Pollutants Monitored at Museum Richmond Station - Assignment Example

STATION: RICHMOND (MUSEUM) (Student Name) (Course No.) (Lecturer) (University) (Date) Question 1: 1 (a) Richmond Science Museum resides in the midst of the ever-busy Melbourne City, specifically, the 3121 Victoria region. The city of Melbourne hosts a variety of societies ranging from industrialists, residential houses, business executives, rural, and urban settlements. The industrialists in Melbourne City possess both the heavy and light industrial sectors. In the middle of Duke Street and Lord Street, child care center sits the Richmond air monitoring station. As of the second day of October 2000, the station began operating as an RDAS site. As a result, data collection from pollutants such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) were established. However, the station does not monitor Hydrocarbons (HC) and the Ozone (O3) particles (EPA, 2014). 1 (b) Figure 1. Brief summary of pollutants monitored at Museum station 1 (c) Ozone: Ozone designates a secondary pollutant formed due to the atmospheric chemical reactions identified as photochemical smog. Under satisfactory conditions, ozone reacts actively and instantly to release oxygen and vice versa. The ozone effects can lead to both nose and eye irritation. For instance, the effect of ozone can lead to the watering of an individual’s nose and eyes. Additionally, ozone can weaken the sensing capability for human beings thus leading to lung related diseases (EPA, 2014). Sulphur Dioxide: the compound is a product of combusting fuel from the automobile engines. Scientific research have established that a short period exposure to SO2, for a time lasting between five minutes to twenty-four hours lead to an adverse respiratory complications that is characterized by bronchoconstriction and increased asthma attacks. The effect has been realized to be significant in people suffering from high rate of asthmatics (Ibid) Oxides of Nitrogen: This primary pollutant is released into the air by means of exhaust gasses. The gasses emanate from household equipment such as air conditioners, automobiles, and the surrounding industrial sectors. Conversion of the oxides can lead to the development of nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide that pose serious health risks and respiratory complications such as, asthma and bronchitis. The oxidization rates depend largely on the amount of ultra-violet radiation that has taken place. Airborne particle index: The particles are classified under primary pollutant, and they are generated from the combustion of coal, gas and liquid fuels from the industries and automobiles. The particulates are also known to be causing various diseases including lung cancer when the residue organic particulates react with other organic pollutants. Likewise, the airborne particle index can be classified under secondary pollutants, and are responsible for causing smog and haze. With regards to this classification, the API have been associated with the effect of enhancing and causing health complications such as asthma. Scientific research on the particle established that the particles can be divided according to size and gradation. The smaller particles, between 1-5 µm, are the one responsible are able to pass through the mucosa and cause asthma and pneumonia failure, while the mucus in the nose and mouth is trapping the larger particles (Ibid). 1 (d) The graph in figure one presents a level change of oxides of nitrogen, which was observed during the day. The evolution of nitrogen occurred during the first few hours of the day because of various chemical reactions taking place in the industries and lack of solar radiations evolution stable. When solar radiation is present, nitrogen oxide is converted to nitrogen dioxide. During the day, there is a minimal amount of sulphur dioxide that is produced from combusting fossil fuels. The ozone that is present during the noon hours is caused by the balance between NO and NO2. The availability of the ozone is caused by CFCs emissions that react with the surrounding compounds in the environment. Consequently, the airborne particulates shown in the graph, result from human actions during the day, with the highest concentration experience in the afternoon. According to the models provided by EPA, oxides of nitrogen present in the atmosphere are the cause of photochemical smog. From the graph, it is evident that the concentration of Nitric oxide is at optimum during the day. Therefore, free Nitrogen oxide ions present in the atmosphere during the day cause the smog that is visible in a particular day (EPA 2014). The chemical reaction is as shown below. NO2 + HO + M sunlight HNO3 + M NO2 NO + O O3 + NO NO2 + O According to the physics and chemistry of ozone (2014), the high concentration of nitrogen oxides, primarily Nitrogen dioxide and Nitric oxide indicate that there is minimal emission of nitrogen. However, the amount emitted depends on the degree of combustion caused by the automobiles. 1 (e) Daytime offers maximum amounts of oxides of nitrogen and, as a result, pollution levels best occur during such hours. Oxides of nitrogen such as Nitric Oxide (NO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emanate high levels of nitrogen oxide absorptions thus making the presented model suitable for the data at hand. Additionally, based on the fuel consumption of factories and motor vehicles, reduced nitrogen levels should be put into consideration. 1 (f) Pollutant Unit Concentration Time Of The Day Ozone pphm 12 3:00PM Nitrogen monoxide pphm 14 8:00AM Nitrogen dioxide pphm  11 1:00-3:00PM Nitrogen oxide pphm 18 9:00AM Particle pollution bsct 2 3:00PM Maximum level; 1hour Pollutant Unit Concentration Time Of The Day Ozone pphm 6 8:00-9:00PM Nitrogen monoxide pphm 7.875 1:00PM Nitrogen dioxide pphm  8.75 7:00-8:00PM Nitrogen oxide pphm 13.625 3:00-4:00PM Particle pollution bsct 1.2875 5:00PM Average maximum level; 8hrs The data is sourced from the EPA website presenting the smog model. According to the data, the summer smoke occurred when the ozone average one hour level was at 0.1 parts per million (ppm) in all the monitoring stations. According to the information gathered, the major pollutants involve in producing the smog were oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons emitted by the factories. Most importantly, the ozone and particulates are considered to be at an acceptable standard. Question 2 2 (a) Figure 2. summary of pollutants monitored at museum station 2 (b) Pollutant Unit The maximum 1 hour level The maximum 8-hour average Comments Carbon Monoxide ppm 0.61 0.562 Acceptable Particles PM10 Bsct 100.9 85.487 Detrimental Nitrogen dioxide pphm  31 21.875 Acceptable Visibility Reduction N/A 6.77 4.58 Detrimental Richmond Station on 12/02/2014 Monitored Pollutant Level. (EPA, 2014) According to the data collected from Richmond station on 12/02/2014, to monitor the pollutant level, the day is seen to be of major smog because the concentration level of common pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide are above the normal range. Nevertheless, the smoke haze from grassfire resulted to the low concentration of particles pollution PM10 (Abc, 2014) 2 (c) The graphical data presentation precisely fits the data description found in the EPA website. The website illustrates two distinct smog models, one representing the summer and the other representing the winter type. The two types differ based on the presence of atmospheric run-offs available at any given time. Due to certain disadvantages related to smog such as reduced visibility, several precautionary measures are underway to help deal with any disasters. Winter Smog The winter smog mainly comprises of fine particles acquired from sunlight disintegration that in turn lead to decreased visibility. Between the months of April to August, Melbourne experiences fine air particles due to the light calm winds that are characteristic of the season. The airborne particles spring from industrial emissions, native wood heaters motor vehicles, exposed fireplaces, burning of grass and burning of agricultural stubbles. The following characteristics describe the winter smog: firstly, dry air visibility gets below 20 kilometers as from 7 am to 7pm, primary pollutant concentration above standard levels, and lastly, small particles below 10mm in 1m3 of air are above 50mg/m3. Question 3: 3 (a) The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) denotes the organization fighting contamination across Australia. The organization ensures that the public has unrestricted access to information concerning the transmission and production of polluted components in the local environment. Due to some expected environmental concerns, the NPI platform works towards the enhancement and preservation of water and air quality, reduction of dangerous environmental wastes, and finally, improvement of sustainable resource usage. The NPI identified 93 elements classified as important since they possess negative impacts to the environment and to human health. The data was acquired from power stations, households, factories, and mines. Emissions are categorically determined and transferred accordingly. For instance, facility operators manage their own industrial wastes. Household wastes and automobile wastes fall under government territory (NPI, 2014). 3 (b) Victoria Reservoir 3073 represents the postcode of interest with an assessed number of 63 data elements from one facility source known as Visy paper 2. The diffused catchments in terms of the air shed emanate from Port Philip Bay and port Phillip region. A large percentage of the industry’s carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen emissions are from area 3073. On the other hand, the diffused emissions made up of voltaic organic compounds are chiefly released by vehicular traffic (NPI, 2014). Industry Data Number of facilities 1 Number of substances emitted 16 Number of substances transferred 0 Diffuse Data Number of airsheds 1 Number of substances emitted 63 Number of catchments 1 Number of substances emitted 2 3 (c) During combustion, vehicles burn fuels producing air pollutants such as benzene. Fuel combustion in factories, automobiles, and industrial ignitions emit a total load of 470,000 kg of benzene. The sources of benzene production depicted in the database are inclusive of architectural surface coating, motor vehicles, service stations, and burning of solid fuel (NPI,2004). Year Of The Report Benzene from All Sources/ Kg 2007/2008 780,000 2008/2009 660,000 2009/2010 600,000 2010/2011 670,000 2011/2012 610,000 Question 4: 4 (a) A good number of scientists hold minimal consideration towards human activities as a probable threat to the climate. The scientist’s hypotheses together with the IPCC’s assumption thrive on the belief that the existent temperature sources and various human activities do not depict global warming trends. In addition, the scientists state that global climate computer models do not hold the capacity to project impending climatic changes. The researchers also think that minimum occurrences of global warming would retain benefits to civilization and the natural world. A rapid effort to diminish human greenhouse gas emissions would not stop climate change but instead be a costly endeavor. While a large number of scientists retain that no technical data has been availed to show that future damage of the earth’s climate might occur, Climatologist show parallel disbelief (Skeptical Science, 2014). Temperature readings in the lower troposphere acquired via satellite feeds depict no temperature elevations for the last 23 years. Accuracy levels of 0.010C are proven by weather balloons. Nevertheless, heating trends from land-based temperature stations and rural to urban expansion partially cover the universe and are prone to human error (Climate change procon, 2014). With non-existent probabilistic data, global warming forecasts descend from computer-generated models. Future predictions undergo flux adjustments of up to 25 percent in order to replicate the global warming trigger of high carbon dioxide concentrations. During the medieval era, warm temperatures enabled the Vikings to settle in Greenland. The temperature during that period registered maximum levels that are yet to be experienced by the IPCC. As observed by consumer study alerts, the preceding years between 3000 – 5000 BC presented a warm climatic optimum time that led to initial practices of human civilization. The climatic change procon foretells that warm climates pose similar effects to the health and well-being of the current population trends that aim at advanced civilization tendencies. Resources Abc, News, 2014, Melbourne's air quality worst in five years following fires, viewed on 7th of May 2014, EPA, 2014, Richmond Air Monitoring Station, accessed on 29th of April, 2014, Source; http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/aq4kids/station_details.asp?SiteId=10117&SiteName=Richmond. EPA, 2014, Richmond Air Monitoring Station, Past Air Quality Data, accessed on 19th of April, 2014, source; EPA, 2014 air quality hourly update, accessed on 1st of May,2014. Source; http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/air/bulletins/aqbhour.asp?dT=2> NPI, 2014 Australian Government, accessed on 5th of May, 2014, source; < http://www.npi.gov.au/> The Physics and Chemistry of Ozone accessed on 31st of April 2014, http://www.fraqmd.org/OzoneChemistry.htm Climate Change, procon, 2014, Is Human Activity a Substantial Cause of Global Climate Change? accessed on 5th of May, 2014, < http://climatechange.procon.org/> Skeptical Science, 2014 Global Warming and Climate Change Myths, accessed on 4th May, Read More