The Origins and Environmental Implications of Pollutants in Car

Exhaust Gases

Francesca LewisAcid RainSmog masks

Photochemical smog

Origins

Many of the chemicals we

will look at

Environmental Implications

Many harmful effects including damage to

humans, materials and crops

A brown coloration that obscures the sky with a yellow haze that lowers the visibility. This drives away tourists from coming.

Unburnt hydrocarbons (CxHy)

From unburnt fuel

Careless workers

Diesel engines

Contributes to photochemical smog

Flammable substances in air

Cancer

Origin Environmental Implications

CxHy + (x + y/4) O2 xCO2 + (y/2) H2OCxHy + (2x + y/4) O2 xCO + (y/2) H2O

Carbon Monoxide CO(g)

From incomplete combustion

Cars and other vehicles

Contributes to smog

Death

Origin Environmental Implications

O2 + 2 C → 2 CO

H2O + C → H2 + CO

Complete Combustion

Particulates (C)

From incomplete combustion

Plants, factories and diesel engines

Smoke

Nausea, difficulty breathing, lung cancer and cardiovascular

illnesses

Reduce photosynthesis

Origin Environmental Implications

Carbon dioxide

Origins

From combustion of hydrocarbons in petrol

Environmental implications

Greenhouse effect

Nitrogen oxides NOx

Origins

• Lightning

• Combustion of nitrogen and oxygen in air when spark is passed in car engine

Environmental implications

• Toxic to humans, contributes to photochemical smog, acid rain, damage to ozone layer

N2 + O2 = 2NO2NO + O2 =2NO2

Sulfur oxides

Origins

• Combustion of Sulfur or Sulfur compounds in petrol

Environmental implications

• Toxic to humans

• Damages plants

• Acid rain

S + O2 SO2

2SO2 + O2 2SO3