ON-LINE Lecture Discussion Requirement:

For this topic, the on-line lecture discussion requirement is to do five (5) questions:

1. I.   Content Question A - Do the assigned Ques. 1-6 as follows on the right.
   

2. II. Molecule or Report of the Week:  Air Pollutant Molecules
   

3. III.  Content Question B - Self select any Ques. 7-10 - your choice.  See question for limits on how many students can answer.
   

4. IV.  Issue Question - Sulfur dioxide cap and trade program?
   

5. V.   Response or Ask a Question - respond or comment to someone else, or use General Questions to ask a general question that the Prof or others might answer.  Extra responses earn extra credit (1 pt/ques. up to 2 points)

1. I.Content Questions A:  Atmosphere - Indoor Air Pollution
   

2. 
   

1. 1.Structure and composition of the atmosphere
   (Text Chap. 11)
   
   

 A. Troposphere and Stratosphere (ozone layer)

Text p. 323-24

 B. Composition

Text p. 324-25

Molecule graphics: oxygen , nitrogen , argon , carbon dioxide, water vapor (also review p. p.124, 217)

 C. Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon Cycles

Text p. 43-47

ProfO Notes: Carbon Cycle

ProfO Notes: Nitrogen Cycle

 D. Weather, climate, and
prevailing winds,
temperature inversions

 Text p. 339

                                                     

The main reaction is given in the graphic.  Carbon dioxide is the major product, a greenhouse gas, and was the subject of Topic 5.  Air pollution molecules are generated along side of this reaction.  A few are as follows:

Incomplete combustion (lack of oxygen) = CO, carbon monoxide

Combustion in air, which also contains nitrogen -

N2 + O2 ---> NO and NO2 - nitrogen oxides

Combustion of sulfur present in coal -   S  +  O2 --->  SO2

Incomplete burning = soot or particulate matter and/or VOC, Volatile Organic Compounds

2.  Greenhouse effect

B. Caused by the increase of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels and other gases

C. Possible global climate changes

D. Possible control measures

Text p. 344-49

We worked on this in Topic 5.

ProfONotes: Global Warming

QUES. 1: Review the composition of the atmosphere. What gases are present? Amounts? Where did the gases come from?

 Text p. 324-25 and links above
Atmosphere composition and layers -

Composition -

 QUES. 2: Review the layers (such as troposphere, stratosphere, etc) found in the atmosphere. Characteristics, properties, molecules present.

 Text p. 323-24 and links above
Earth’s Atmosphere -
Graphic images -

 QUES. 3: Use the Carbon Cycle and the two main specific chemical reactions to explain how planting more trees would help the global warming problem, while deforestation caused by "slash and burn" timber industries and subsistence farmers will make the problem worse.

 ProfO Notes: Carbon Cycle

Deforestation in the Amazon -

______________________________________________________

3.  Indoor Air Pollution - radon (text p. 332), smoking, cooking and heating (text p. 343-44)

Indoor Air Quality - general reference - EPA

Indoor Air Quality guide - EPA

Introduction - Indoor Air Pollution

A Citizen's Guide to Radon in Homes

U.S. Radon Potential Map Can do state maps.

Health Effects of Radon Report

Environmental Tobacco Smoke - “ETS is a complex mixture of chemicals generated during the burning and smoking of tobacco products. Chemicals present in ETS include irritants and systemic toxicants such as hydrogen cyanide and sulfur dioxide, mutagens and carcinogens such as benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde and 4-aminobiphenyl, and the reproductive toxicants nicotine, cadmium and carbon monoxide. Many ETS constituents have been identified as hazardous by state, federal and international agencies. To date, over 50 compounds in tobacco smoke have been identified as carcinogens and six as developmental or reproductive toxicants under California’s Proposition 65 (California Health and Safety Code 25249.5 et seq.).” http://www.oehha.org/air/environmental_tobacco/netsexec.html

QUES. 4: List and describe two specific indoor air pollutants. Give some sources (what are some combustion sources in your house?), health effects, and control measures.

(text p. 43-44)
Indoor Air Quality - general reference - EPA There are many specific compounds in the box on the right side.  Click on some of them for more info,

QUES. 5: Summarize why radon may be a potential problem in homes. Where does it come from? What are the health effects? Should any one worry about this and get their home tested immediately?

 Text p. 122, 129, 131, 344

QUES. 6:  What are the pollutants in second hand tobacco smoke?  What are the health effects from this smoke?

Health Effects of Tobacco Smoke -

Chemicals in Smoke -

II.  Molecule or Report of the Week:  Air Pollution Molecules

4. Types and sources of air pollutants (p. 326-338)

 (Brief introduction) - more details in Topic 8

Atmospheric Pollutants - wikipedia with links with brief descriptions of each.

CO - Carbon Monoxide

SO2 -Sulfur Dioxide

NOx - Nitrogen oxides

Volatile organic compounds VOC

Ozone -

 No Room to Breathe: Photochemical Smog and Ground-Level Ozone - A brief Review.

Particles - Suspended Particles

 

Smog   What is Smog?

Donora Killer Smog of 1948

Conditions in many parts China today are probably as worse or more than this incident.  This incident put the U.S. on the track of our current Air Pollution laws.

Acid Rain - Acid Rain - more in the next section.

Lead -  Lead EPA - outdoor -  EPA on Lead - indoor

Mercury - Mercury Basics - EPA

Asbestos - Asbestos - EPA

2. B.Stationary Sources:
   
   

Electric Power Plants, metal smelters, metal finishing, cement kilns, oil refineries

Sulfur oxides and particulates - industrial smog

Other pollutants include nitrogen oxides, mercury and other metals in particulates.

100. C. Mobile Sources: Transportation sources include automobiles, trucks, trains, and airplanes.  Ships in or near harbors.
     Pollutants include: Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates.
     

Air Pollution Molecule Report:

In the above outline section 4, a number of molecules and compounds in the atmosphere are listed.  Self select ONE of them (2-3 students per molecule).   You may have to use Google to find more sources of info, although one good reference is given for each.  Also text p. 320-328.

Report the following:

What is the name and formula (a few do not have an exact formula)

What is the source of the air pollution molecule? or how is it made or where does it come from?  If you can find some chemical equations, please report them.

What attempts have been made to control this air pollutant?

What are the effects on the non human environment?

What are the human health effects?

ozone

carbon dioxide

carbon monoxide

nitrogen oxides

sulfur oxides

VOC's

Particulates

Smog

Acid Rain

Lead

Mercury

Asbestos

______________________________________________________

3. III.Content Questions B:  Acid Rain
   

 A. Acid and Bases, pH

(Text p. 181-192)
ProfONotes: Acids & Bases
ProfONotes: pH of Acid Rain

 B. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides
reacting with water to make acids

(Text p. 195, 332-33)

ProfONotes:Comprehensive Acid Rain

What is Acid Rain?

Acid Rain Home - EPA

ProfO Notes: Formation of nitrogen oxides graphic

ProfO Notes: Nitric Acid Rain graphic
Acid Rain map of the U.S. animated map -  Shows Sulfate concentration from 1985 to 2005 - Sulfate is from sulfuric acid so the pH maps are very similar.

Map of Ecologically Sensitive Areas

Text p. 194, 333
Acid Rain Effects Index - EPA
Human Health Effects - Distinguish between the acid rain itself and the SOx and NOx gases
ProfONotes: Acid Rain Effects

 D. Effects of Acid Rain
ProfONotes:Comprehensive Acid Rain
General Effects of Acid Rain - Wikipedia

Lakes and Streams
Effects on Surface Water -


Forests
Effects on Forests -

Soils

ProfONotes:  Effects on Soils

Buildings

Text p. 195
Acid Rain and Buildings -USGS

QUES. 7: List the definitions, characteristics, pH ranges, and examples of both: acids and bases. Give a couple of examples of each. Explain what the pH scale measures.  (two-three students)

 (Text p. 181-192)

ProfONotes: Acids & Bases

ProfONotes: pH of Acid Rain

 QUES. 8:   What is acid rain?  What is the pH of acid rain?  How is it formed?  Write the chemical equations and/or word descriptions to show how the following gases make acids: Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, and Sulfur Dioxide (use as model). 

 (Text p. 333)  (two-three students)

ProfO Notes: Comprehensive Acid Rain
What is Acid Rain?
ProfO Notes: Carbonic Acid
ProfO Notes: Nitric Acid
ProfO Notes: Sulfurous Acid
ProfO Notes: Sulfuric Acid

QUES. 9: What are the environmental effects of Acid Rain?  What specifically is the cause and the effect?  Pick ONE of the following:  Lakes and Streams, Forests, Soils, Buildings, or Health Effects.  Use links above in part D.

For health effects, try to distinguish between sulfur oxides as gas effects vs. acid rain itself.

(Text p. 194-95, 333)  (up to 10 students)

______________________________________________________

E.  Possible control measures of air pollutants from autos and power plants

NOTES: U.S. Air Pollution Legislation in the Clear Air Acts o 1970, 1977, and 1990: Air pollution can be controlled by laws to establish desired standards and by mandating the technology to achieve the standards. This is sometimes referred to as the " command and control law" approach and was the established procedure prior to 1990. The EPA set a specific standard of how much of a specific pollutant would be allowed and then mandated the best available technology to achieve this standard.

QUES. 10: Use the links below and the sub links with in to choose ONE method to remove gases from cars, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or mercury from power plants.

List the air pollutant(s) that is to be controlled, how it is controlled, and any chemical compounds or reactions that might be used. (up to 10 students)

1. Automobile Catalytic Converter (text p. 331-32)

Converter - Howstuff works

Catalytic Converter - Wikipedia

Coal Electric Power Plants - p. 334

Control Technologies - Click on the Technologies menu to go to other pages.

Duke Power - Control Technologies

Flue Gas Desulfurization - wikipedia

2. Sulfur dioxide scrubbers

3. Electrostatic precipitators or bag filters,

1. 
   

2. IV.  Issue Question:  Is the EPA Sulfur Dioxide  Cap and Trade Program a valid method of reducing pollution?
   
   
   In the 1990 Clear Air Act a new approach is being used to use market forces to allow companies to decide what approach is best for them. Each year the EPA sets a certain total amount of sulfur dioxide that may be emitted. Each company is given the " rights" to emit a certain amount of sulfur dioxide. These rights may be bought and sold from other companies and allows the company to decide for itself when to build new, improve, or phase out existing facilities.
   
   

Text p. 334

Cap and Trade Basics for Sulfur Dioxide -
History of Air Pollution Control Laws - read all the way to the bottom for the definition of “Command and Control” laws which were in effect before the Cap and Trade Program.

Overview of the EPA Acid Rain Program - use the links on this page

Sulfur Dioxide Trading Allowance System

Progress Report - 10 years - 2007

Acid Rain Progress Report through 2007 - New York State Monitoring
Sulfur Dioxide Reductions 1980-2000

Trends in Sulfate Depositions - 1989-2000

Trends in Nitrate Depositions - 1989-2000

Acid Rain map of the U.S. animated map -  Shows Sulfate concentration from 1985 to 2005 - Sulfate is from sulfuric acid so the pH maps are very similar.

Interactive Map showing the reductions - click on the bottom to get it started. Each frame represents a year.

1. Issue Debate Question:  Is the EPA Sulfur Dioxide Cap and Trade Program a valid method of reducing pollution?
   

2. Four - six paragraphs.
   Review the web sites on the EPA Sulfur Dioxide Trading System above including the results as this program started in 1995. Explain the details of the sulfur dioxide reduction program. How does it work?  What is it supposed to do?  What are allowances?  What has been the result of the program?
   

3. Finally, Is the cap and trade program a valid, good approach to controlling air pollution (YES)
   OR
   is there something inherently or ethically wrong with a plan that says in effect that it is OK to emit a certain amount of pollution? (NO)
   

4. 
   V.  Response or Ask a Question - respond or comment to someone else, or use General Questions to ask a general question that the Prof or others might answer.  Extra responses earn extra credit (1 pt/ques. up to 2 points)
   
   Response Format:  What or why is something interesting?  Then add a new perspective or viewpoint.  Needs to be longer than one sentence.
   
   Ask a question Format:  Give a little background of what you already know or what is your interest, then add what you already know, then finally ask your question.
   

Content Question A

Ques. No.      Student ID #

Ques. 1       3, 7, 13, 21

Ques. 2       8, 6, 19, 23         

Ques. 3       4, 12,14, 24, 29

Ques. 4     9, 15, 25, 10, 16, 26, 22

Ques. 5      1, 17, 20, 27, 30

Ques. 6       2, 5, 11, 18, 28,

Charles E. Ophardt, Professor of Chemistry, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL 60126, charleso at elmhurst.edu, Copyright 2009