Chemistry of the Environment

Air quality and pollutants, the greenhouse effect, water treatment and testing, and fertilisers.

Air and its pollutants

Clean dry air is about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, ~1% argon and a small amount of carbon dioxide (and other gases).

Pollutant	Source	Harmful effect
Carbon monoxide (CO)	incomplete combustion of fuels	toxic — binds to haemoglobin
Sulfur dioxide ( $SO_2$ )	burning fossil fuels containing sulfur	acid rain, respiratory problems
Oxides of nitrogen ( $NO_x$ )	high-temperature combustion in engines	acid rain, photochemical smog
Particulates	diesel engines	respiratory problems

Catalytic converters in cars reduce pollution, e.g. $2CO + 2NO \rightarrow N_2 + 2CO_2$ .

Create a free account to read this note in full. Every free account gets 2 complete revision notes — no card needed.

Air and its pollutants

Clean dry air is about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, ~1% argon and a small amount of carbon dioxide (and other gases).

Pollutant	Source	Harmful effect
Carbon monoxide (CO)	incomplete combustion of fuels	toxic — binds to haemoglobin
Sulfur dioxide ( $SO_2$ )	burning fossil fuels containing sulfur	acid rain, respiratory problems
Oxides of nitrogen ( $NO_x$ )	high-temperature combustion in engines	acid rain, photochemical smog
Particulates	diesel engines	respiratory problems

Catalytic converters in cars reduce pollution, e.g.

2CO + 2NO \rightarrow N_2 + 2CO_2