer depletion.

Solutions to Ozone Depletion
1. Desist from using pesticides
Pesticides are great chemicals to rid your farm of pests and weeds, but they contribute
enormously to ozone layer depletion. The surefire solution to get rid of pests and weeds is to
apply natural methods. Just weed your farm manually and use alternative eco-friendly chemicals
to alleviate pests.
2. Discourage driving of private vehicles
The easiest technique to minimize ozone depletion is to limit the number of vehicles on the road.
These vehicles emit a lot of greenhouse gases that eventually form smog, a catalyst in the
depletion of ozone layer.
3. Utilize environmentally friendly cleaning products
Most household cleaning products are loaded with harsh chemicals that find way to the
atmosphere, eventually contributing to degradation of the ozone layer. Use natural
and environmentally friendly cleaning products to arrest this situation.
4. Prohibit the use of harmful nitrous oxide
The Montreal Protocol formed in 1989 helped a lot in the limitation of Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs). However, the protocol never covered nitrous oxide, which is a known harmful chemical
that can destroy the ozone layer. Nitrous oxide is still in use today. Governments must take
action now and outlaw nitrous oxide use to reduce the rate of ozone depletion.

20. Enumerate the causes of ozone layer depletion.

 Ozone-Depleting Substances have been proven to be eco-friendly, very stable and non-
toxic in the atmosphere below. This is why they have gained popularity over the years.
However, their stability comes at a price; they are able to float and remain static high up
in the stratosphere. When up there, ODS are comfortably broken down by the strong UV
light and the resultant chemical is chlorine and bromine.
 Chlorine and bromine are known to deplete the ozone layer at supersonic speeds. They do
this by simply stripping off an atom from the ozone molecule. One chlorine molecule has
the capability to break down thousands of ozone molecules.
 Ozone-depleting substances have stayed and will continue to stay in the atmosphere for
many years. This, essentially, implies that a lot of the ozone-depleting substances human
have allowed to go into the atmosphere for the previous 90 years are still on their journey
to the atmosphere, which is why they will contribute to ozone depletion.
 The chief ozone-depleting substances include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon
tetrachloride, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and methyl chloroform.
 Halons, sometimes known as brominated fluorocarbons, also contribute mightily to ozone
depletion. However, their application is greatly restricted since they are utilized in
specific fire extinguishers. The downside to halons is they are so potent that they are able
to deplete the ozone layer 10 times more than ozone-depleting substances.

21. Explain the economic impacts air pollution.

  There are numerous effects of air pollution on the ecosystem which in turn have various
economic implications. In simple terminology, we can say that air pollution effects can
be both direct and indirect. For instance, pollution of air primarily causes respiratory and
other health hazards in people who are being directly exposed to various harmful gases.
 The secondary, and long run impact, would be that following the health problems, the
productivity of workers might be adversely affected which in turn hamper output levels.
Information on physical and biological responses, including human health, to alternative
environmental states forms the traditional scientific basis for setting environmental
standards. Estimates of the benefits and costs associated with environmental regulation
can be used in support of such standards by providing an additional measure of efficiency
of environmental management programs.
 With respect to air pollution control, the Clean Air Act in foreign specifically states that
regulatory decisions are to be based on human health and other physical and biological
science information, not economic efficiency criteria.
Some forms of air pollution are generated primarily by anthropogenic sources which is
the term used for humans.
 Others, such as ozone, occur both naturally and anthropogenically. The recognition of
anthropogenic sources of pollutants and their biological and economic effects on
managed ecosystems such as agricultural crops and forests provided impetus for air
pollution control programs.

22. Explain the Composition of the Ozone Layer.

 It comes as a surprise that the same UV rays form the bulk of ozone layer. Ozone is an
extraordinary kind of oxygen composed of 3 oxygen atoms instead of the normal 2 oxygen
atoms. Ozone layer normally develops when a few kinds of electrical discharge or radiation
splits the 2 atoms in an oxygen(O2) molecule, which then independently reunite with other
types of molecules to form ozone. The ozone layer has been shielding life on planet earth for
billions of years, but it’s now being worn out by human activities.

 People began to value the importance of the ozone layer when scientists released a research
finding suggesting that certain human-made chemicals known as chlorofluorocarbons
managed to reach the stratosphere and depleted the ozone via a profound series of chemical
reactions. The results of this research study prompted the signing of a global treaty known as
the Montreal Protocol in 1973. This treaty helped in the reduction of the production of these
harmful human-made chemicals.
 These targeted efforts have seen the ozone layer recovering over the past years. The thickness
of the ozone layer varies immensely on any day and location. Due to relentless vertical
atmospheric air circulation in both the stratosphere and troposphere, the amount of ozone
layer shielding humans from strong UV rays can be lesser or greater.

UN EXPECTED QUESTIONS
23. Explain in detail about Emission factors.
 Air pollutant emission factors are reported representative values that attempt to relate the
quantity of a pollutant released to the ambient air with an activity associated with the
release of that pollutant.
 These factors are usually expressed as the weight of pollutant divided by a unit weight,
volume, distance, or duration of the activity emitting the pollutant (e.g., kilograms of
particulate emitted per tonne of coal burned). Such factors facilitate estimation of
emissions from various sources of air pollution. In most cases, these factors are simply
averages of all available data of acceptable quality, and are generally assumed to be
representative of long-term averages.
 There are 12 compounds in the list of persistent organic pollutants. Dioxins and furans
are two of them and intentionally created by combustion of organics, like open burning of
plastics. These compounds are also endocrine disruptors and can mutate the human
genes.
24. Explain in detail about reduction effect in air pollution.
 Various air pollution control technologies and strategies are available to reduce air
pollution. At its most basic level, land-use planning is likely to involve zoning and
transport infrastructure planning. In most developed countries, land-use planning is an
important part of social policy, ensuring that land is used efficiently for the benefit of the
wider economy and population, as well as to protect the environment.
 Efforts to reduce pollution from mobile sources includes primary regulation (many
developing countries have permissive regulations ] expanding regulation to new sources
(such as cruise and transport ships, farm equipment, and small gas-powered equipment
such as string trimmers, chainsaws, and snowmobiles), increased fuel efficiency (such as
through the use of hybrid vehicles), conversion to cleaner fuels or conversion to electric
vehicles.
 Titanium dioxide has been researched for its ability to reduce air
pollution. Ultraviolet light will release free electrons from material, thereby creating free
radicals, which break up VOCs and NOx gases. One form is superhydrophilic.
25. Briefly describe about alternative pollution in air.
 Areas downwind (over 20 miles) of major airports more than double total particulate
emissions in air, even when factoring in areas with frequent ship calls, and heavy freeway
and city traffic like Los Angeles. Aviation biofuel mixed in with jetfuel at a 50/50 ratio
can reduce jet derived cruise altitude particulate emissions by 50-70%, according to a
NASA led 2017 study (however, this should imply ground level benefits to urban air
pollution as well)
 Ship propulsion and idling can be switched to much cleaner fuels like natural gas.
(Ideally a renewable source but not practical yet)
 Combustion of fossil fuels for space heating can be replaced by using ground source heat
pumps and seasonal thermal energy storage.[103]
 Electric power generation from burning fossil fuels can be replaced by power generation
from nuclear and renewables. For poor nations, heating and home stoves that contribute
much to regional air pollution can be replaced by a much cleaner fossil fuel like natural
gas, or ideally, renewables.
 Motor vehicles driven by fossil fuels, a key factor in urban air pollution, can be replaced
by electric vehicles. Though lithium supply and cost is a limitation, there are alternatives.
Herding more people into clean public transit such as electric trains can also help.
 Nevertheless, even in emission-free electric vehicles, rubber tires produce significant
amounts of air pollution themselves, ranking as 13th worst pollutant in Los Angeles.[104]
26. Explain in detail mortality in air pollution.
 The World Health Organization estimated in 2014 that every year air pollution causes the
premature death of some 7 million people worldwide. ]Studies published in March 2019
indicated that the number may be around 8.8 million.
 India has the highest death rate due to air pollution. India also has more deaths from
asthma than any other nation according to the World Health Organization. In December
2013 air pollution was estimated to kill 500,000 people in China each year
 There is a positive correlation between pneumonia-related deaths and air pollution from
motor vehicle emissions.
 Annual premature European deaths caused by air pollution are estimated at 430,000 [41]-
800,000[37] An important cause of these deaths is nitrogen dioxide and other nitrogen
oxides (NOx) emitted by road vehicles. [41] In a 2015 consultation document the UK
government disclosed that nitrogen dioxide is responsible for 23,500 premature UK
deaths per annum.[42] Across the European Union, air pollution is estimated to reduce life
expectancy by almost nine months.

27. write the air pollution Effects on Atmosphere:

 Some of the effects of air pollution on atmospheric conditions, such as effect on ozone
layer, greenhouse effect, etc., have already been discussed.
 There is an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the air due to increased
combustion of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide absorbs heat strongly and the radiative cooling
effect of the earth is thus decreased.
 The rising of temperatures and ozone holes are some of the problems which have
attracted the attention of the scientists all over the world.
 These problems are not related to any region or a country but are the global problems and
their impact on world climate may be hazardous to the whole world.
 UNIT-II
DISPERSION OF POLLUTANTS
PART-B

1. Demonstrate the plume behavior from stack for the various prevaililng atmosphere
stability conditions. APR/MAY 2022
OR

Compare the plume behavior under different condition of atmosphere stability,

NOV/DEC 2020

 Looping plumes take place when there has been a super-adiabatic lapse rate and solar
heating. The large thermal eddies in the unstable air may bring the plume to the ground level
periodically. In general, however, the direction of the plume with the surrounding air occurs
rather rapidly.
 Coning plume gets resulted in when the vertical air temperature gradient has been between
dry adiabatic and isothermal, the air being slightly unstable with some horizontal and vertical
mixing occurring. Coning is most likely to occur during cloudy or windy periods.
 Fanning plumes spread out horizontally but do not mix vertically. Fanning plumes take place
when the air temperature increases with altitude (inversion). The plume rarely reaches the
grounds level unless the inversion is broken by surface heating or the plume encounters a
hill. At night, with light winds and clear skies, fanning plumers are most probable.
 Lofting plumes diffuse upward but not downwards and occur when there is a super-adiabatic
layer above a surface inversion. A lofting plume will generally not reach the ground surface.
 Fumigation causes the high pollutant concentration plume reaching the ground level along
the length of the plume and is caused by a super-adiabatic lapse rate be4neath an inversion.
The super-adiabatic lapse rate at the ground level occurs due to the solar heating. This
condition has been favored by clear skies and light winds.

2. Illustrate the Gaussian dispersal models for ground level concentration of pollutants for
the emission from a stack. Discuss the all the factors in the elevation of the model.
APR/MAY 2022,
OR
Explain the Gaussian model and state the application NO/DEC 2020

 Steady-state conditions, which imply that the rate of emission from the point source is
constant.
 Homogeneous flow, which implies that the wind speed is constant both in time and with
height (wind direction shear is not considered).
 Pollutant is conservative and no gravity fallout.
 Perfect reflection of the plume at the underlying surface, i.e. no ground absorption.
 The turbulent diffusion in the x-direction is neglected relative to advection in the transport
direction , which implies that the model should be applied for average wind speeds of more
than 1 m/s (> 1 m/s).
 The coordinate system is directed with its x-axis into the direction of the flow, and the v
(lateral) and w (vertical) components of the time averaged wind vector are set to zero.
 The terrain underlying the plume is flat
 All variables are ensemble averaged, which implies long-term averaging with stationary
conditions.

3. Explain the importance of the metrology in the atmosphere diffusion. NOV/DEC 2020
 Air quality is closely linked to the atmosphere’s ability to scatter pollutants. Perhaps
you’ve heard “Dilution is the solution to pollution.” To a large degree, this is true. If
the air into which pollution is released is not dispersed, the air will become more
toxic. Two of the most important atmospheric conditions affecting the distribution of
pollutants are wind strength and air stability.
 High wind speeds mix polluted air into a larger volume of surrounding air, causing
the pollution to be more diluted. When winds are light, there is less turbulence and
mixing, so the concentration of pollutants is higher.
Atmospheric stability affects vertical movements of air. In general, the larger the extent of
vertical mixing, the better the air quality is. During a temperature inversion, the atmosphere
is very stable and it does not move much vertically

4. What are the conditions that determine the atmosphere stability? NOV/DEC 2020,
 Source characterstics
 Emission rate of pollutants
 Stack height
 Exit velocity of the gas
 Exit temperature of the gas
 Stack diameter
 Wind velocity
 Wind direction
 Ambient temperature
 Atmospheric stability

5. Briefly discuss about the various meterological parameters that influencing air
pollution.

Air movements influence the fate of air pollutants. So any study of air pollution should
include a study of the local weather patterns (meteorology).
If the air is calm and pollutants cannot disperse, then the concentration of these pollutants
will build up. On the other hand, when strong, turbulent winds blow, pollutants disperse quickly,
resulting in lower pollutant concentrations.
 Wind speed and direction
  Temperature
 Humidity
 Rainfall
 Solar radiation
6. Explain the effects of lapse rate on plump behavior with neat sketch.
 The lapse rate is the rate at which an atmospheric variable,
normally temperature in Earth's atmosphere, changes with altitude.
 Lapse ratearises from the word lapse, in the sense of a gradual change. It corresponds to
the vertical component of the spatial gradient of temperature.
 Although this concept is most often applied to the Earth's troposphere, it can be extended
to any gravitationally supported parcel of gas
7. What do you understand by dispersion models? Explain Gaussian dispersion model in
detail.
 The dispersion models are used to estimate the downwind ambient concentration of
air pollutants or toxins emitted from sources such as industrial plants, vehicular traffic
or accidental chemical releases. They are most useful for pollutants that
are dispersed over large distances and that may react in the atmosphere.
 This is a simple mathematical model used to estimate the concentration of pollutants
at a point at some distance from the source of emission. This model is used for static
as well as mobile sources of emissions. In this model, the dispersion in the three
dimensions is calculated.
 Dispersion in the downwind direction is a function of the mean wind speed blowing
across the plume. Air pollution is represented by an idealized plume coming from the
top of a stack of some height and diameter. The major assumption in this model is
that over short periods of time (such as a few hours), steady state conditions exists
with regard to air pollutant emissions and meteorological changes.
8. Explain the elements of the atmosphere.
 Temperature
 Precipitation
 Rainfall
 Pressure and Planetary Winds
 Land, Sea Breezes and Monsoons
 Fohn or Chinook Winds
 Cyclonic Activities
 Climatic Types and Natural Vegetation.

9. Explain the atmospheric stability process through temperature lapse rate.

 The actual stability of an air parcel is determined by the orientation of
the environmental lapse rate in comparison with either the dry or moist adiabatic
lapse rates.
 The environmental lapse rate is simply what it says- the rate of change of
the temperature of the environment (atmosphere) with changing altitude.
  Here's how atmospheric stability affects rising airRising air cools at a constant rate,
which the temperature of the surrounding air does not affect. An unstable
atmosphere is one in which rising air will remain warmer than the surrounding
atmosphere as it rises
10. Describe in details about the various dispersion models in air pollution control.

 Atmospheric dispersion modeling is the mathematical simulation of how air

pollutants disperse in the ambient atmosphere. It is performed with computer programs that
include algorithms to solve the mathematical equations that govern the pollutant dispersion.
The dispersion models are used to estimate the downwind ambient concentration of air
pollutants or toxins emitted from sources such as industrial plants, vehicular traffic or
accidental chemical releases.
 They can also be used to predict future concentrations under specific scenarios (i.e. changes
in emission sources). Therefore, they are the dominant type of model used in air quality
policy making. They are most useful for pollutants that are dispersed over large distances and
that may react in the atmosphere.
 For pollutants that have a very high spatio-temporal variability (i.e. have very steep distance
to source decay such as black carbon) and for epidemiological studies statistical land-use
regression models are also used.
 Dispersion models are important to governmental agencies tasked with protecting and
managing the ambient air quality.
 The models are typically employed to determine whether existing or proposed new industrial
facilities are or will be in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS) in the United States and other nations. The models also serve to assist in
the design of effective control strategies to reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants.

11. Explain the assumption made in Gaussian depretion model and mention gauss
dispersion equation.

 The technical literature on air pollution dispersion is quite extensive and dates back to the
1930s and earlier. One of the early air pollutant plume dispersion equations was derived
by Bosanquet and Pearson.[2] Their equation did not assume Gaussian distribution nor did
it include the effect of ground reflection of the pollutant plume.
 Sir Graham Sutton derived an air pollutant plume dispersion equation in 1947 [3] which
did include the assumption of Gaussian distribution for the vertical and crosswind
dispersion of the plume and also included the effect of ground reflection of the plume.
 Under the stimulus provided by the advent of stringent environmental control regulations,
there was an immense growth in the use of air pollutant plume dispersion calculations
between the late 1960s and today. A great many computer programs for calculating the
dispersion of air pollutant emissions were developed during that period of time and they
were called "air dispersion models". The basis for most of those models was
the Complete Equation For Gaussian Dispersion Modeling Of Continuous, Buoyant Air
Pollution Plumes
12. List the types of plume behavior and relate each to atmospheric condition.
 The behavior of the smoke plume diffusing under five different thermal stratifications
(neutral, unstable, stable, sea breeze fumigation and land breeze lofting) simulated in
a large stratified wind tunnel was investigated. The effects of emission height on the
diffusion patterns was also examined for the neutral, unstable and stable cases.
  Hot and cold-wire anemometer flow field measurement and flow field visualization
were used to explain the plume characteristics. The simulated sea breeze fumigation
configuration, in which the emission from an elevated source near the shore
intersected the thermal boundary layer, resulted in the rapid downward mixing of the
plume, characteristic of fumigation.
 The plume from a stack emitted into the unstable upper layer of the simulated land
breeze lofting configuration, lofted above, but did not penetrate down into the stable
layer which formed over the sea.
13. How do atmospheric layer in air pollution?

 Discussion of the layers in the Earth's atmosphere is needed to understand where airborne
pollutants disperse in the atmosphere. The layer closest to the Earth's surface is known as
the troposphere.
 The lowest part of the troposphere is called the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) or
the planetary boundary layer (PBL) . The air temperature of the atmosphere decreases
with increasing altitude until it reaches what is called an inversion layer (where the
temperature increases with increasing altitude) that caps the Convective Boundary Layer,
typically to about 1.5 to 2.0 km in height.
 The upper part of the troposphere (i.e., above the inversion layer) is called the free
troposphere and it extends up to the tropopause (the boundary in the Earth's atmosphere
between the troposphere and the stratosphere).
 In tropical and mid-latitudes during daytime, the Free convective layer can comprise the
entire troposphere, which is up to 10 km to 18 km in the Intertropical convergence zone.
 The ABL is of the most important with respect to the emission, transport and dispersion
of airborne pollutants. The part of the ABL between the Earth's surface and the bottom of
the inversion layer is known as the mixing layer.
 Almost all of the airborne pollutants emitted into the ambient atmosphere are transported
and dispersed within the mixing layer. Some of the emissions penetrate the inversion
layer and enter the free troposphere above the ABL.
14. Explain the influence of meterological factors on air pollutants dispersion.
In a realistic fiber, however, there are random imperfections that break the circular
symmetry, causing the two polarizations to propagate with different speeds. In this case, the two
polarization components of a signal will slowly separate, e.g. causing pulses to spread and
overlap. Because the imperfections are random, the pulse spreading effects correspond to
a random walk, and thus have a mean polarization-dependent time-differential Δτ (also called
the differential group delay, or DGD) proportional to the square root of propagation distance L
15. Discuss the various plume patterns for the different prevailing lapse rate.
 If no heat is exchanged with the surrounding air during this process, which is called
“adiabatic cooling”, the rate at which the air cools, the Adiabatic Lapse Rate (ALR) is a
constant. The ELR (Environmental Lapse Rate) is the actual rate at which the ambient
temperature changes with height.
 The lapse rate is the rate at which an atmospheric variable, normally temperature in
Earth's atmosphere, changes with altitude. Although this concept is most often applied to
the Earth's troposphere, it can be extended to any gravitationally supported parcel of gas.
16. What is a dispersion mode and explain its.
  Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is a form of modal dispersion where two
different polarizations of light in a waveguide, which normally travel at the same speed,
travel at different speeds due to random imperfections and asymmetries, causing random
spreading of optical pulses. Unless it is compensated, which is difficult, this ultimately
limits the rate at which data can be transmitted over a fiber.

 n an ideal optical fiber, the core has a perfectly circular cross-section. In this case, the
fundamental mode has two orthogonal polarizations (orientations of the electric field)
that travel at the same speed. The signal that is transmitted over the fiber is randomly
polarized, i.e. a random superposition of these two polarizations, but that would not
matter in an ideal fiber because the two polarizations would propagate identically
(are degenerate).
 In a realistic fiber, however, there are random imperfections that break the circular
symmetry, causing the two polarizations to propagate with different speeds. In this case,
the two polarization components of a signal will slowly separate, e.g. causing pulses to
spread and overlap. Because the imperfections are random, the pulse spreading effects
correspond to a random walk, and thus have a mean polarization-dependent time-
differential Δτ (also called the differential group delay, or DGD) proportional to the
square root of propagation distance L
17. Explain in detail about cyclonic separation in air pollution.

 A cyclonic separation is a method of removing particulates from an air, gas or liquid stream,
without the use of filters, through vortex separation. When removing particulate matter from
liquid, a hydrocyclone is used; while from gas, a gas cyclone is used. Rotational effects
and gravity are used to separate mixtures of solids and fluids. The method can also be used to
separate fine droplets of liquid from a gaseous stream.
 A high speed rotating (air)flow is established within a cylindrical or conical container called
a cyclone. Air flows in a helical pattern, beginning at the top (wide end) of the cyclone and
ending at the bottom (narrow) end before exiting the cyclone in a straight stream through the
center of the cyclone and out the top. Larger (denser) particles in the rotating stream have too
much inertia to follow the tight curve of the stream, and thus strike the outside wall, then fall
to the bottom of the cyclone where they can be removed.
 In a conical system, as the rotating flow moves towards the narrow end of the cyclone, the
rotational radius of the stream is reduced, thus separating smaller and smaller particles. The
cyclone geometry, together with volumetric flow rate, defines the cut point of the cyclone.
18. Briefly describe about atmospheric layers.

 The atmosphere can be divided into layers based on its temperature, as shown in the
figure below.
 These layers are the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere and the thermosphere.
A further region, beginning about 500 km above the Earth's surface, is called the
exosphere.
 The red line on the figure below shows how temperature varies with height (the
temperature scale is given along the bottom of the diagram).
 The scale on the right shows the pressure. For example, at a height of 50 km, the pressure
is only about one thousandth of the pressure at the ground.
19. Explain in detail about dispersion characteristics of stack plumes.
 Under super-adiabatic condition, both upward and downward movement of theplume is
possible. Large eddies of a strong wind cause a looping pattern, Figure 1 (b). Although the
 large eddies tend to disperse pollutants over a wide region, high ground level
concentrations may occur close to the stack.
 The dispersion of plume which is emitted from a chimney is governed by many of factors:
wind speed, wind direction, local terrain, turbulence intensity of atmosphere, temperature,
etc. In this study, we numerically investigate the plume dispersions for various altitudinal
temperature variations.

atmosphere has various altitudinal temperature profiles (−1.5 ∼ 1.0°C/100 m) according

 The normal atmosphere has a temperature decrease of −0.6°C/100 m, however, the real

to meteorological factors. Air can occasionally make very strong upward/downward wind
current or flow fluctuation due to buoyancy force.

UNEXPECTED QUESTIONS

20. Explain in detail about wind rose.

 A wind rose is a graphic tool used by meteorologists to give a succinct view of
how wind speed and direction are typically distributed at a particular location.
 Historically, wind roses were predecessors of the compass rose(found on charts), as
there was no differentiation between a cardinal direction and the wind which blew
from such a direction.
 Using a polar coordinate system of gridding, the frequency of winds over a time
period is plotted by wind direction, with color bands showing wind speed ranges. The
direction of the longest spoke shows the wind direction with the greatest frequency.
21. Describe about atmospheric stability.
 Air quality is closely linked to the atmosphere’s ability to scatter pollutants. Perhaps
you’ve heard “Dilution is the solution to pollution.” To a large degree, this is true. If
the air into which pollution is released is not dispersed, the air will become more
toxic. Two of the most important atmospheric conditions affecting the distribution of
pollutants are wind strength and air stability.
 High wind speeds mix polluted air into a larger volume of surrounding air, causing
the pollution to be more diluted. When winds are light, there is less turbulence and
mixing, so the concentration of pollutants is higher.
 Atmospheric stability affects vertical movements of air. In general, the larger the
extent of vertical mixing, the better the air quality is. During a temperature inversion,
the atmosphere is very stable and it does not move much vertically.
22. Briefly describe about air quality in atmospheric.
 A deep breath of fresh, clean air is truly satisfying. Beyond that pleasure, the public
benefits of clean air are enormous – fewer cases of lung cancer, asthma, and other
respiratory ailments, and fewer pollutants in the environment which can harm plants and
animals everywhere.
 Air quality is important to every human being. For most of us, breathing is an
unconscious action; we don’t think about what is in the air that we breathe. ATDD
researchers study how pollutants get into and travel through the air, and how they affect
human and environmental health.
 It’s important to understand these complex processes and maintain good air quality.
After all, the atmosphere is a shared resource that doesn’t have boundaries or borders.
Poor air quality in one location can affect communities and ecosystems elsewhere.
23. Explain about atmospheric modeling.
 Surface-atmosphere exchange is the exchange of water vapor, energy and trace species
(including gaseous chemicals and atmospheric particles) between the atmosphere and the
Earth’s surface.
 The energy balance at the surface and vegetative evapotranspiration drive atmospheric
dynamics (weather and climate) and are key to understanding the water cycle. Exchange
(emission and/or uptake) of trace gaseous species (e. g., methane, nitrogen oxides,
biogenic hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide) is critical for understanding various issues in
climate, air quality and ecosystem dynamics.
 Interactions between the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere and the biology and
ecology of the biosphere are vital for accurate predictive computational models.
Deposition of gases and particles is the major removal mechanism for many atmospheric
trace species and may alter chemical balances of sensitive ecosystems.
24. Describe about precipitation chemistry.
 The Atmospheric Integrated Research Monitoring Network (AIRMoN) is a research-
based subnetwork of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) that is
designed to quantify the extent to which changes in emissions affect air quality and
atmospheric deposition at selected locations.
 The overall goals of AIRMoN are to provide regular, timely reports on the atmospheric
consequences of emission reductions, as imposed under the Clean Air Act
AmendmentsThe archive AIRMoN-dry data remain a highly-referenced, seminal record
of field-based dry deposition estimates. The U.S. EPA CASTNET program continues to
provide estimates of dry deposition using filterpack data. AIRMoN-wet precipitation
sampling has continued without interruption since the adoption of the program by
NOAA.