(a) Define atmospheric condition. (b) List four major sources of air pollutants. (c) Highlight four effects of atmospheric pollution.

Answer Details

(a) Definition of atmospheric condition

Atmospheric condition refers to the physical state of the atmosphere of a place at a given time, described by the weather elements such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, pressure, cloud cover and the degree of purity or pollution of the air.

(b) Four major sources of air pollutants

1. Industrial activities/factories: smoke, soot and gases (\(\text{SO}_2\), \(\text{CO}_2\)) from manufacturing and processing plants.
2. Motor vehicles and other transport: exhaust fumes containing carbon monoxide, lead and hydrocarbons.
3. Bush burning and burning of fossil fuels: release of smoke, ash and carbon gases.
4. Gas flaring and oil operations: flares from oil fields (as in the Niger Delta) emit large volumes of gases and soot.

(Others: refuse/waste incineration, power stations, volcanic eruptions and dust.)

(c) Four effects of atmospheric pollution

1. Respiratory and other diseases: polluted air causes bronchitis, asthma, lung cancer and eye irritation.
2. Acid rain: sulphur and nitrogen oxides dissolve in rain, damaging crops, forests, buildings and water bodies.
3. Global warming and climate change: greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat, raising temperatures and disrupting rainfall.
4. Depletion of the ozone layer: gases such as CFCs thin the ozone shield, increasing harmful ultraviolet radiation.

(Also: reduced visibility/smog, poor plant growth and lower agricultural yields.)