EVR2001 Exam 3 Actual set with
Questions and correct/verified Answers
Properties of the troposphere - ANSWER-i. Bottom-most layer
ii. 3/4 total mass of the atmosphere
iii. Contains nearly all water vapor in the atmosphere
iv. Heated primarily by infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface interacting with greenhouse
gasses
v. decreasing temperature with increasing altitude
Properties of the stratosphere - ANSWER-i. Heated primarily by interaction of solar UV radiation and
ozone (O3) in the ozone layer
ii. Increasing temperature with increasing altitude
iii. Contains the ozone layer
Atmospheric processes/properties relevant to life - ANSWER-i. Regulates global temperature through
greenhouse effect
ii. Redistributes excess heat from tropics to higher latitudes via atmospheric circulation (wind)
iii. Atmospheric pressure allows liquid water to exist on the surface of the planet
iv. Important link in many biogeochemical cycles
v. Protects plants and animals from UV radiation with the ozone layer
vi. Burns up small meteors and space debris that would otherwise impact earth
Natural Sources of Air Pollution: - ANSWER-i. Volcanoes (particulates, sulfur compounds)
ii. Dust Storms (particulates, worsened by human activities)
iii. Fires (particulates, subject to human caused factors)
iv. Sea Spray (particulates, salt and sulfur compounds)
v. Vegetation (volatile organic compounds, can become ozone)
Clean Air Act - ANSWER-Regulates both stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, administered
through the EPA, has been very successful in reducing most forms of air pollution (although some hot
spots remain). Regulate six major pollutants for which maximum ambient air levels (NAAQS's) are
mandated
Six Major Anthropogenic Pollutants of the CAA - ANSWER-Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon
Monoxide, Lead, Particulates, Ozone
Sulfur Dioxide - ANSWER-i. Primarily emitted by coal-burning power plants and certain industrial facilities
, ii. React with water to form acids
iii. Contributes to smog formation
Nitrogen Oxides - ANSWER-i. Emitted by coal-burning power plants and vehicles
ii. React with water to make acid, contributes to smog formation
iii. Contributes to eutrophication of water bodies
iv. Also a greenhouse gas
Carbon Monoxide - ANSWER-i. Forms as a result of incomplete combustion, typically in car and truck
engines
ii. Invisible, tasteless, odorless gas
iii. Causes hypoxia and can cause accidental death
Lead - ANSWER-i. Used to be a gasoline additive, banned out 1973-1996
ii. Continued to be used in aviation fuels
iii. Can come from coal combustion
iv. Readily absorbed by tissues, toxic even in low concentrations, causes neurological damage
Particulates - ANSWER-i. Type of aerosol: solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere
ii. Includes ash, soot, lint, smoke, pollen, dust, spores
iii. Reduces visibility
iv. Can cause damage to lungs if small enough
v. Asbestos and cigarette smoke, can cause cancer
vi. Second most common air pollutant in the US that exceeds legal limits
Ozone - ANSWER-i. Chemical formula O3
ii. Pale blue gas with sharp, biting odor
iii. Highly reactive, damages mucous and respiratory tissues and tissues in plants
iv. Used for industrial purposes
v. Essential in stratosphere & UV protection
vi. Created in troposphere by interaction of precursors (CO, NOx's, VOC's) with sunlight
vii. Air pollutant that most frequently exceeds legal limits
Effects of air pollution on people, biota, and ecosystems - ANSWER-i. Decreases visual range and
penetration of sunlight
ii. Acids and ozone damage plant tissues and suppress growth
iii. Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams
Questions and correct/verified Answers
Properties of the troposphere - ANSWER-i. Bottom-most layer
ii. 3/4 total mass of the atmosphere
iii. Contains nearly all water vapor in the atmosphere
iv. Heated primarily by infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface interacting with greenhouse
gasses
v. decreasing temperature with increasing altitude
Properties of the stratosphere - ANSWER-i. Heated primarily by interaction of solar UV radiation and
ozone (O3) in the ozone layer
ii. Increasing temperature with increasing altitude
iii. Contains the ozone layer
Atmospheric processes/properties relevant to life - ANSWER-i. Regulates global temperature through
greenhouse effect
ii. Redistributes excess heat from tropics to higher latitudes via atmospheric circulation (wind)
iii. Atmospheric pressure allows liquid water to exist on the surface of the planet
iv. Important link in many biogeochemical cycles
v. Protects plants and animals from UV radiation with the ozone layer
vi. Burns up small meteors and space debris that would otherwise impact earth
Natural Sources of Air Pollution: - ANSWER-i. Volcanoes (particulates, sulfur compounds)
ii. Dust Storms (particulates, worsened by human activities)
iii. Fires (particulates, subject to human caused factors)
iv. Sea Spray (particulates, salt and sulfur compounds)
v. Vegetation (volatile organic compounds, can become ozone)
Clean Air Act - ANSWER-Regulates both stationary and mobile sources of air pollution, administered
through the EPA, has been very successful in reducing most forms of air pollution (although some hot
spots remain). Regulate six major pollutants for which maximum ambient air levels (NAAQS's) are
mandated
Six Major Anthropogenic Pollutants of the CAA - ANSWER-Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon
Monoxide, Lead, Particulates, Ozone
Sulfur Dioxide - ANSWER-i. Primarily emitted by coal-burning power plants and certain industrial facilities
, ii. React with water to form acids
iii. Contributes to smog formation
Nitrogen Oxides - ANSWER-i. Emitted by coal-burning power plants and vehicles
ii. React with water to make acid, contributes to smog formation
iii. Contributes to eutrophication of water bodies
iv. Also a greenhouse gas
Carbon Monoxide - ANSWER-i. Forms as a result of incomplete combustion, typically in car and truck
engines
ii. Invisible, tasteless, odorless gas
iii. Causes hypoxia and can cause accidental death
Lead - ANSWER-i. Used to be a gasoline additive, banned out 1973-1996
ii. Continued to be used in aviation fuels
iii. Can come from coal combustion
iv. Readily absorbed by tissues, toxic even in low concentrations, causes neurological damage
Particulates - ANSWER-i. Type of aerosol: solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere
ii. Includes ash, soot, lint, smoke, pollen, dust, spores
iii. Reduces visibility
iv. Can cause damage to lungs if small enough
v. Asbestos and cigarette smoke, can cause cancer
vi. Second most common air pollutant in the US that exceeds legal limits
Ozone - ANSWER-i. Chemical formula O3
ii. Pale blue gas with sharp, biting odor
iii. Highly reactive, damages mucous and respiratory tissues and tissues in plants
iv. Used for industrial purposes
v. Essential in stratosphere & UV protection
vi. Created in troposphere by interaction of precursors (CO, NOx's, VOC's) with sunlight
vii. Air pollutant that most frequently exceeds legal limits
Effects of air pollution on people, biota, and ecosystems - ANSWER-i. Decreases visual range and
penetration of sunlight
ii. Acids and ozone damage plant tissues and suppress growth
iii. Acid rain causes acidification of lakes and streams
