The Ultimate Guide Of Classification Of Air Pollutants
There are millions of air pollutants present in the atmosphere. To fight against them we have to understand their nature first.
That's why the classification of air pollutants is necessary.
Each and every pollutant have some characteristics or nature. To reduce pollutant first we have to classify them according to different characteristics.
In this article we
classified air Pollutants on the basis of their origin state and
sources and
discuss about their types.
We also provided separated list of pollution generating particles and air Pollutants Sources in there each categorised section. In our classification of air pollutant.
Let's start
Classification of air pollutants
Presence of foreign harmful particle , gases and waste in air is known as air pollution.
These harmful particle, gases and waste are called pollutants.
Main reason behind the air pollution is the production of the air pollutants from various sources.
These pollutants are classified in various sections. This classification is based on various categories like based on their origin , based on their state and in last based on their source type.
They are mainly three types of air Pollutants
- Classification based on origin
- Classification based on state
- Classification based on source type
Classification based on origin
Basically there are two types of pollutants which are classified on the basis of their origin present in the atmosphere.
According to the origin air pollutants can be classified into
Primary pollutants
Primary pollutants are those pollutants which are are obtained or found in same origin or composition in which they are emitted from their particular source.
Their chemical composition will remain same as at the time of emission.
This type of pollutants do not react with any other compound or constituents present in the atmosphere.
It is not necessary that primary pollutants remain in same state in atmosphere, State in which they were emitted.
To understand let's take an example
Pollutant like sulphur oxide emitted in atmosphere through carbonaceous fuel vehicle.
Having chemical formula (SOx) When it reaches to atmosphere ,it pollutes the air and increase air pollution.
But do not react with any other constituents or pollutants present in the atmosphere.
That means they remain same as they were emitted. It conclude that sulphur oxide is example of primary pollutants.
Other examples
Secondary pollutants
Secondary pollutants are defined as pollutants which obtain or found in different origin or composition than which they are emitted from their particular sources.
Their chemical formula do not remains same as the time of emission.
This type of pollutants are formed by chemical interaction or reaction between primary pollutants and atmospheric constituents.
Difference between primary and secondary pollutants
It is not necessary that they will remain in same state in atmosphere in which they were emitted.
To understand this let's take an example
So when sulphur dioxide(SO2) emitted from motor vehicles.
After reaching in the atmosphere it react with water present in the air and form sulphur trioxide(SO3 ) which is also a pollutant.
Through this observation we can conclude that sulphur trioxide is secondary pollutant not sulphur dioxide, it is primary pollutant.
That means final product in this type of reaction and chemical interaction are secondary ones.
Another examples
Classification of pollutant based on state
Air pollutants are classified into two types on the basis state
- Particulate air pollutants
Gaseous pollutants
Gaseous pollutants include those harmful pollutant which are obtained in their gaseous state in atmosphere at normal temperature and pressure.
It is not necessary it has to be in gaseous state when they were emitted.
It is possible that they can be obtained from various sources.
For example
When Nitrogen oxide (NOx) are emitted in the atmosphere through various sources like power plants, industrial boilers and diesel generators.It is in the gaseous form.
And it is obtained in gaseous state in biosphere. That is the reason behind nitrogen oxide is example of gaseous pollutants.
Another examples are
Particulate air pollutants
All pollutants which are not obtained in their gaseous state in biosphere at normal temperature and pressure.
They are obtained in their particular state Known as particulate air pollutants.
It is not necessary that it has to be in gaseous state when they were emitted.
Similarly to gaseous pollutants , particulate pollutants is also possibly emitted through various sources.
Example
When sources of air pollution like mining and construction activities introduce dust and smoke in the atmosphere.
It remains in its particle form even in the air. So we can say that it is particulate air pollutants.
Some another examples
Air pollutants are classified on the basis their Sources
In three types
- Roasting and heating processes
In this type of classification , it is based on the source type of air pollution. Because air pollution is introduced in the air through different medium sources.
In this division we will discuss which sources is responsible for which particular pollutants.
Combustion
Combustion is not a modern day technique. Human's using combustion process in different ways for example running motor vehicles, plants and industrial boilers.
And combustion is also responsible for various harmful pollutants.
Examples
Combustion is also categorised into two sections
Stationery
Stationery responsible for harmful gases and particulates like NOx , CO and smoke fly ash and trace metals.
Stationary include various sources like power plants, industrial boilers, diesel generators, municipal or industrial incineration and reuse burning.
Mobile
Mobile responsible for CO, HC, NOx, SOx.
These harmful gases are very dangerous for human health that lead to various disease related to lungs and cardiovascular system.
Major mobile sources are motor vehicles and aircraft.
Food and agriculture
There are various number of pollutant produced during agriculture activity. Pollutants like vapour induced through this process.
Activities like drying , praying , weed control and fertilization is responsible for this
This is also categorised in three section
- Crop spraying and dusting
Food processing
Food processing introduced pollutants like vapour ,odour and dust.
Main sources of food processing pollutant is driving, preserving and packaging of food.
Crop spraying and dusting
Crop spraying and dusting is one of the major cause for natural air pollution. Introduces organic phosphate, organic lead and chlorinated( HC ).
Activity like pasting and weed control responsible for this.
Field burning
Free burning is a very ancient technique. It is used to make agriculture field ready for another crop.
After harvesting some portion of crop remain in the field rooted with in soil.
For convenience peasant burn the field to burn that remaining portion. It help them to make their agriculture field ready for another crop.
But during this due to the burning of crop harmful pollution is produced due to generation of smoke ,flash and shoot.
Roasting and heating process
Pollutants produced through this type of sources are
- Dust
- Smoke
- Sulphur
- Fluorides
- Organic particulates
Activities like roasting smelting of materials , handling, ore sintering and cold feeling are main reason behind it.
This is also categorised in three main sections
- Non-ferrous metallurgical
Non ferrous metallurgical
In which section we include pollution producing waste like dust smoke and metal fumes , ( Cu, Zn and On ) oxides.
They produce pollutant during mining of metal, roasting and molding of non-ferrous metal.
Ferrous metallurgical
This section includes pollution producing waste like.
Minerals particulates
Organic particulates
They also produce pollution during mining, cleaning ,roasting or smelting and moulding of ferrous metals.
Non metallic minerals
Pollutants produced during production of non-metallic mineral are non metallic mineral pollutants.
Activities like stone crushing cement glass the factories manufacture.
Conclusion
Through classification of air pollutants we categorise various air pollutants on the basis of their characteristics.
For the convenience we provide primary and secondary Pollutants examples for better understanding.
To win the war you have to first understand about your enemy.
Similarly if you want to fight against air pollution. You have to first understand the nature ,characteristics and types of air pollutants first.
If you have any query related to this topic ask in the comment section. Will definitely try to solve it.
If you read the article till now comment your experience in the comment section. Be it good or bad.
Because" you matter the most".
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