How will you analyse your data? (Compare different methods of analysis)
Read everything and then Answer the last question D. How will you analyse your data? (Compare different methods of analysis)
A. What is air pollution?
Air pollution refers to the type of environmental pollution which involves the contamination of atmosphere through smoke, gases, and solid particulates. Air pollution occurs due to introduction of gaseous or minute particulates to the atmosphere which have poisonous effect.
B. How do dirty fuels cause air pollution and what pollutants would be of Interest to you?
Dirty fuels are referred so because these fuels become a reason for pollution in the air or atmosphere. Dirty fuels include mostly fossil fuels which are used on a regular basis for various anthropogenic activities like energy needs, domestic cooking, vehicular fuel, etc. However, when being used for the mentioned purposes, the process involves combustion of various fossil fuels through various methods. This combustion leads to generation of greenhouse and other toxic gases as byproducts. As a result, the concentration of greenhouse gases increases in the atmosphere and leads to climatic changes. When the toxic substances increase, the quality of air goes down. As we breathe in air from the atmosphere, ingestion of toxic substances causes direct and indirect health problems.
In case of pollution by fossil fuels, the pollutants that would be of parametric importance include the products of combustion of fossil fuels.
- Carbon Monoxide- it is a clear and odourless gas which pollutes the environment by being part of a smoke or exhaust fumes. As we breathe the air with higher concentration of carbon monoxide, the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is reduced.
- Nitrogen Oxides- when Nitrogen Dioxide concentration increases in the atmosphere, inhaling it while respiration leads to inflammation of the airways in the body. Other forms of nitrogen oxides are responsible for smog and ozone depletion.
- Sulphur Oxides- sulphur oxides have a higher chance of reacting with water to form sulphuric acid. Thus, sulphur oxides, when present as pollutants in the atmosphere react with rain water to form acid rain. Acid rain is not only harmful for humans but also all living forms.
- Methane- methane is a greenhouse gas. Increased concentration of methane in the atmosphere has the potential to trap in more heat and lead towards global warming. Also, methane releases to the atmosphere by oxidising, i.e., by releasing carbon dioxide and water vapour as byproducts, which are, in turn, potent greenhouse gases. Thus, methane contributes to global warming on a two-fold level.
- Carbon Dioxide- Carbon Dioxide is a potential greenhouse gas which enhances the effect of global warming and is a leading cause towards climate change.
C. What monitoring equipment would you use to monitor air pollution and discuss the reasons for the selection of your equipment (compare different types of equipment).
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Passive Monitoring
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Active (Semi-automatic) monitoring |
Automatic point monitoring
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Photochemical and Optical Sensor Systems |
Remote Optical/Long-path Monitoring |
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Diffusion tubes are used to absorb particulate matter from ambient air.
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The ambient air is pulled by the analyser and passes through a filter for a set period of time.
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The ambient air is pulled by an analyser which calculates the concentration of each particle of component of the absorbed air.
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The air quality is measured by an analyser by checking on the concentration of the gases and PM.
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Detects pollution between a light source and the detector which is placed at a distance far away from the source.
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No power supply is needed.
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Requires power supply.
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Requires power supply.
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Requires power supply.
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Requires power supply.
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The tubes are to be sent to laboratory for analysing the amount or extent of pollution captured in the tube.
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Sent to laboratory for analysis of the extent of the pollution.
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No need to send to laboratory. It gives the values online on a computer and is hence useful for online predictions.
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No need to send to laboratory as data can be downloaded and viewed on the computer.
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No need to send to laboratory as data can be viewed on real time computer.
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Non-portable
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Non-portable
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Non-portable
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Portable
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Non-Portable
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Moderate sensitivity
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Moderate sensitivity
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High sensitivity
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Low sensitivity
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lower-moderate sensitivity
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Air pollution is the contamination of the air through pollutants constituting gases and solid particulate matter.
Dirty fuels, or fossil fuels as a result of exhaust or combustion produce various pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur oxides, that react in the atmosphere in various ways to produce harmful and toxic effects.
Monitoring equipment that would fit the economic and efficiency purposes considering a larger area of inspection would be Automatic Point Monitoring method.
D. How will you analyse your data? (Compare different methods of analysis)
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