Troposphere and Smog Cycle no 2 Essay

Submitted By richardj00
Words: 406
Pages: 2

ENVI 1011 Global Atmosphere

A summary of the key topics

1. Atmospheric modelling

(a) Atmospheric Composition

Non-terrestrial atmospheres

(b) Temperature profile of the atmosphere

Key equations:

(Thermosphere) O2 + hv => O + O + KE O3 + M + KE

Troposphere – significance of Black Body radiation. What temperature should the Earth be? See ‘atmospheric modelling.doc’

(c) Atmospheric Stability Significance of Moist Adiabatic Lapse rate, Temperature Inversions

(d) Energy Balances Need to consider absorption, scattering, radiation

The Greenhouse Effect. See ‘Greenhouse Gases.doc’ Distinguish between ‘Greenhouse Effect’ and ‘Global Warming’. Note how molecules absorb IR radiation and why their relative GWPs differ. Note sources and sinks for each gas, as well as their half lives.

2. Smog models: London smog

Note resources : ‘Smogs.ppt’ and ‘Deadly Smogs.pdf’

(a) Emissions of SOx
(b) Description of the killer smog of 1952 in London
(c) The synergism model: interaction of particulates, SOx and fog. Why was the smog so deadly?
(d) Health effects
(e) Steps to control or eliminate London-type smog

3. Smog Models Los Angeles (Photochemical) smog

(a) Production of nitrogen compounds (17 )
(b) The photochemical smog cycle and changes in pollutants during the day (18, 19)
(c) Health effects and production of PAN (29 )
(d) Role of CO (16, 26)
(e) Production of pollutants from automobiles (16, 21, 22). The information is summarised in “Motor Vehicles Emissions.doc” (DLS, s: drive)
(f) Lead and Octane Rating (23, 24)

Key Equations:

Production of NOx: N2+ O2 => (high T) 2NO + O2 => 2NO2

Photochemical Smog Cycle NO2 + hv => NO + O O + O2 => O3