Air pollution consists of the presence of substances or matter, mainly particles and gases, which cause alterations, dangers or damage to the environment. It is due, above all, to the action of man, therefore, processes such as mining extraction, the use of pesticides, the burning of fuels, industrialization and deforestation, are sources of pollutants that are emitted directly into the atmosphere.
These pollutants are called primary pollutants and, depending on the processes that take place in the atmosphere, such as its dispersion, transport or reaction with other gases and particles can give rise to secondary pollutants. You want to know more? In Green Ecologist we tell you what is secondary pollution, types and examples.
What is secondary pollution and difference from primary pollution
On the one hand, we know that primary pollution is the intrusion of substances or elements into a medium, capable of producing changes and modifications that are harmful to it or its environment. On the other hand, secondary pollutants, are those that are not emitted directly, 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 modification or alteration that is harmful or dangerous for the environment 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 major minor pollutants with examples:
Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
This secondary pollutant is formed from water vapor contained in the atmosphere and gases that contain sulfur such as:
- Hydrogen sulfide (SH2): It is a pollutant of natural origin, produced by the putrefaction of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, although it can also be produced artificially, as occurs in the paper industry and the refinery.
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3): Sometimes these gases are produced from hydrogen sulfide, although their origin is mainly industrial. These elements can be irritating and lead to damage to the eyes and alterations to the respiratory tract.
Methane (CH4)
It originates from decomposing organic matter, which can be found in landfills, or in agricultural and livestock activities. On the other hand, it also originates in 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 highly 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 into the atmosphere by heating systems and ultraviolet radiation. The result is ozone free radicals that have both toxic and damaging 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 contamination
This type of pollution is produced from the reaction of atmospheric oxygen, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide and ultraviolet radiation from the sun. These elements, added to meteorological conditions of weak winds that make it difficult for the pollutants to disperse and favor their reaction, give rise to the so-called photochemical pollution or photochemical smog.
This type of pollution takes place in large cities of industrialized countries and has negative effects on the environment and human beings, being in turn, a driver of other types of pollution, which we will see below.
Acidification of the medium
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 impacting 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, significant damage to vegetation, due to nutrient deficiency and acidification of the substrate, the deterioration of the surface of some materials, both natural and artificial.
Ozone layer destruction
Pollutants and the emission of different components into the atmosphere can cause ozone decomposition, 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 has multiple consequences, such as an increase in the temperature of the globe, the destruction of the poles, climatic and meteorological changes in different areas of the earth, impact of these changes on the habitat of different species, the loss of biodiversity and a long etcetera.
What are the primary pollutants
Now that all the information on secondary pollution has been well explained, in order to expand the knowledge about the great global problem that exists, we want to end by talking about primary pollution.
Remember that the primary ones are emitted to the environment, while the children are produced or generated in this. These are the main primary pollutants:
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Sulfur oxide (SOx)
- Lead (Pb)
- Radioactive waste
- Chlorofluorocarbonates (CFCs)
If you want to read more articles similar to Secondary pollution: what is it, types and examples, we recommend that you enter our Pollution category.
