Term
| What comprised the Early atmosphere? |
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Definition
Early atmosphere was comprised of Hydrogen and Helium
- light elements or not heavy |
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Term
| What are the different zones of Earth's atmosphere |
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Definition
From low to High
- Troposphere
- tropopause
- Stratosphere
- Stratopause
- Mesosphere
- Mesopause
- Thermosphere |
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Term
|
Definition
First layer of atmosphere
- temperature decreases with height on average
- characterized by vertical and horizontal air motion |
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Term
| What 2 regions characterize Troposphere |
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Definition
- Planetary Boundary Layer (1 km depth)
- Free Troposphere |
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Term
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Definition
Layer of air immediately above troposphere
- temperature is isothermal or Constant
- varies in depth |
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Term
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Definition
Above Tropopause
- Temperature increases with height
45 - 55 Km
- very stable region with littler vertical mixing of air
- few clouds / no weather
- warmer temperatures due to absorption of UV radiation |
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Term
| Where does the Ozone Layer exist |
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Definition
| Ozone layer exists in the straosphere |
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Term
| Why is the Ozone layer important |
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Definition
Ozone layer absorbs UV light arriving from the sun
- UV light can cause skin cancers and harm plants and animals |
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Term
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Definition
The strotopause forms boundary layer between stratosphere and mesosphere
- has isothermal conditions ( constant) |
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Term
| What is the Mesosphere and what characterizes it |
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Definition
Mesosphere is above stratopause and exists at 85 km in earths atmosphere
- coldest region of atmosphere
- rapid vertical mixing of air |
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Term
| What is the thermosphere and what characterizes it |
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Definition
The thermopshere extends from 90 - 1000 km in earths atmosphere
- high thermodynamic temperatures around 1200 degrees Celsius
- solar energy absorbed by N2 and O2 which result in photo-ionization and ionized layer called ionosphere |
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Term
| What is the Ionosphere and what does it do? |
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Definition
the ionosphere forms auroras
- bombarding of light particles fromt he sun emit visible light which creates the northern and southern lights
- also reflects radio signals |
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Term
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Definition
Albedo describes reflectivity
- an object that reflects 50 % albedo refelcts 1 /2 the light falling on it |
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Term
| What is the Greenhouse effect |
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Definition
The greenhouse effect is caused by part of the energy radiating into space being reflected back to earth's surface
- atmosphere has natural greenhouse effect by trapping infrared energy to increase earth's temperature |
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Term
| How did the atmosphere evolve? |
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Definition
- early atmosphere was similar to molecular composition of the sun
- early atmosphere was H and He with small amounts of methane (CH4) and ammonia (NH3) H2O vapor and N2 |
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Term
| Why did H and He release out of earth's early atmosphere? |
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Definition
| H and He were lost rapidly due to small molecular mass |
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Term
| What did short wave solar radiation due to H2O and NH3? what was the result? |
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Definition
| Short wave solar radiation decomposed H2O and NH3 and resulted in molecular O2 and N2 |
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Term
| What effect did Volcanic eruptions have on earth's early atmosphere? |
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Definition
| Volcanic eruptions contributed to CO2, H2O vapor, and N2 and other sulfur bearing gases in earth's atmosphere |
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Term
| What caused the synthesis of essential organic molecules? |
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Definition
| Solar and electrical discharges provided energy essential to synthesis of organic molecules |
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Term
| What resulted in the earth's atmosphere after the evolution of photosynthetic life forms? |
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Definition
| O2 became abundant after the evolution of photosynthetic life forms. |
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Term
| How was O2 in earth's new atmosphere important? |
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Definition
O2 is necessary for the evolution of life and small organic molecules.
- Increased atmosphere O2 created ozone in stratosphere (O3) which is important to shield UV light from primitive organisms
- H20 vapor condensed as temperatures cooled and created oceans
- large ocean reservoir created a sink for atmospheric CO2, leaving N2 as dominant atmospheric gas |
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Term
| How long has atmospheric evolution been estimated, and explain if any contributions have changed it? What are the additions called? |
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Definition
Earths atmosphere has been estimated to be evolved over 4.5 billion years, and humans have developed the ability recently to rapidly change the chemistry of the atmosphere.
- these additions are called contaminants or pollutants which is the result of human activity on earth. |
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Term
| what is a significant example of human contribution to pollutants? What is the consequence? |
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Definition
a significant contribution to pollutants include the production and release of chloroflourocarbons, or CFC's in to the atmosphere.
- this reduces stratospheric ozone. |
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Term
| What are two types of atmospheric pollution, and how are they defined? |
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Definition
One type is Ambient air pollution
- affects free-flowing air outdoors
Indoor pollution
- industrial workplaces
- non-industrial building environments |
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Term
| What contributes to natural air pollution? |
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Definition
Natural air pollution includes geogenic sources
- volcanoes
- mineral dusts
- ocean salt
biogenic sources
- mold spores and pollen
- biological decompisition
- volatile emissions from vegetation
Atmospheric sources
- electrical storms
- stratospheric intrusion
- photochemical processes |
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Term
| What are the significant affects associated with natural air pollution? |
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Definition
significant affects include
- volcanoes
- forest fires
- dust storms
- mold and pollen |
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Term
| why does natural air pollution have a low significance in causing human health problems? |
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Definition
Natural air pollution has low significance because
- exposure levels are low
- sources and human populations are often distant
- major source emissions are episodic and transient |
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Term
| What is anthropogenic air pollution? |
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Definition
| It is pollution as a result of humans |
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Term
| Why is anthropogenic air pollution bad? |
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Definition
| Anthropogenic air pollution elevates exposure concentrations, it is exacerbated by atmospheric conditions, and the atmosphere is not an infinite sink. |
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Term
| What are the historical concerns of Anthropogenic air pollution? |
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Definition
Some concerns of anthropogenic air pollution are
- use of fire
- industrial revolution
- population increases
- technological advances |
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Term
| What are the terms commonly used to describe air pollution, and where did they come from? |
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Definition
some common terms for air pollution are
- smog, which came from England by combining Smoke and Fog. |
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Term
| what chemical gives off the brown color of smog? |
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Definition
the brown color of smog, which i a result of human activity like burning gas and poor air dispersion,
- comes from the presence of NO2 |
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Term
| What is another name for air pollution? not smog. What makes them different? |
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Definition
Haze is often used to describe air pollution, and is related to smog due to reduction of visibility.
- they are different due to haze is not very intense and describes a wide scale low level pollution that causes visibility reduction in the midwest, northeast, and south east. |
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Term
| with respect to natural and atmospheric air pollution, what two traditional types classify air pollutants? |
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Definition
The two states of air pollutants are
- gaseous
- particulate |
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Term
| What are non-traditional air pollutants? |
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Definition
air quality can be degraded by non-traditional air pollutants such as
- noise
- heat
- ionizing radiation
- and electromagnetic fields associated with the transfer of electricity |
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Term
| What is the highest proportion of characterized pollution? |
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Definition
Gases have a 90% proportion of characterized pollution
- produced by compustion of fuels, smelting of mineral ores, vaporization of volatile liquids and solids. |
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Term
| What characterizes particle pollutants? |
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Definition
particle pollutants are solid and liquid matter suspended
- known as aerosols |
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Term
| What are the two types of pollutant sources? |
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Definition
The two types of pollutant sources are
- Primary pollutants which come from an identifiable source
- secondary pollutants which are produced in the atmospher as a result of chemical reactions (ground level ozone) |
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Term
| What distinguishes primary pollutants? |
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Definition
the distinctions of primary pollutants are
- mobile or non-mobile
- combustion or non-combustion
- area or point sources
- direct or indirect |
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Term
| Why is classifying primary pollutants important to the EPA? |
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Definition
| Classifications of primary pollution sources are used in both regulatory and administrative approaches to implementing control programs (Dallas ground level ozone example) |
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Term
| What are the primary components to atmospheric composition? |
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Definition
the primary components are
- N2 at 78 percent
- O2 at roughly 21 %
and various other trace gases such as
- argon
- neon
- He
- Krypton
- H2
- Xenon |
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Term
| What effect does air pollution have on people? |
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Definition
| air pollution kills about 50,000 people in the US from heart disease, asthma, stroke, and bronchitis. |
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Term
| What are the acute effects of air pollution? |
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Definition
some acute effects of air pollution are
- eye, nose, and throat irritation
- asthma attacks
- premature death |
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Term
| What are some chronic effects of air pollution? |
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Definition
some chronic effects, which are a major focus of pollution regulation, are
- respiratory and cardiovascular disease
- neurotoxic effects
- cancer |
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Term
| What are some consequences from interaction between pollutants? 3 types |
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Definition
Exposure to multiple pollutants may result in
- additive effects
- synergistic effects
- antagonistic effects |
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Term
| What are additive effects? |
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Definition
| an additive effect is a result of interaction to air pollutant that lead to an irritant response like coughing. |
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Term
| What are antagonistic effects? example? |
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Definition
Antagonistic effects are when one pollutant interferes with the effect of another
- for example, when NH3 neutralizes SO2 in inspired air |
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Term
| What is a synergistic effects? example |
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Definition
A synergistic effect comes as a result of two or more pollutants become multiplicative or nearly so.
- aspestos and tobacco smoke for example amplify pollution effects. |
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Term
| What are some toxicological responses to air pollution? what do they do? |
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Definition
Some toxicological responses are
- Terategenesis: cause birth defects
- Mutagenesis: cause mutations
- Gametotoxicity: damage sex cells
- endocrine disrupters: mimic sex hormones |
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Term
| What EPA statute regulates air pollution? what does it cover? |
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Definition
The EPA statue that regulates air pollution falls under the US Clean Air Act (CAA)
- CAA addresses an array of air pollution controls including air pollution in troposphere and stratospheric ozone depletion. |
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Term
| Who are the most impacted by the CAA? |
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Definition
The residents that are most affected by the CAA (dallas residents) live in urban regions that are designated as 'non attainment' areas
- these areas implement control over criteria air pollutants |
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Term
| What are the NAAQS? where are they identified? |
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Definition
The NAAQS are federal standards implemented to protect public health.
- they are identified in the CAA |
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Term
| how does the EPA designate attainment and non-attainment areas? |
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Definition
| Attainment and non-attainment areas are determined if the SIP or region meets the NAAQS defined under the CAA. |
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Term
| Under the CAA, what are the 6 criteria pollutants? |
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Definition
- ground level ozone
- CO
- SO2
- Lead
- NO
- Particulates |
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Term
| for particle pollutants, how does size matter? |
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Definition
Particle size determines
- atmospheric lifetime
- effectiveness of light scattering
- deposition in human lung |
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Term
| What kind of charges do particles of particular size carry? |
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Definition
- Particles > 3um carry - charges
- particles < .01um carry positive charges
- particles ranging < 3.0um > 0.01um are variable
- particle charges can affect particle coagulation and speed of dry deposition |
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Term
| What is the historical 1-hour standard for meeting attainment for ground level ozone? |
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Definition
Must exist at less than 125 molecules / 1 billion molecules
- must also have no more than 3 exceedances over a consecutive 3 year period at a single monitor |
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Term
| what are the potential sanctions imposed in non-attainment areas? how would they be enforced? |
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Definition
- if TCEQ does not submit plane to EPA on time
- TCEQ does not submit a complete plan
- Projects not implemented from plan |
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Term
| What are some consequences of failing to create acceptable SIP? |
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Definition
| there is increased difficulty in locating or expanding business and there could be a loss of transportation funds for roadway capacity improvements |
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Term
| What were some challenges to reducing the existence of ground level ozone in their SIP? |
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Definition
| they had to reduce NOx emissions and control measures must be creditable, realistic, and enforceable. |
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Term
| what is the evolution of Federal Clean Air laws? Key points |
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Definition
- 1963 CAA
- 1970 EPA created, Permitting Program, SIPs, NAAQS
- 1972 Ozone NAAQS standard (.08 ppm) with TSP (150 microcrams)
- 1979 Ground Ozone changed to (0.12 ppm)
- 1990 Amendment to CAA implement rate of progress and new classification system
- Supreme Court upholds EPA authority to implement new 8 - hour ozone standard (0.08 ppm)
- 2008 - EPA promulgates new 8 - hour ozone standard (0.075 ppm) |
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Term
| How could dallas during the non-attainment for ozone show that they have met EPA standards classifed under NAAQS in the CAA? |
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Definition
To acheive attainment in 2007, D/FW area ozone monitor could not show more than 3 exceedances of ozone standard 125 ppb over a 3 conecutive summer seasons (2005 - 2007)
- more exceedances required for more additional control measures |
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Term
| what sort of planning went in to acheiving attainment in D/FW area? |
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Definition
-There was an effort to identify, evaluate and finalize control strategies during august - oct 1999
- more tan 30 control measures for point, mobile and area sources were identified by 15 technical working groups and the TNRCC
- Measures screened and ranked by ENVIRON Int |
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Term
| How was the SIP for attainment developed? |
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Definition
- Aug. 1999 4 nonattainment counties began to work with TNRCC on new plan
- Sept. 1999 Technical subcomittees brainstorm over 300 potential control measures
- consultant ranks the 300 measures based on expected emision benefits, cost, and feasibility
- Oct 1999 TNRCC input recomends 17 measures to the steering committee which recommends measures to the TNRCC |
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Term
| After 1999, what developement of new air plane occured? |
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Definition
Jan - feb 2000
- TNRCC solicits public comment
April 2000
- TNRCC recommends control measures to EPA
Jan 2001
- after technical review, EPA iues draft decision approving plan
Spring 2001
- 60 day comment period on EPAs draft decision or approval
- lawsuits in proces of being resolved
April 2001
- final EPA action
Post April 2001
- implementation |
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Term
| What are some of the highlights to the clean air plane? Specifically automobiles |
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Definition
- Low emission diesal fuel
- more stringent inspection and maintanence
- 5 mph reduction on highways
- transportation control measures
- travel demand management
- voluntary vehicle retirement |
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Term
| Did dallas meet attainment under NAAQS under ozone? |
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Definition
Yes and no
- they met the goals defined under NAAQS
- But when they did, rules changed and did not meet standards |
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Term
| From 1996 - 2008 how did the Ozone standards under NAAQS change? |
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Definition
| it went from 0.08 in 1996 under the 8 hour ozone --> 0.075 in the 2008 revision for 8-hour ozone |
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Term
| what was the problem with the notification system for ozone before attainment areas were reached? |
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Definition
| - the problem was taht once the message got out, the ozone event had already occured making the system worthless |
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Term
| what was the new system for reporting on Air Quality? |
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Definition
The new system involved a coaltion between local public health officials local governments TNRCC /NWS Epa and Media
- They color coded county maps and created a color coded map to report on air quality to communicate to public |
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Term
| What can we conclude about SIPs? |
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Definition
| We can conclude that SIPs raise public awarenss to help empower people for personal health decisions, and promote the importance of meeting clean air goals. |
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Term
| what is the difference between air sampling and Air monitoring |
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Definition
- Sampling is a technique that involves a representation of the atmosphere to be evaluated at a later time
- monitoring provides a real time analysis of atomophere |
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Term
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Definition
| air sampling quantifies air pollutant levels, allowing a pollutant concentration to be known |
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Term
| What are the 5 types of Air sampling Categories? |
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Definition
The 5 types of air sampling categories are
- Source which measures pollution leaving a factory or stationary source
- ambient which measures outdoor air pollution levels and related to compliance with NAAQS
- Industrial hygiene which measures indoor workplaces
- Residential which evaluates the healthfulness of indoor air in living areas
- Quality control which monitors the makeup of a production process |
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Term
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Definition
| monitoring is used to provide real time or almost immediate information about air |
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Term
| What is a gas volume meter? |
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Definition
volume meters measure total volume of gas passed through a meter over a specified length of time
- must be calibrated before hand |
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Term
| What are the different types of Gas Volume Meters? |
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Definition
- Spirometer
- displacement Bottle
- soap-bubble meter
- mercury-sealed piston
- roots meter
- wet test meter
- dry gas meter |
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Term
| How is a Spirometer Designed? |
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Definition
- It is shaped like a cylinder with a closed top
- open end is submerged in a tank of fluid
- valves can be opened and cloed to expose the inside of the cylinder to the atmosphere
- flud should be at room temperature and care is taken to ensure equilibrim between internal/external pressure
- advantage, simple and inexpensive
- disadvantage not portable |
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Term
| How is the displacement bottle designed? |
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Definition
- Stoppered glass jar or plastic container filled with liquid
- may have a hole in the top/bottom to let gas in or drain fluid out
- as fluid is drained, gas is drawn in by lowered pressure created by removal of fluid
- fluid hould be equal in temperature to the gas being collected
- advantage: simple, frequently used to calibrate other instruments |
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Term
| How is a Soap Bubble Meter designed? |
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Definition
- cylindraical gas tube with graduated markings
- vaccum source is connected and the open bottom is briefuly inserted into a soap and water solution
- soap bubble will rise and volume of air can be measured
- preciseness depends on air pressure
- advantage - convenient method for measuring small volumes of gas and extremely accurate
- disadvantage : frictiion caused by soap |
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Term
| How is a Mercury-sealed piston designed? |
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Definition
The mercury sealed piston design is
- precisely bored borosillicate glas cylinder, a close fitting polyvinyl chloride piston, and a piston ring of mercury
- mercyr stays in place around the piston allowing for a frictionles piston when compared to a bubble meter
- advantge: accurate used to calibrate other instruments
- disadvantage: delicate expensive only used in the lab and not in the field |
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Term
| How is the roots meter designed? |
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Definition
- there is positive displacement meter used for measuring large gas volumes at high flow rates
- chamber encloses two machined impellers, which rotate in opposite directions - figure 8 pattern
- inlet and outlet gas connections are on opposite sides
- revolutions of the impellers measure air as air enters/ exits meter
- revolutions are counted through indexed meter reading
- Advantage:
- Disadvantage: intrusion of particulates will contaminate gas measurements |
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Term
| How is a wet - test meter designed? |
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Definition
- a wet test meter utilizes a water level to caputre precise volumes of gas
- the metere is partially filled with water, and the water level must be precisely maintained
- gas inlet/ exit ports allow for gas to fill an underwater chamber, displacing gas and allowing a shaft to rotate
- rotation allows for air volume measurements
- air/ water temperature needs to be equal
- advantage: accurate
- disadvantage: constant monitoring of water leve, gas can dissolve into the water |
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Term
| how is a dry gas meter designed? |
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Definition
- Used in residential, indutrial and outdoor meassurements
- contains 2 or more accordion like chambers
- gas flow from inlet pressure or outletvaccum alternately inflates/deflates each chamber causing ga to flow through a meter
- flow volume i measured on a set of dials
- advantage: rugged and reliable - n correction to water vapor
- disadvantage: calibration must be checked frequently to to wear on chambers |
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Term
| Why when measuring air flow rate is rate and time important? |
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Definition
| - they are important because they measure observations of particulate matter |
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Term
| What meter woudl we use to measure particulate matter? |
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Definition
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Term
|
Definition
- consits of a glass or plastic vertical tube
- spherical float or ball
- ball rises from bottom to top
- tube is marked with a graduated scale
- the vertical scale mark provides the "rotameter reading"
- the float will rise to a mark
- calibration performed by manufacturer
- advantages: quick and easy way to check flow rate easy to read, minimal errors |
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