Air Pollution
Air pollution is not one of the bigger issues in France or in Europe compared to rest of the world.
This map will show you the air quality in the world
Air pollution comes from eight different pollutants:
Ammonia ( Learn more about Ammonia: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ammoniarefrigeration/ )
Carbon monoxide ( Learn more about Carbon monoxide: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/carbonmonoxide/ )
Carbon dioxide ( Learn more about Carbon dioxide: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html )
Methane ( Learn more about Methane: http://epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/ch4.html )
Nitrogen oxides ( Learn more about Nitrogen oxides: http://www.epa.gov/oaqps001/nitrogenoxides/ )
Non methane volatile organic compounds ( Learn more about Non methane volatile organic compounds: http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/eea-32-non-methane-volatile-1 )
Ozone ( Learn more about ozone: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/ )
Particulate matter ( Learn more about Particulate matter: http://www.epa.gov/airscience/air-particulatematter.htm )
Sulfur dioxide ( Learn more about Sulfur dioxide: http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/ )
Ammonia ( Learn more about Ammonia: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ammoniarefrigeration/ )
Carbon monoxide ( Learn more about Carbon monoxide: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/carbonmonoxide/ )
Carbon dioxide ( Learn more about Carbon dioxide: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html )
Methane ( Learn more about Methane: http://epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/ch4.html )
Nitrogen oxides ( Learn more about Nitrogen oxides: http://www.epa.gov/oaqps001/nitrogenoxides/ )
Non methane volatile organic compounds ( Learn more about Non methane volatile organic compounds: http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/eea-32-non-methane-volatile-1 )
Ozone ( Learn more about ozone: http://www.epa.gov/groundlevelozone/ )
Particulate matter ( Learn more about Particulate matter: http://www.epa.gov/airscience/air-particulatematter.htm )
Sulfur dioxide ( Learn more about Sulfur dioxide: http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/ )
On this website you will learn about the four majors pollutants affecting France; Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen oxide, ground level Ozone, and Particulate matter.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
According to US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), the largest sources of SO2 are from fossil fuel combustion at power plants (73%), from Industries (20%), and from burning of high sulfur containing fuels by locomotives, large ships, and non-road equipment (9%). Sulfur dioxide is also one of the major producers of acid rain.
The sulfur dioxide cycle explains how Sulfur is produced and how it is affecting the environment.
Source: www.britannica.com
The Sulfur Dioxide cycle
Sulfur is formed from combustion of: “smelting and burning from fossil fuels” (Industries), and also volcanoes (but this is not the case in France). When sulfur is emitted, it can react with other pollutants or oxygen in the air and will produce acid rain. So when it is raining (on the figure: wet deposition) on water sources, the sulfur produces sulfides, and both pollutants deposit it in the sediments. They affect plant growth, and also the plants start depositing sulfur and sulfides everywhere, which reduces plant growth.
According to US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency), the largest sources of SO2 are from fossil fuel combustion at power plants (73%), from Industries (20%), and from burning of high sulfur containing fuels by locomotives, large ships, and non-road equipment (9%). Sulfur dioxide is also one of the major producers of acid rain.
The sulfur dioxide cycle explains how Sulfur is produced and how it is affecting the environment.
Source: www.britannica.com
The Sulfur Dioxide cycle
Sulfur is formed from combustion of: “smelting and burning from fossil fuels” (Industries), and also volcanoes (but this is not the case in France). When sulfur is emitted, it can react with other pollutants or oxygen in the air and will produce acid rain. So when it is raining (on the figure: wet deposition) on water sources, the sulfur produces sulfides, and both pollutants deposit it in the sediments. They affect plant growth, and also the plants start depositing sulfur and sulfides everywhere, which reduces plant growth.
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)
NOx forms from emissions from cars, trucks and buses, power plants, and also from off-road equipment. It contributes to the formation of ground level ozone and fine Particle pollution (Next articles). Nitrogen oxide is also one of the major producers of acid rain.
The Nitrogen oxide cycle explains how Nitrogen is produced and how it is affecting the environment.
Image resource: www.eea.europa.eu
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Nitrogen cycle is the process when nitrogen produces different chemicals. The steps are called fixation, assimilation ammonification, nitrification and denitrification.
NOx forms from emissions from cars, trucks and buses, power plants, and also from off-road equipment. It contributes to the formation of ground level ozone and fine Particle pollution (Next articles). Nitrogen oxide is also one of the major producers of acid rain.
The Nitrogen oxide cycle explains how Nitrogen is produced and how it is affecting the environment.
Image resource: www.eea.europa.eu
The Nitrogen Cycle
The Nitrogen cycle is the process when nitrogen produces different chemicals. The steps are called fixation, assimilation ammonification, nitrification and denitrification.
Want to know more about the Nitrogen cycle ? Watch this video !
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Ozone (O3)
Around the earth, there are two spheres: the troposphere, and the startosphere (just above the troposphere). The good ozone is a layer above the stratosphere to protect the earth against the harmful ultraviolet rays created by the sun. There is also a bad ozone, which is called "the ground level ozone"(definition under the image).
Here is a image showing the different spheres and how the bad ozone is produced.
Image resource: www.policyalmanac.org
Ground level ozone
It is created by chemicals reactions with the Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and the volatile organic compound (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. The major sources of NOx and VOC are industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents. Ground level ozone is really bad for people to breath, and it also has a negative effect the ozone layer.
Around the earth, there are two spheres: the troposphere, and the startosphere (just above the troposphere). The good ozone is a layer above the stratosphere to protect the earth against the harmful ultraviolet rays created by the sun. There is also a bad ozone, which is called "the ground level ozone"(definition under the image).
Here is a image showing the different spheres and how the bad ozone is produced.
Image resource: www.policyalmanac.org
Ground level ozone
It is created by chemicals reactions with the Nitrogen oxide (NOx) and the volatile organic compound (VOC) in the presence of sunlight. The major sources of NOx and VOC are industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents. Ground level ozone is really bad for people to breath, and it also has a negative effect the ozone layer.
Want to know more about Ozone ? Click on this button !
Particulate matter (PM)
Particulate matter is a mixture of aerosol particles. It is made up of acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil and dust particles. It is usually produced by combustion of fossil fuels, from the smoke of the industries, from agriculture (moving the dust on the ground) and also from vehicles.
Particulate matter is a mixture of aerosol particles. It is made up of acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil and dust particles. It is usually produced by combustion of fossil fuels, from the smoke of the industries, from agriculture (moving the dust on the ground) and also from vehicles.
Learn more on Particulate matter