Tarakeswar Ghorai

LLB 3RD SEMESTER

191112009022
1.
London Smog
For five days in December 1952, the Great Smog of London smothered the city,
wreaking havoc and killing thousands.
The Great Smog Begins
Clear skies dawned over London on December 5, 1952. A wintry cold snap had
gripped the British capital for weeks, and as Londoners awoke, coal fireplaces
were stoked in homes and businesses across the city to take the chill from the
early morning air.
As the day progressed, a veil of fog—not unusual in a city famous for its cool,
misty weather—began to enshroud Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London
Bridge and other city landmarks.
Within a few hours, however, the fog began to turn a sickly shade of yellowish
brown as it mixed with thousands of tons of soot pumped into the air by
London’s factory smokestacks, chimneys and automobiles. Smoky, diesel-
fueled buses had recently replaced the city’s electric tram system, adding to the
toxic brew.
Nonetheless, Londoners went about their business with typical British reserve,
ignoring the foul air as much as possible. But within a day, it became
impossible to ignore the unfolding crisis.
London Fog Becomes London Smog
Fog, combined with smoke to produce smog, was nothing new in London, but
this particular “pea souper” quickly thickened into a poisonous stew unlike
anything the city had ever experienced.
A high-pressure weather system had stalled over southern England and caused a
temperature inversion, in which a layer of warm air high above the surface
trapped the stagnant, cold air at ground level.
The temperature inversion prevented London’s sulfurous coal smoke from
rising, and with nary a breeze to be found, there was no wind to disperse the
soot-laden smog. The noxious, 30-mile-wide air mass, teeming with acrid sulfur
particles, reeked like rotten eggs—and it was getting worse every day.
2.
Photochemical Smog
Photochemical smog, also known as summer smog, is a type of smog that is
produced when UV light originating from the sun interacts with the oxides of
nitrogen present in the atmosphere. This type of smog usually manifests as a
brown haze and is most commonly seen in highly populated cities that are
placed in relatively warm climates. Furthermore, photochemical smog is most
prominently visible during the mornings and afternoons.
How is Photochemical Smog Formed?
Photochemical form is formed by a complex series of chemical reactions
involving sunlight, oxides of nitrogen, and volatile organic compounds that are
present in the atmosphere as a result of air pollution. These reactions often
result in the formation of ground level ozone and certain airborne particles. The
formation of photochemical smog is closely related to the concentration of
primary pollutants in the atmosphere. It is also related to the concentration of
secondary pollutants (in some cases).
Common examples of primary pollutants that contribute towards photochemical
smog include oxides of nitrogen such as nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and
nitrous oxide and most VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Common examples
of secondary pollutants that contribute towards the formation of photochemical
smog include aldehydes, tropospheric ozone, and peroxylacyl nitrates (often
abbreviated to PAN).
During peak-traffic hours in the morning, large amounts of nitrogen oxides and
volatile hydrocarbons are released into the atmosphere. These pollutants can be
traced to automobile emissions and industrial discharge. Some of these
hydrocarbon pollutants rapidly undergo oxidation by the hydroxyl groups in the
atmosphere, resulting in the formation of peroxy radicals. These peroxy radicals
go on to convert nitric oxide into nitrogen dioxide.
What are the Effects of Photochemical Smog?
Photochemical smog has a number of negative effects on the environment and
human beings. The chemicals contained within it, when combined with
hydrocarbons, form molecules which cause eye irritation. The atmospheric
radicals interfere with the nitrogen cycle by stopping ground level ozone from
being eliminated. Ground level ozone can prove to be extremely toxic to human
beings. Other negative symptoms associated with photochemical smog include
decreased vision and shortness of breath.
To learn more about photochemical smog and other important environmental
concerns such as eutrophication, register with BYJU’S and download the
mobile application on your smartphone.