Discussion
Sources and classification of five common pollutants.
| Pollutant | Classification | Dominant source |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur dioxide | Primary | Coal and oil combustion |
| Carbon monoxide | Primary | Incomplete combustion |
| Ozone | Secondary | Photochemistry from precursors |
| Ammonium nitrate aerosol | Secondary | Reaction of ammonia with nitric acid |
What do the two secondary entries have in common for control policy?
Answer: A
Correct answer: Only their precursors can be controlled
Ozone and ammonium nitrate aerosol are both formed in the atmosphere, so no source emits either and no emission limit can be written for them. Control must act on the precursors - oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds for ozone; ammonia and nitric acid, itself from nitrogen oxides, for the aerosol.
That makes both harder to manage than a primary pollutant. The chemistry is non-linear, the precursors often come from different sectors and different jurisdictions, and the response to a given reduction cannot be assumed proportional.
Post your comment
Please log in or register to post a comment.
Examination Categories
- SSC Exams
- Banking Exams
- Teaching Exams
- Civil Services Exams
- Railways Exams
- Engineering Recruitment Exams
- Defence Exams
- State Government Exams
- Police Exams
- Insurance Exams
- Nursing Exams
- Other Government Exams
- NRA CET
- PG Entrance Exams
- Campus Placement
- MBA Entrance Exams
- CUET and UG Entrance
- Judiciary Exams
- Regulatory Body Exams
- Software Development