Tag: chemical pollution

  • Fine Particulate Matter

    Fine Particulate Matter Fine particulate matter are microscopic particles suspended in the air, known as aerosols. PM10 includes particles smaller than 10 micrometers, and PM2.5 refers to those under 2.5 micrometers. These particles originate from human activities (e.g., industry, transport, agriculture) and natural sources (e.g., wildfires, volcanic eruptions) or form through chemical reactions in the…

  • Volatile Organic Compounds

    Volatile Organic Compounds Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that easily vaporize into the air at room temperature, contributing significantly to air pollution. VOCs include such compounds as methane, benzene, xylene, propane and butane. VOCs are emitted by various sources, including industrial processes, transportation, and agriculture (ruminants and cultivation). They play a major role…

  • Sulfur oxides

    Sulfur oxides Sulfur oxides (SOx), primarily sulfur dioxide (SO₂), are gases produced mainly by burning fossil fuels and certain industrial processes. They contribute to air pollution, acid rain, and respiratory issues when released into the atmosphere and can react with water vapor to form sulfuric acid, damaging ecosystems and infrastructure.

  • Planetary Boundaries

    Planetary Boundaries Planetary boundaries represent a synthetic conceptual framework that identifies nine key Earth system processes that operate on a planetary scale. These processes include climate change, ozone depletion, atmospheric aerosol loading, ocean acidification, global freshwater use, chemical pollution, earth system change, biological diversity and biogeochemistry. The aim of planetary limits is to define a…