Catalytic Converters http:// videos.howstuffworks.com/science-channel/31428-deco nstructed-catalytic-converter-video.htm AIR POLLUTION REVIEW…
Jan 20, 2016
Catalytic Converters
http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science-channel/31428-deconstructed-catalytic-converter-video.htm
AIR POLLUTION REVIEW…
Natural air pollutants: volcanoes, fires, dust stormsPlants emit volatile organic compoundsMechanisms in the biosphere remove, assimilate, and recycle natural pollutants
Hydroxyl radical (OH): a naturally occurring compoundOxidizes many gaseous pollutants to harmless products brought to land or water by precipitation
Sea salts: a cleansing agent that helps form raindropsPicked up by wind flowing over oceans
Sunlight: breaks down organic molecules
ATMOSPHERIC CLEANSING
They also remove anthropogenic pollutants from the air
Highly reactive hydrocarbons are rapidly oxidized
Nitrogen oxides are oxidized within a day
Less reactive substances (e.g., CO) take months
Atmospheric levels of hydroxyl are determined by levels of anthropogenic air
pollutants
Hydroxyl’s cleansing power is used up
Pollutants are able to build up
Photochemical breakdown of ozone is a major source of hydroxyl radical
HYDROXYL RADICALS
THE HYDROXYL RADICAL
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