Air Pollution

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

Card preview (24)

Front (Question)

Pollution

Back (Answer)

Introduction of a substance or form of energy into the environment that can cause harm to the enviornment

Front (Question)

Natural source

Back (Answer)

EX. Volcanic Ash (PM), CO2

Front (Question)

Anthropogenic source

Back (Answer)

Fossil fuel emissions, sewage, excessive nutrients, heat

Front (Question)

Point source

Back (Answer)

A single, identifiable source of a pollutant, exact source is known. Easier to monitor+regulate (easy to clean) EX. smoke stack, discharge pipe, leaking tank

Front (Question)

Nonpoint source

Back (Answer)

Diffused and can therefore be difficult to identify, cannot be traced back to a single point of discharge. Nonpoint sources are harder to monitor and regulate. Many sources. EX. spraying pesticides, runoff from large agricultural regions, urban runoff

Front (Question)

Plume

Back (Answer)

The pattern a pollutant makes as it travels through the environment

Front (Question)

Chemical composition

Back (Answer)

How toxic or harmful a pollutant is to living organisms

Front (Question)

Persistence

Back (Answer)

How long a pollutant remains in its original form

Front (Question)

Persistent

Back (Answer)

Does not break down EX. DDT -> remains toxic

#10

Front (Question)

Non perisistent

Back (Answer)

Breaks down into less toxic or non toxic forms EX: Hydrogen peroxide

#11

Front (Question)

Concentration

Back (Answer)

Amount of pollutant per volume (PPM, PPB)

#12

Front (Question)

Proactive stance

Back (Answer)

Prevents release of a pollutant. Less expensive

#13

Front (Question)

Reactive stance

Back (Answer)

Cleanup after the release of a pollutant. More expensive

#14

Front (Question)

Thermosphere

Back (Answer)

Thickest layer, 300 miles above surface, auroras occur here

#15

Front (Question)

Mesosphere

Back (Answer)

under thermosphere

#16

Front (Question)

Stratosphere

Back (Answer)

Ozone layer, O3

#17

Front (Question)

Troposphere

Back (Answer)

We live here Weather, air we breathe, air pollution occurs here

#18

Front (Question)

Primary pollutants

Back (Answer)

Released directly into the atmosphere

#19

Front (Question)

Secondary pollutants

Back (Answer)

Form from primary pollutants when they react with something in the atmosphere. EX: SO2 combines with H2O to become H2SO4

#20

Front (Question)

Particulate matter

Back (Answer)

Primary pollutant Comes from combustion of fossil fuels, industry, construction Causes respiratory problems, climate change: global COOLING

#21

Front (Question)

Carbon Monoxide

Back (Answer)

Primary pollutant Combustion of fossil fuels Prevents delivery of O2 to blood and tissues

#22

Front (Question)

Carbon dioxide

Back (Answer)

Primary pollutant Combustion of fossil fuels Volcanic eruptions Wildfires Contributes to greenhouse effect and global climate change

#23

Front (Question)

Sulfur dioxide

Back (Answer)

Primary pollutant Combustion of fossil fuels (coal+diesel release mercury) Smelting Volcanic eruptions Toxic to plants and animals Irritates respiratory system Component of acid rain HNO3 Photochemical smog tropospheric (ground level) 03

#24

Front (Question)

Volatile organic compounds

Back (Answer)

Primary pollutant Combustion of fossil fuels Gas fumes, glues, paints, solvents Toxic, can be carcinogenic Prime agents of tropospheric/ground level O3 and photochemical smog