Apes Air Quality Vocab

4. Layer: A region in the stratosphere with high ozone concentrations that absorbs UV radiation.
6. Depletion (Stratospheric): The thinning of the ozone layer caused by chemicals like CFCs.
10. The layer of the atmosphere above the troposphere.
12. Smog (Brown-Air Smog): Smog formed by sunlight reacting with pollutants like vehicle emissions.
13. Pollutants: Pollutants formed when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.
14. The layers of gases surrounding Earth.
15. Organic Compounds (VOCs): Organic chemicals that easily become vapors, contributing to air pollution.
16. The short-term state of the atmosphere, including temperature, precipitation, and wind.
19. Acid: An acid formed when sulfur dioxide reacts with water in the atmosphere.
21. Inversion: A weather condition where warm air traps cooler air below, concentrating pollution.
23. A radioactive gas that seeps from the ground and can cause lung cancer.

1. Particulate Matter (SPM): Small solid or liquid particles suspended in the air.
2. Pollutants: Pollutants emitted directly from a source.
3. Nitrates (PANs): Toxic chemicals in photochemical smog that affect plants and human health.
5. Acid: A compound formed from nitrogen oxides and water, contributing to acid rain.
7. The lowest layer of the atmosphere, where weather occurs.
8. Air Pollution: Pollution found inside buildings, from sources like chemicals or poor ventilation.
9. The long-term average of weather patterns in a region.
10. Dioxide: A gas released from burning fossil fuels, contributing to acid rain.
11. Trading (Cap and Trade): A system allowing companies to trade permits for pollution emissions.
17. Pollution: The presence of harmful substances in the air.
18. Air Act: U.S. legislation aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting air quality.
20. Smog (Gray-Air Smog): Air pollution from burning coal, containing soot and sulfur compounds.
22. Deposition (Dry vs. Wet): Acidic particles or gases (dry) or acidic rain/snow (wet) falling to the ground.