Photochemical Smog
Photochemical Smog
vOLATILE PEROXYACYTLY
NITROGEN
ORGANIC NITRATE
OXIDES
cOMPOUN
PHOTOCHEMICAL
SMOG
How is Photochemical Smog Formed?
1)Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can be broken down by sunlight to form
nitric oxide (NO) and an oxygenradical (0):
NO2 + sunlight NO + (O)
2) Oxygen radicals can then react with atmospheric oxygen (0:)
to form ozone (03).
(O) + 02 03
3) Ozone is consumed by nitric oxide to produce nitrogen dioxide
and oxygen.
03 + NO ’ No2 02
4) Harmful products, such as PAN, are produced by reactions of
nitrogen dioxide with various hydrocarbons (R), which are
compounds made from carbon, hydrogen and other substances:
NO2 + R products (such as PAN)
º 5) The main source of these hydrocarbons is the VOCs.
Similarly, oxygenated organic and inorganic compounds (RO)
react with nitric oxide to produce more nitrogen oxides
Solar radiation
NO
Nitric Oxide
H;0 NO Atomic
Water Nitrogen dioxide Oxygen Molecular oxygen
Hydrocarbons
HNO, PANS
Nitric acid Aldehydes
Ozone
Photochemical smog
Types of pollutants Causing Photo
chemicalSmog
Primary pollutants: The two major primary pollutants,
nitrogen oxides and VOCs, combine to change in sunlight in a
series of chemical reactions, to create what are known as
secondary pollutants.
Secondary pollutants: The secondary pollutant that
causes the most concern is the ozone that forms at ground level.
While ozone is produced naturally in the upper atmosphere, it is
a dangerous substance when found at ground level. Many other
hazardous substances are also formed, such as peroxyacetyl
Nitrate (PAN).
Sources of photochemical Smog
1)Biogenic Sources:
In nature, bushfires, lightning and the microbial processes that occur in soil
generate nitrogen oxides. VOs are produced from the evaporation of naturally
occurring compounds, such as terpenes, which are the hydrocarbons in oils that
make them burn. Eucalypts have also been found to release significant amounts of
these compounds.
2)Anthropogenic Sources:
Nitrogen oxides are produced mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels, particularly
in powerstations and motor vehicles. VOCs are formed from the incomplete
and from
combustion of fossil fuels, from the evaporation of solvents and
burning plant matter such as backyard burning and wood burning stoves.
In Adelaide in 2000, an estimated 66% of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) came from
motor vehicles, and a further 20% from fuel combustion. Motor vehicles
contributed 44% of VOC emissions.
Effects of photochemicalsmog:
1. Effects on Environment:
Photochemical smog has devastating effects on the environment. The
collection of chemicals found in photochemical smog causes problems for
plants and animal Life.
Before smiog
After smog
2.Effect on plants
Deposition of particulate matter containing toxic metals affects the
growth of plants.
The particulate matter after deposition in plants leaves block stomata
opening of plants and reduce growth.
Decrease the pH of the soil which makes the soil infertile.
Can lead to extensive damage to crops, trees.and vegetation.
Some plants such as tobacco, tomato and spinach are highly responsive
to ozone, so photochemical smog can decimate these sensitive crops,
trees and other vegetation.
3.Effects On Human Health