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AND METEROLOGY
AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is one of the most dangerous forms
of environmental pollution in current times. As a
result of natural and man-made activities, gases
such as CO, SO2, H2S and oxides of nitrogen,
mist particulates
Burningofconventionalfossilfuelssuchascoal,lig
nite,petroleum and natural gas produces
gaseous by-products which are poisonous, these
include CO2, CO, CH4, SO2 and oxides of
nitrogen. These gases pollute the air and make it
unfit for breathing. However the quality and
concentration of these pollutants depends on the
type of fuel used. The smoke from the chimneys
of a factory and the dust from anthropogenic
activities contain a large amount of sulphur and
nitrogen, respectively. Sulphur and nitrogen
burn in the atmosphere to produce their oxides.
They are responsible for the destruction of the
ecosystem and corrosion in factories.
(iii) Vehicular discharges:
Gas and particulate matter are dispersed mainly from point sources
(chimneys). They depend on wind and atmospheric temperature
gradient of the place. The stronger the wind and temperature, the
greater is the dispersion of gases and particulate matter. The
behaviour of a plume of smoke from a chimney changes with the
course of the day and depends upon the degree of clouds present,
humidity and temperature of the area.