Air Pollution

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Pollution Noun

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[puh-loo-shun]

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Pollution

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The contamination of Earth's land, water, or air by the introduction of harmful substances or energy.

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Example: The image shows how vehicles and factories release pollutants into the air, causing pollution.

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Point Source Noun

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[point sors]

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Point Source

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A specific, identifiable source of pollution that can be traced back to a single, distinct origin.

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Example: The image shows various land uses like industrial and residential areas, illustrating potential sources of pollution.

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Nonpoint Source Noun

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[non-point sors]

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Nonpoint Source

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A widely spread source of pollution that is diffuse and cannot be tied to a specific origin.

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Example: The image shows how pollution from city streets, forestry, and cropland contributes to nonpoint source pollution.

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Emissions Noun

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[i-mish-unz]

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Emissions

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Pollutants, such as gases or particles, that are produced and discharged into the air from a source.

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Example: The image shows different sources of emissions, like factories and cars, releasing pollutants into the air.

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Smog Noun

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[smog]

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Smog

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A thick, brownish haze of air pollution that forms when certain gases react with sunlight.

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Example: This diagram shows how sunlight reacts with gases like nitrogen dioxide to form smog.

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Hydrocarbons Noun

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[hy-dro-kar-buns]

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Hydrocarbons

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Chemical compounds found in vehicle emissions that react in sunlight to produce a harmful form of ground-level ozone.

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Example: Hydrocarbons enter a car engine and are emitted as exhaust gases, contributing to air pollution.

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Nitrogen Oxides Noun

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[ny-truh-jen ok-sydes]

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Nitrogen Oxides

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A group of highly reactive gases from vehicle emissions that react in sunlight to produce ground-level ozone.

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Example: Nitrogen oxides react with sunlight and other compounds to form ground-level ozone.

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Temperature Inversion Noun

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[tem-per-uh-cher in-vur-zhun]

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Temperature Inversion

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A weather condition where a layer of warm air traps cooler, polluted air near Earth's surface.

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Example: The image shows how warm air traps cooler air below, illustrating temperature inversion.

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Acid Rain Noun

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[as-id rayn]

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Acid Rain

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Precipitation, such as rain or snow, that is significantly more acidic than normal due to air pollution.

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Example: Pollutants like NO2 and SO2 rise, forming acid rain that harms trees.

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Sulfur Dioxide Noun

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[sul-fer dy-ok-syde]

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Sulfur Dioxide

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A harmful gas produced by burning fossil fuels that reacts with water in the air to form acid rain.

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Example: The image shows the molecular structure of sulfur dioxide, a gas that contributes to acid rain.