ENV 3A08
For an overview of UK emissions by sector see pie diagrams prepared for the course:
Slides in powerpoint: How was smog discovered and unravelled in Los Angeles by Tucker, Haagen-Smit and Leighton? What was so important about the 20th C, most especially the change to liquid fuels and how volatile fuels form peroxy radicals and initiate oxidation chain reactions in the atmosphere. The key reactions in the NOx psuedo-equilibrium and photo-stationary state, the role of organics and the OH radical (see reading in Air Composition and Chemistry). The production of aldehydes and PAN.
Regulating Air Quality Slides in powerpoint: Initial discussion about dispersive sources of air pollution: agriculture, mining, demolition and vehicles (especially Sb from brake pads)The characteristic decline of primary air pollutants.The neglect of urban air in Britain of the 1980's and the reinterest following the paper Our Common Inheritance which required the design of the UK monitotring network. The creation of DoE, its professionalization and the development of review groups (most especially QUARG) were important for UK to contribute to EU. The principles and philosophy of European Union Directive 96/62/EC and its daughter directives. Gloom over urban air pollution. The importance of chemical reactions for air pollution control policy - the example of Mexico city. The role of POCP (photochemical ozone creation potential) and problems of benzene in fuels and reducing NOx emissions alone, as illustrated in the classic diagram of ozone contours as a function of NOx and hydrocarbons. (read Chapter 6 of Air Composition and Chemistry if you are having problems). The omissions from 96/62EC- no fluorine or 1,3 butadiene.
| HOMEPAGES: | ENV 3A08 | Peter Brimblecombe | School of Environmental Sciences |