COMPOSITION OF AIR

Contents: I. Major Components of Air II. Air Pollutants III. Sources of Air Pollutants IV. Ozone as a Secondary Pollutant

I.

Major Components of Air (Dry Air)

Major Components of Air (Dry Air)

Nitrogen - N2
78% by volume

Oxygen - O2
21% by volume
21%

1% Nitrogen Oxygen Argon 78%

Other Gases : Argon and Carbon Dioxide

1% by volume

Water Vapor

Note: Measured at a certain pressure and temperature

Typical Composition of Inhaled and Exhaled Air

N2-75% O2-16% Ar-0.9% CO2-4.0% H2O-0.0

N2-78% O2-21% Ar-0.9% CO2-0.04% H2O-0.0

Properties of the Components of Air

Substance Nitrogen Description and Properties -Less reactive than O2 -Exhaled from lungs unchanged -Part of all living things -Most abundant element by mass in the earths crust and human body -Highly reactive than Nitrogen Used in metabolic reactions to produce energy -Involved in combustion, and corrosion reactions

Oxygen

Argon

-Very unreactive -Means Lazy -One of the products of combustion -Used by plants in photosynthesis -0.0375% of Air -composition varies upon the kind of environment Ex: Desert: 0% water vapor Rain Forest: 5% water vapor

Carbon Dioxide

Water

II. Air Pollutants

CO NO O3 SO2

Pb

PM

NEXT

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

Produced when there is insufficient supply of Oxygen in combustion reactions Silent Killer- odorless gas Disrupts delivery of oxygen throughout the body Sources: Charcoal Grills, Kerosene heaters, Propane Stoves, Auto exhaust, and Furnace Emissions inhalation of CO can be fatal SYMPTOMS: Dizziness, Headache, Nausea

OZONE (O3)
An allotrope of Oxygen Has a characteristic sharp odor Bad Actor at the Troposphere : Damages rubber, affects vegetation, and is toxic at concentrations of 1.20 ppm ( in a 1 hr period) Sources: Photocopiers, electric motors, transformers, and welding torches Toxic affects the respiratory system, reduces lung function during exercise SYMPTOMS: Chest pain, Coughing, Sneezing, and Pulmonary congestion

Sulfur Oxides (SO2)

Results from the combustion of sulfur containing substances S(s) + O2(g) SO2(g) Sources: Coal generating Power Plants

Nitrogen Oxides (NO)

Results from the combustion of nitrogen containing 2NO(g) substances N2(g) + O2(g) Sources: Car emissions ***Respiratory Irritants affects breathing and lowers resistance to respiratory infections

LEAD (Pb)
Source: Combustion of Gasoline with TEL (Tetraethyl Lead) mixed with Gasoline to make it burn smoothly. Highly toxic acts as a cumulative poison which may cause neurological problems

Particulate Matter (PM)

Mixture of tiny solid particles and liquid droplets. Dust, dirt, soot, smoke, bacteria, and viruses PM2.5 - ave. diameter is < 2.5 micrometers PM10 - ave. diameter is 10 micrometers Exposure may lead to higher risk of having a heart disease

Direct Sources of Air Pollutants

1. Burning of Coal - Major source of SO2 Coal mostly Carbon and Hydrogen, 1-3% Sulfur and rock like minerals.
COAL
Burned

S(s) + O2(g)

SO2(g)

Small ash particles

2SO2(g) + O2(g)

2SO3(g) High humidity Aerosol SO3(g) + H2O(l)

H2SO4(aq)

***Aerosls of H2SO4 could get trapped in lungs and may cause severe damage

Direct Sources of Air Pollutants

2. Tailpipes of Vehicles and Factories - Major source of Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Oxides Catalytic Converters
Functions: a. Lower CO emissions b. Lower VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions

Definition of TERMS
Catalyst chemical substance that participates in a reaction and influences its speed but does not undergo any change in itself Volatile a substance which easily evaporates Organic Compound any substance which primarily contains C and H, along with N, O, S, P and Halogens; Except for carbonates, CO2 and CO.

Catalytic Converters

How do Catalytic Converters Work?

A. Lower CO Emissions
2CO(g) + O2(g) Platinum and Rhodium

2CO2(g)

2NO(g)

other catalysts

N2(g) + O2(g)

How do Catalytic Converters Work?

B. Lower VOC Emissions Volatile Organic Compounds
vapors of incompletely burned gasoline molecules or fragments of molecules. Caused by Insufficient Oxygen and Insufficient Time of combustion VOCs(g) + O2(g) CO2(g) + H2O(g)

Nitrogen Oxides
N2(g) + O2(g) 2NO(g) + O2(g) 2NO(g) 2NO2(g)

*** Needs a high concentration of NO to proceed

VOC(g) + OH A A A + O2(g) A + NO2(g) highly toxic and a A + NO(g) player in the formation of trospospheric O3.

Formation of Tropospheric Ozone

NO2
sunlight

NO + O O3

O + O2

O3 is not directly emitted, it is a secondary pollutantproduced from other pollutants

Discuss the relationship between hydrocarbon and ozone concentrations in the atmosphere

1.12