Tag: air and water pollution control

Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth's climate.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), once used as refrigerants and aerosol propellants until they were phased out by international agreement, are also greenhouse gases. They damage the ozone layer of the atmosphere. 

A greenhouse gas is any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere. By increasing the heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are responsible for the greenhouse effect, which ultimately leads to global warming.

Synthetic oil is a lubricant consisting of chemical compounds that are artificially made. Synthetic lubricants can be manufactured using chemically modified petroleum components rather than whole crude oil, but can also be synthesized from other raw materials. Full synthetic oils are derived from crude oil or byproducts through a chemical process rather than the distillation process used for conventional oil. The resulting synthetic oil has a more consistent molecular size and therefore tends to have somewhat more uniform properties.

Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula $C{ H } _{ 4 }$ (one atom of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen). It is a group 14 hydride and the simplest alkane, and is the main component of natural gas.In its natural state, methane is found both below ground and under the sea floor. When it finds its way to the surface and the atmosphere, it is known as atmospheric methane

Oxides of sulphur do not combine with any other molecule to give hydrocarbon, while manmade sources like industries, vehicles release hydrocarbon into the atmosphere.

Primary Pollutants are the ones which are injected into the atmosphere directly.  Examples include:

1. Carbon monoxide (CO)
2. Oxides of nitrogen ($N{ O } _{ x },NO$ )
3. Sulfur oxides ($S{ O } _{ x }$)
4. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
5. Particulate matter (dust, ash, salt particles)

Human activities have produced a 28% increase in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, from 313.83 ppm in 1960 to 400 ppm in 2015. 

Ground-level ozone is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs), also known as hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides ($N{ O } _{ x }$) interact in the presence of sunlight. Sources of VOC and $N{ O } _{ x }$ emissions include:

large industry such as chemical manufacturers, and combustion sources such as power plants burning fossil fuels.

small industry such as gasoline-dispensing facilities, auto body paint shops, and print shops

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) is the hydrocarbon pollutant from electrical transformers.