All Flashcards
Define Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
A major greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere.
Define Particulate Matter (PM).
Tiny particles in the air, like dust, soot, or smoke.
Define VOCs.
Volatile Organic Compounds; contribute to smog and ozone formation.
Define NOx.
Nitrogen oxides; contribute to smog, acid rain, and ground-level ozone.
Define Aerobic Decomposition.
Breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen, releasing CO2.
Define Anaerobic Decomposition.
Breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen, releasing methane (CH4) and CO2.
Define SO2.
Sulfur dioxide; contributes to acid rain and respiratory problems.
Define Greenhouse Gas.
A gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
Define Respiration.
Process where living organisms convert food into energy, releasing CO2.
Define Global Warming.
The long-term heating of Earth's climate system observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth's atmosphere.
What is the effect of increased atmospheric CO2?
Increased atmospheric CO2 leads to global warming and climate change.
What are the health effects of particulate matter (PM)?
Particulate matter can cause serious respiratory issues and other health problems.
What is the effect of SO2 emissions from volcanoes?
SO2 emissions contribute to acid rain.
What is the effect of deforestation on CO2 levels?
Deforestation reduces the amount of CO2 absorbed by trees, leading to increased atmospheric CO2 levels.
What is the effect of increased methane emissions?
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, so increased emissions contribute to global warming.
What is the effect of volcanic ash in the atmosphere?
Volcanic ash can disrupt air travel, damage respiratory health, and affect air quality and visibility.
What is the effect of CO exposure from wildfires?
Reduces oxygen absorption, causing headaches and nausea.
What is the effect of VOCs in the atmosphere?
Contribute to smog and ozone formation.
Explain the link between burning fossil fuels and air pollutants.
Burning fossil fuels releases both CO2 (a greenhouse gas) and particulate matter (PM), contributing to both climate change and air pollution.
How do wildfires contribute to air pollution?
Wildfires release particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4), and toxins.
What is the role of plants in air pollution?
Plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during photosynthesis, which can react with other pollutants to form ground-level ozone.
How do volcanoes impact air quality?
Volcanoes release ash, sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and other gases, affecting air quality and visibility.
Explain how respiration contributes to the carbon cycle.
Living organisms respire, converting food into energy and releasing CO2, which maintains the balance of gases in the atmosphere.
What is the significance of aerobic decomposition?
It recycles carbon in the global carbon cycle by microorganisms breaking down organic matter in the presence of oxygen, releasing CO2.
What is the significance of anaerobic decomposition?
It releases methane (CH4) and CO2 when microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen.
How do lightning strikes contribute to air pollution?
Lightning strikes produce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to smog, acid rain, and ground-level ozone.
Explain the greenhouse effect.
CO2 and other greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the Earth.
What is the impact of volcanic ash on air travel?
Volcanic ash can disrupt air travel by damaging engines and reducing visibility.