Properties & effects of atmospheric pollutants (AQA GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science)

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Atmospheric pollutants

Carbon monoxide poisoning

  • Carbon monoxide is an extremely poisonous gas as it combines with haemoglobin in blood and prevents it from carrying oxygen
  • It is particularly dangerous as it is colourless and odourless, making it difficult to detect
  • A lack of oxygen supply to the brain can lead to fainting, coma or death

Why is releasing particulates a problem?

  • Solid carbon particles (or particulates) released from incomplete combustion clump together to form soot which gradually falls back to the ground
  • Particulates can cause several problems:
    • If they are inhaled they can damage the lungs and cause respiratory problems
    • They can cover buildings and statues, making them look unclean and accelerating corrosion
    • They can reflect sunlight back into space reducing the amount of light reaching the earth, this is called global dimming

Soot Statue, Edexcel GCSE Chemistry

Statues and monuments in very polluted areas become blackened over time from soot

Sulfur Dioxide

  • Sulfur dioxide is a colourless, pungent smelling gas that is a major air pollutant responsible for acid rain
  • The sulfur dioxide released mixes with clouds and readily dissolves in rainwater
  • SO2 is a non-metal oxide so it forms an acidic solution in water, hence forming acid rain, H2SO4
  • Acid rain causes corrosion to metal structures, buildings and statues made of carbonate rocks
  • It causes damage to aquatic organisms, pollutes crops and water supplies, and irritates lungs, throats and eyes

How acid rain is formed

How acid rain is produced, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Oxides of sulfur and nitrogen contribute to the formation of acid rain

Oxides of Nitrogen

  • Oxides of nitrogen come largely from vehicle exhausts and also contribute to acid rain
  • They are produced when nitrogen and oxygen react at high temperatures which are reached in a vehicle engine
  • Aside from acid rain, oxides of nitrogen produce photochemical smog and breathing difficulties, in particular for people suffering from asthma

Examiner Tip

Greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants are not the same thing. A greenhouse gas causes global warming whereas a pollutant is something which is not found in clean air and which causes problems close to the ground such as smog and breathing difficulties.

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.