Temperature inversions and suspended particle matter smogs
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what is smoke
smoke is made up of atmospheric particulates produced from the incomplete combustion of carbon based materials.
what are the main causes of smoke
1) combustion of coal, diesel and other general combustible wastes 2) combustion of crop waste, wood fuel, grasslands
why is particle size important
smaller particles remain in the atmosphere for longer so are more likely to be inhaled
list some toxic chemical which can be found in smoke
1) fluorides 2) aluminium 3) lead 4) acids 5) organic compounds
what are the effects of smoke pollution on humans
• respiratory disease i.e. asthma, bronchitis and lung cancer • chemicals in the smoke may be carcinogenetic • killed cilia in the bronchioles increasing risk of infection
what are the effects of smoke pollution of living organisms
• reduced photosynthesis - substances within smoke may be toxic ie heavy metals and acids
what are the effects of smoke pollution of non-living objects
• smoke solvents can cause damage to buildings due to the chemicals and acids the contain • cleaning dirty buildings in expensive
what are the effects of smoke pollution on the climate
1) large releases can increase albedo so reduce temp 2) small smoke particles can remain in the atmosphere for long periods of time 3) smoke in the stratosphere can deplete the ozone layer
what are smoke smogs
smoke + fog= smog
describe how a temperature inversion is formed on calm and cool nights
1) the atmosphere is mostly heated by the earth’s surface emitting longwave radiation 2) usually the further from the surface the cooler the temps get 3) on calm and cool nights the surface loses heat very quickly cooling the air right above it. It cools faster than the air higher up 4) the air above this is warmer than the air below forming a radiation inversion
describe how temperature inversions form with specific topography
1) cold air in higher regions of land is dense so sinks to lower regions 2) as it sinks the air starts to warm due to increases in pressure at lower elevations 3) sinking air becomes warmer than the air below it, so it is less dense and stops sinking 4) an upper air inversion is formed
how is fog formed
when moist air cools until it reaches a dew point and water vapor condenses as airborne droplets of water
what are the different forms of smog
1) suspended particle matter smog 2) photochemical smog
how are suspended particle matter smog formed
• the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels releases coarse particles which become suspended in the air • the ash from forest fires or the burning of wood fuels
Describe the London smog of 1952
• London was positioned in a valley so atmospheric pollution increased as the city began to grow • December 1952 anticyclonic weather conditions provided clear skies and low wind velocities forming a temp inversion • atmospheric pollutant level rose as they couldn’t escape • 12,000 deaths, of old, young, or individuals with respiratory diseases