Welcome!

Welcome!

Please get out your Objectives #1-6 for a stamp and your outline

from the textbook.

Use this time wisely!!!!

Add new insights on your objectives in a different colored

pen.

Breathing!Breathing!

Some basicsSome basics

What is in our atmosphere?What is in our atmosphere?

Normal chemical composition of our atmosphere:

(N2) 78%

(O2) 21%

Trace gases (water, argon, carbon dioxide, other pollutants) 1%

What have you heard about ozone What have you heard about ozone before?before?

Ground level ozone in H-Ground level ozone in H-towntown

Smog and ozone form togetherSmog and ozone form together

1. N2 + O2 2NO

2. 2NO + O2 2NO2

3. NO2 + UV radiation NO + O

4. O + O2 O3

Primary pollutantsPrimary pollutants

• Come directly from source

• Step one: N2 + O2 2NO

Secondary pollutants form in Secondary pollutants form in atmosphere as gases reactatmosphere as gases react

• Step two: 2NO + O2 2NO2

• NO2 is smog – a yellow brown gas

• Causes lung and eye irritation, makes asthma, bronchitis and emphysema worse

Ozone formationOzone formation

Step 3: NO2 + UV radiation NO + O

Step 4:O + O2 O3

Ozone slows photosynthesis, eye and lung irritant, makes asthma, emphysema, bronchitis worse

Smog and ozone form togetherSmog and ozone form together

1. N2 + O2 2NO2. 2NO + O2 2NO2

3. NO2 + UV radiation NO + O4. O + O2 O3

Ozone season: March- NovemberOzone daily formation: noon-early

evening

Check out ozone formationCheck out ozone formation

• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality– EPA: National/Federal Regulatory agency– TCEQ: state regulatory agency

• ozone animation

AQI: set at 100 for each criterion AQI: set at 100 for each criterion pollutant level. pollutant level.

Ozone 100 AQI = 85ppbOzone 100 AQI = 85ppb

Ozone breaks down naturally at Ozone breaks down naturally at the end of the daythe end of the day

• O3 + NO O2 + NO2 • UNLESS . . . .

The VOCs are present!!!The VOCs are present!!!

Rawr!!!

VOCs contribute to smogVOCs contribute to smog

• Volatile Organic Compounds:– Gasoline -propane -dry cleaning fluids– Benzene -toluene

– VOCs reduce the troposphere’s ability to break down O3 after the sun goes down, so smog conditions persist

We're #?

• . . . .for the number of days exceeding allowable ground level ozone levels.

• American Lung Association State of the Air

Year High ozone days 1 hr average/ highest recorded

High ozone days 8 hr average

2013 2 days/151 ppb 23days/124ppb

2012 8 days/143 ppb 35 days/121 ppb

2010 7 days/149 ppb 44 days/97ppb

2009 6 days/157ppb 28 days/110ppb

2008 6days/143ppb 31days/106 ppb

2007 9 days / 166 ppb 46 days / 112 ppb

2006 20 days/165ppb 62 days/126 ppb

Observations/InferencesObservations/Inferences

So what is being done about So what is being done about this? - City monitoringthis? - City monitoring

45 mobile monitoring stations45 mobile monitoring stations

Two strategiesTwo strategies

• Pollution prevention (don’t create the primary pollutants in the first place)

• Pollution clean up (now that they’re in the environment, let’s mitigate the effects)

Technology solutions: catalytic converters remove some Technology solutions: catalytic converters remove some NOx, CO, and VOC’sNOx, CO, and VOC’s

Switch to alternative energies!Switch to alternative energies!

• Wind power

• Solar power

• Hydro power

• Tidal power

Technology solutions: Technology solutions: more efficient lightsmore efficient lights

Improvements suggested by the Mayor’s office Improvements suggested by the Mayor’s office for Houston refineriesfor Houston refineries

• Storage Tank Caps – traps gases• Infrared leak detection system – enable

companies to respond to leaks in pipes and valves more quickly

• Flare gas recovery – compressor and additional piping capture gases that usually leak during startups and shutdowns

I=PAT analyzing the cause of the problem and I=PAT analyzing the cause of the problem and the possible solutionsthe possible solutions

• Impact of air pollution =

• Population = human pop is increasing

• Affluence =

• Technology =

Check your understanding!Check your understanding!

• Why are we more likely to hit an orange AQI at 3pm in August than at 8am in December?

• Why is it important that Houston improve its air quality?