Atmospheric pollution consists in the presence of substances or matter, mainly particles and gases, which cause alterations, dangers or environmental damage. It is, above all, to the action of man, thus, processes such as mining extraction, the use of pesticides, the burning of fuels, industrialization and deforestation, are sources of pollutants that are emitted directly to the atmosphere.
These pollutants are called primary pollutants and, depending on the processes that take place in the atmosphere, such as their dispersion, transport or reaction with other gases and particles can lead to Secondary pollutants. Do you want to know more? In ecology, we tell you What is secondary pollution, types and examples.
What is secondary pollution and difference with primary pollution
On the one hand, we know that primary pollution is the intrusion of substances or elements in a medium, capable of producing harmful changes and modifications for the same or its environment. On the other hand, the Secondary pollutantsare those that are not directly issued, but are formed from the reaction or combination of primary pollutants.
Uniting these two concepts, we can determine that, the Secondary pollution It consists, therefore, in the harmful or dangerous modification or alteration for the medium produced from secondary pollutants. To understand this idea well, it will be necessary, to go to some examples.
Examples of secondary pollutants
Next, we talk about the main secondary pollutants with examples:
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
This secondary pollutant is formed from the water vapor contained in the atmosphere and gases that contain sulfur as:
- Hydrogen sulfide (SH2): It is a contaminant of natural origin, produced by the rot of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, although it can also occur artificially, as occurs in the paper industry and refinery.
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3): Sometimes, these gases are produced from hydrogen sulphide, although their origin is mainly industrial. These elements can be irritating and produce damage to the eyes and alterations in the airways.
Methane (CH4)
It originates from decomposition organic matter, which can be found in landfills, or in agricultural and livestock activities. On the other hand, it also originates from the transit of vehicles, in oil refineries or in processes that use solvents. This gas is characterized by its bad smell and because it is very flammable, in addition to promoting the greenhouse effect.
Ozone (O3)
Ozone exists in a natural way, however, it can also be produced artificially by the reaction of nitrogen oxides emitted to the atmosphere by heating systems and ultraviolet radiation. The result is ozone -free radicals that have both toxic and harmful effects.
Types and effects of secondary pollution
According to him Origin, composition and types of pollutants We can find different Types of Secondary Pollution:
Photochemical pollution
This type of contamination occurs from the reaction of atmospheric oxygen, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide and ultraviolet radiation of the sun. These elements added to weather conditions of weak winds that hinder the dispersion of pollutants and favor their reaction give rise to the so -called photochemical contamination or photochemical Smog.
This type of pollution takes place in large cities in industrialized countries and has negative effects for the environment and human beings, being in turn, promoter of other types of pollution, which we will see below.
Medium acidification
Also known as acid rain. It occurs due to the presence of polluting gases such as sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which are transported by rain and can reach the ground, affecting and affecting the entire earth’s surface. Some of the damage it produces acid rain They are, the acidification of terrestrial waters, with the consequent damage to aquatic fauna, important damage to vegetation, due to nutrient deficiency and the acidification of the substrate, the deterioration of the surface of some materials, both natural and artificial.
Destruction of the ozone layer
Pollutants and the emission of different components to the atmosphere can cause the decomposition of ozone, through its reaction or by the absorption of ultraviolet rays. The main consequence of the destruction of the ozone layer is the greenhouse effect, which entails multiple consequences, such as the increase in the temperature of the land globe, the destruction of the poles, the climatic and meteorological alterations in different areas of the earth, the impact of these changes in the habitat of different species, the loss of biodiversity and a long etc.
What are primary pollutants
Now that all information about secondary pollution has been well explained, to expand knowledge about the big world problem, we want to end up talking about primary pollution.
Let us remember that Primary are emitted to the environmentwhile secondary ones are produced or generated in this. These are the main primary pollutants:
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Sulfur oxide (Sox)
- Lead (PB)
- Radioactive waste
- Chlorofluorocarbonates (CFC)
If you want to read more articles similar to Secondary pollution: What is, types and exampleswe recommend that you enter our pollution category.
