Acid deposition and Mercury deposition Project 

 Summary: One presentation that I found very interesting was Caroline, Ava, and Ty's presentation on Industrial Smog, also known as Gray Smog. This group presented on Wednesday, February 22 around 8:20 AM. Industrial Smog is created when smoke particulates and sulfur dioxide mix with fog. The primary chemicals involved with this process are sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter. The secondary pollutant involved is tropospheric ozone. Industrial fog is usually found in more urban areas, near large factories that burn fossil fuels. A solution that has helped to reduce Industrial Smog is the Clean Air Act. According to Caroline, Ava, and Ty's presentation, "It is a comprehensive Federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions. Some laws include restrictions on what chemicals a factory can release into the atmosphere, or when the factory can release them. To do this many factories use a piece of technology called a scrubber. Scrubbers convert or physically remove airborne pollutants before they are emitted from smokestacks." Industrial Smog also has negative effects on health. Short term, this smog irritates airways when inhaled, it also burns the eyes and can cause you to "cough and wheeze". Long-term, industrial smog exposure can cause serious lung or heart diseases. 

On Tuesday, February 21 around 10 AM, Bea, Ryan, Delaney, and Augie presented on Photochemical smog, so it was very interesting to learn the difference between these two types of smog. One of the major differences is the primary pollutants apart of Industrial Smog: particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. The particulate matter is what makes Industrial Smog more of a Gray color than the Brown color that Photochemical Smog holds. In addition, Industrial Smog's secondary pollutant is tropospheric ozone, this pollutant is Photochemical Smog's primary pollutant. Another difference identified between these two types of smog is the climate each typically occurs in. Industrial Smog typically develops in cooler and more humid environments, whereas Photochemical Smog usually occurs in warmer conditions (mainly in the summer).  

Reflection: I found it very interesting to learn about these two types of air pollution. I didn't know much about smog and how it occurs prior to these presentations, so I was surprised to hear that there are two types of smog that can contaminate the air! I think that it is important that we studied this unit on air pollution because there are ways that we as individuals can help to reduce air pollution. Some of these solutions involve staying away from gas-powered machines, carpooling, and even if possible shifting to electric cars. Air pollution is extremely harmful and damaging to our planet which is quite literally one of a kind! As residents of this planet, we all need to do our jobs to keep our air clean and the first step of this is being educated on air pollution events and where they stem from!