PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL

ENGINEERING
PP-404
AIR POLLUTION

ATMOSPHERE
It is the gaseous envelope surrounding the earth and extends up to
400 kilometers above the earths surface.
The atmosphere, which is a gaseous cover, protects the earth from
cosmic radiations
Provides life sustaining Oxygen , the macronutrient Nitrogen and
Carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis.
The atmosphere screens the dangerous UV radiations from the sun
In addition the atmosphere is the medium of carriage of water from
the oceans to the land in the hydrological cycle

COMPOSITION OF ATMOSPHERE
GASES
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Argon
Carbon dioxide
Neon
Krypton
Hydrogen
Xenon
Ozone
Carbon monoxide
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide
Ammonia

WATER VAPOR
0.1% - 5% (by volume)
The vapor creates different
weather conditions

Aerosols
Suspension of
liquid/solid
particles in air
Smog
Dust cloud

AIRBORNE PARTICLES
All solid and liquid
particles in air and
transported by air

Particulates
All
solid/liquid
particles in
air
Dust
Soot
Fly ash

MAJOR LAYERS IN ATMOSPHERE

AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution may be defined as the presence of one or
more contaminants (Chemicals, Dust, Smoke, Fume,
Particulate Matter etc.) in such quantities and duration,
which is detrimental to the health of plants and animals,
property
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION

NATURAL
?

MAN MADE
?

CLASSIFICATION OF AIR POLLUTANTS

COMPOSITION

ORIGIN

PRIMARY

STATE OF
MATTER

SECONDARY
GAS
ORGANIC

INORGANIC

PARTICULATES

SOLIDS

LIQUIDS

MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS

Air pollutants can be classified in to different ways.
They are:
Primary Pollutants. Those directly emitted into the
atmosphere. e.g. CO, NO2, SO2, Hydrocarbons.
Secondary Pollutants. Those derived due to the
interaction between the primary pollutants and / or the
gases in the atmosphere. (Ozone, Smog, Per oxy Acyl
Nitrate).
Organic Pollutants (Hydrocarbons, Aldehydes, Ketones,
Alcohols, etc.).
Inorganic Pollutants. Oxides of Carbon, Nitrogen,
Sulfur, Halogen Compounds, HNO3, H2SO4, Ozone,
Metallurgical dust, Fly ash, Silica etc.
Particulate matter. Fine solid dust or liquid droplets like
smoke, fumes, fog, smoke, sprays etc.

IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES

Note: Rest from the handout or from any book

INDOOR AIR POLLUTION

AIR POLLUTION METEOROLOGY

Pollutants discharged into the atmosphere are transported to
according t the wind characteristics
Intensity of air pollution continuously changes with the
meteorological conditions

METEOROLOGICAL FACTORS

Wind direction and speed

Temperature
Atmospheric stability
Humidity

Precipitation

Solar radiation

Characteristics of any location

Important in EIA for site selection

Seasonal variations
Estimation of pollutants

a) WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION:

Pollutants discharged near the ground are effected by wind speed
and direction:
1. Terrain is flat and discharges occur at sufficient height
Concentration of pollutant in a particular area is inversely
proportional to the wind speed

2. Terrain is hilly
Depends upon the vertical stability of the atmosphere

b) TEMPERATURE:

I. Environment lapse rate

II. Dry Adiabatic lapse rate 10C/1000m
III. Wet adiabatic lapse rate 6C/1000m

c) ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY:

ATMOSPHERIC STABILITY

ABSOULTELY STABLE ATMOSPHERE

ABSOULTELY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE

CONDITIONALLY UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE

d) HUMIDITY:

Air with relative humidity less than 30% dry

Air with relative humidity greater than 65% uncomfortable
Influence the dispersion of pollutants
Effects the stability of environment
Formation of dew, fog, mist are all consequences of humidity

e) SOLAR RADIATION:
Driving factor for photochemical reactions