Air Pollution Management

&
Meteorology
(Bachmann, 2007)
Atmosphere Profile and Composition
Air pollution is the introduction of particulates, biological
molecules, or other harmful materials into the Earth's
atmosphere, possibly causing disease, death to humans, damage
to other living organisms such as food crops, or the natural or
built environment.
 Air Pollutants- Classification
Primary Pollutants Secondary Pollutants
emitted into the atmosphere directly synthesized in the atmosphere by
from the source of the pollutant and chemical reactions involving
retains the same chemical form primary pollutants

Particulate Matter (PM) Ozone (O3), Photochemical smog,

automobiles, industrial processes, biomass peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN)
burning, dust
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
burning of coal
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Fossil fuels
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Automobiles, industrial processes, cleaning
solvents and paints
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
incomplete combustion, malfunctioning furnaces,
space heaters and fireplaces.
 Criteria Pollutants
• six air pollutants are termed "criteria pollutants"
because they are used to set the standard for air
quality throughout the world.
Particulate Matter
Sulfur Dioxide
Nitrogen Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Ozone
Lead
 Air Pollution
Legislation in
India

• Air Act 1981

• Environmental
Protection Act
1986
CPCB, 2012
Status of Air Quality in India
Status of Air Quality in India
Status of Air Quality in India
 Air Pollution Sources Categories
• Natural & Anthropogenic

• Stationary & Mobile

• Point, Area, Line sources

• Combustion and Non Combustion

 Particulate Matter: Behaviour, Fate and Effects
• Also known as aerosols – liquid droplets or solid particles in
air
• Although particulate matter is made up of many chemical species,
there are 5-6 key contributors to PM mass and haze
 Particle Size Distribution

Fine Particles Coarse Particles

Diameter < 2.5 um
(These particles can stay
suspended for weeks and are
transported far from their
source).
2.5>Diameter<10 um
(These particles usually
deposit out of the air close
to their source.)
 MODIS Terra Images over India

Mumbai, March 21, 2012 Dust

Indo Gangetic Basin February 5, 2006
Event
 PM removal mechanisms in
atmosphere
• Dry Deposition
• Wet Deposition
Size Does Matter!
Health Impacts of PM
Inhalation

Short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory
infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Others include headaches, nausea, and allergic
reactions. Short-term air pollution can aggravate the medical conditions of individuals with
asthma and emphysema.
Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and
even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys. Continual exposure to air pollution affects
the lungs of growing children and may aggravate or complicate medical conditions in the elderly.
Gaseous Pollutants: Behaviour, Fate
and Effects

Removal Mechanisms

• Absorption
• Adsorption
• Chemical reactions
 PANS and other pollutants
Volatile organic
compounds (VOCs)
Ozone (O3)

Oxygen (O2)
Nitric oxide (NO)
+
Oxygen atom (O)
Water
vapor
Hydrocarbons (H2O) UV radiation
Peroxyacyl
nitrates Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Photochemical
(PANs)
Oxygen (O2)
Smog
Nitric oxide (NO)
Oxygen (O2) Burning fossil fuels

Nitrogen (N) in fossil fuel

Fig. 18-9, p. 477
 Acid Rain
Wind
Transformation to sulfuric
acid (H2SO4) and nitric
acid (HNO3) Windborne ammonia gas and
some soil particles partially
neutralize acids and form dry Wet acid depostion
sulfate and nitrate salts (droplets of H2SO4 and
Nitric oxide (NO) HNO3 dissolved in rain
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Dry acid deposition (sulfur and snow)
and NO dioxide gas and particles of
sulfate and nitrate salts)
Acid
fog
Lakes in shallow
Lakes in deep soil
soil low in
high in limestone
limestone become
are buffered
acidic