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Sources of air pollution

19 January, 2016 - 16:37

There are two main sources of air pollution:

  1. Naturally occurring pollutants (such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires, windstorms)
  2. Anthropogenic air pollutants (i.e. those created by human activity)

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Table 1.1 lists some examples of natural air pollutants.
Table 1.1 Natural air pollutants

Sources

Pollutants

Volcanoes

Sulfur oxides, particulates

Forest fires

Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates

Wind storms

Dust

Plants (live)

Hydrocarbons, pollen

Plants (decaying)

Methane, hydrogen sulfide

Soil

Viruses, dust

Sea

Salt particulates

 

Based on the above examples of natural air pollutants, please try to complete the activity below by thinking of other sources of pollutants that you have experienced or heard about.

Pollution also comes from anthropogenic sources. Table 1.2 lists some examples of human made air pollutants.

Sources

Pollutants

Table 1.2 Anthropogenic air pollutants

Power plants (fixed sources)

Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, particulates

Transportation (mobile sources)

Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, particulates and refrigerants

Buildings

Refrigerants

Factories

Dust, hydrocarbons and assorted emissions

Agriculture

Methane, hydrogen sulfide

Nuclear industry (including nuclear power plants)

Radiation, radioactive waste