9.3 Common atmospheric pollutants and their sources

• Nitrogen oxides are formed from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen during low-temperature combustion.

  False
• Volatile organic compounds are organic chemicals that easily become vapors or gases
• Nitrogen oxides are formed during high-temperature combustion in vehicle engines and power plants.


  True
• Volatile organic compounds are released by the evaporation of solvents, paints, and other organic chemicals
• Wildfires release smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere
• Nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain, smog formation, and eutrophication of water bodies.


  True
• Match the atmospheric pollutant with its environmental impact:

  Carbon monoxide (CO) ↔️ Toxic to humans and animals, reduces oxygen levels in the blood

  Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) ↔️ Contribute to acid rain, smog formation, and eutrophication of water bodies

  Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) ↔️ Causes acid rain, damages vegetation and buildings, respiratory issues in humans

  Particulate matter (PM) ↔️ Reduces visibility, damages lungs, can carry toxic substances
• Nitrogen oxides are formed from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen during high-temperature combustion.

  True
• Particulate matter can be produced by incomplete combustion, industrial processes, construction, and road dust
• Nitrogen oxides contribute to acid rain, smog formation, and eutrophication of water bodies
• Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels
• Particulate matter includes tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air, such as soot, dust, and smoke.


  True
• Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels in vehicle engines
• Particulate matter can originate from incomplete combustion, industrial processes, and road dust.

  True
• Carbon monoxide is toxic to humans and animals because it reduces oxygen levels in the blood
• Particulate matter reduces visibility and damages lungs, carrying toxic substances.


  True
• Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels
• Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur.


  True
• Transportation is an anthropogenic source of atmospheric pollutants.


  True
• Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain and respiratory issues in humans.


  True
• Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur
• Match the atmospheric pollutant with its primary source:

  Carbon monoxide ↔️ Incomplete combustion of fuels

  Nitrogen oxides ↔️ High-temperature combustion

  Sulfur dioxide ↔️ Combustion of sulfur-containing fuels

  Particulate matter ↔️ Incomplete combustion, industrial processes

  Volatile organic compounds ↔️ Evaporation of solvents, paints
• Sulfur dioxide is released by the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur
• Match the natural source of atmospheric pollution with its example:

  Volcanic eruptions ↔️ Sulfur dioxide, ash, carbon dioxide

  Wildfires ↔️ Particulate matter, carbon monoxide

  Lightning ↔️ Nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide

  Decomposition of organic matter ↔️ Methane, carbon dioxide
• Landfills and incinerators produce methane from waste decomposition and burning.

  True
• Sulfur dioxide causes acid rain and damages vegetation, buildings, and human health
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.

  True
• Match the major atmospheric pollutant with its description:

  Carbon monoxide (CO) ↔️ Colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels

  Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) ↔️ Gases formed from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen during high-temperature combustion

  Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) ↔️ Colorless gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur

  Particulate matter (PM) ↔️ Tiny solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air

  Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) ↔️ Organic chemicals that easily become vapors or gases
• Arrange the following natural sources of atmospheric pollutants in order of their examples:

  1️⃣ Volcanic eruptions - Sulfur dioxide, ash, carbon dioxide

  2️⃣ Wildfires - Particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides

  3️⃣ Lightning - Nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide

  4️⃣ Decomposition of organic matter - Methane, carbon dioxide