Sources and Methods of Air Pollution (15)

Major pollutants Methods of pollution
Motor vehicle exhaust
  • combustion of fuel led to the production of oxides of lead , nitrogen and sulfur

  • particulates release will cause haze and smog resulting in the poor vision in the area

  • oxides of lead , nitrogen and sulfur dissolves in water vapor and altering its pH and causing it more acidic

Heat and power generation facilities
  • emission of excess heat to atmosphere  causing warming of the atmosphere

  • waste biomass not properly incinerated, incomplete combustion and unrecycled remaining waste leads to the release of carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH4)
Industrial processes
  • production of thick black smoke emitted without a proper filtering system lead to an increase of carbon dioxide emission

  • emission of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbon) in atmosphere will through a free radical reaction altering the structure of the ozone molecule (O3) by breaking the bond to produce free radicals. CFCs can be found in refrigerant products like refrigerator, aerosol spray

  • production of nitric acid ( HNO3 ) through Ostwald process involves a series of combustion

 

Auto Manufacturing
  • emits about 1180 tons of organics; 54 tons of NOx (oxides of nitrogen); 730 pounds of SO2; and 7 tons of carbon monoxide (CO) 

  • increase production of vehicles has led to the increase of usage organic products, and heavy metals

Fertilizers Plants
  • emission of corrosive byproducts like sulphuric acid (H2SO4) by Contact process and hydrochloric acid (HCl) , which increase the acidity of water vapor in the atmosphere

  • over production of ammonia (NH3) for fertilizer production, which are not contained in a proper manner may increase alkalinity of atmosphere

Building demolition
  • crumbling rubble and debris which floats and settles in the atmosphere, causing haze and smog (i.e. benzene, asbestos, beryllium, inorganic arsenic)

Solid waste disposal
  • accumulation of waste leads to production of strong odor and humidity, right conditions for pests (houseflies) and bacteria growths which further aggravates the odor in the area

  • radioactive and hazardous waste not disposed in enclose area will cause the release of radioactive vapors or substances into atmosphere

Solvent evaporation
  • vaporization of complex organic solvents which are non biodegradable (i.e. nonmethane organic compounds: ethane, ethylene, aldehydes, ketones)

  • production of strong unpleasant odor (i.e. lubricants, paints)

  • organic vapors reacting with chemical compounds in atmosphere which acts as insulator earth, thereby producing greenhouse effects (i.e. methane, carbon dioxide)

Volcanic eruption
  • toxic and poisonous gases of SO2 , NO2  and PbS2 spewed out  

  • heat produce during eruptions will increase the temperature of atmosphere, altering the rate of chemical reactions occurring   

Fuel production
  • fractional distillation of crude oil to produce kerosene, gasoline and refinery gas by the cracking process (pyrolisis) involves the use of high heat energy at 450°C splitting larger alkane molecules into smaller alkane and alkene molecules which are more easily vaporized and are therefore more useful fuels 

  • fuel extraction, processing, refining and distribution add an additional 14% of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2)

  • 30% of hydrocarbon emissions are released through evaporation, which occurs from both fuel tanks and gasoline tanks

Roadway construction
  • manufacture of construction equipment comparable to the degree of pollution of auto manufacturing

  • asphalt fumes which are bothersome and toxic, which involves the release of both particulate benzene (C6H6) – soluble organics and individual aromatic hydrocarbons

Electrical components manufacturing
  • process of making semiconductors involves the usage of hazardous heavy metal (i.e. arsenic and lead ) 

  • emission of toxic byproducts into river and atmosphere (i.e. sulphates, nitrates and sulphides)

Extraction of metals
  • extractions of pure metal involves the heating of coke (carbon ); (i.e. iron and silicon) produce carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide

  • extractions of Group 1 and 2 metals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) through electrolysis involves the usage of graphite (carbon) and mercury as the electrode

Forest fires
  • release of particulates into atmosphere causing smog and haze results in the poor vision of sight in the area
Agriculture
  • improper sanitation results in the accumulation of faeces and urine  causing strong odor and smell contamination in the area

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