NATURAL CLEANING PROCESS

OF THE ATMOSPHERE
OBJECTIVES
 What are the methods involved in the cleansing
of the atmosphere?

 Learn about deposition velocity and factors

affecting it.

 What are the cleansing processes involved with

various contaminants?

 What are the major sinks for common air

contaminants?
NATURAL CLEANSING PROCESS

 Nature regularly transforms oxygen into ozone through

forces such as lightning and ultra-violet light striking the
earth.

 Ozone breaks down the pollutants and reverts back to

oxygen at ground level.
RESIDENCE TIME FOR AIR
CONTAMINANTS
 The time for which an air contaminant stays in
atmosphere is known as the residence time.
Type Contaminants Approximate Residence Time

Major species N2 106 yr

O2 10 yr

Tracer species CO2 15 yr

CH4 10 yr
H2 10 yr
N2O 150 yr
CO 65 days
NH3 20 days
NO/NO2 1 day
O3(troposphere) < 1 yr
HNO3 1 day
CFC 11 65 yr

Sulfur Compounds SO2 40 days

COS > 0.3 * 105 hrs
CS2 > 1.8 * 105 hrs
CH3CH 3 - 13 hrs
(CH3)S 31 hrs
H2 S 53 hrs
DEPOSITION OF TOXIC AIR
POLLUTANTS
CLEANSING OF THE ATMOSPHERE
* Methods involved in the cleansing of the
atmosphere:
 Deposition of the pollutants, and
 Conversion of pollutants to other forms (oxidation,
absorption etc.)
 Deposition of contaminants on the earth surface:
 Dry deposition: Toxic air contaminants are deposited
to the land and water bodies by settling directly out of
the air.
Dry deposition rate = Deposition velocity * Pollution
concentration
 Wet deposition: Toxic air contaminants are deposited
to the land and water bodies through precipitation.
DEPOSITION FLUX
DEPOSITION VELOCITY
The deposition velocity generally increases with:
(a) solubility of pollutant
(b) particle diameter and density
(c) wetness and roughness of surface
(d) wind speed and turbulence

Typical values of deposition velocity under experimental conditions

CLEANSING PROCESSES OF SO2

The total world emissions are about 100 million tons/year. SO2 is
removed from the atmosphere in about 40 days. The two theories
for removal are mentioned below:

 1. SO2 + O2 > SO3 + H2O > H2 SO4 + NH3, Lime >

Ammonia Sulfate, Calcium Sulfate.

2. SO2 + NH3, directly calcite of lime > Sulfites oxidation > Sulfate
(Precipitate)
Ammonia sulfate is a good fertilizer.
CLEANSING PROCESSES OF H2S AND
NH3
Cleansing of H2S
The total world emissions is about 300 million tons/year.
Major sources are volcanoes and biological decay. There is
no evidence of accumulation.
 H2S Chemically React - PbO, FeO (metal oxides) > Insoluble metal

sulfides.
 In the laboratory odor can be removed by the addition of
a few tenths of nitrogen oxides, which act as a catalyst
to form H2SO4.

Cleansing of Ammonia
Ammonia is removed from the atmosphere by
reaction with acids or acid forming oxides.
CLEANSING PROCESSES OF
FLUORIDES AND CARBON MONOXIDE
Cleansing of Fluorides
Hydrogen fluoride and SiF4 (Silica Fluoride)
readily attack a variety of materials (carbonates,
silicates, and organic compounds), and are
readily removed from the atmosphere.

Cleansing of CO
Reaction with the hydroxyl radical.
Oxidized in the upper atmosphere by atomic oxygen to yield
CO2.
No evidence of accumulation.
CLEANSING PROCESSES OF CO2 AND
NOX
Cleansing of CO2
Consumption in photosynthesis.
Removed slowly > silicate
rocks > limestone and dolomite.
The concentration of CO2 began increasing in the
18th century. Data reported in literature indicate
that the increase has accelerated.

Cleansing of NOx
Nitric Acid formed reacts with ammonia or lime > Ammonia
nitrate or Calcium nitrate.
CLEANSING PROCESSES OF SMOKE AND
HYDROCARBONS
Cleansing of Smoke
Can be removed at source Smoke particles slowly settle
as a result of gravitational effects, agglomeration, or
rain.

Cleansing of Hydrocarbons
Reactive hydrocarbons are removed by a series of
photochemical reactions.
SINKS FOR AIR CONTAMINANTS
PLANTS
 Research has shown that these plants are the most effective all-around in
counteracting off-gassed chemicals and contributing to balanced internal
humidity.

 Areca Palm

 Australian Sword Fern

 Boston Fern

 Dwarf Date Palm

 English Ivy

 Ficus Alii

 Janet Craig Dracaena

 Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa)

 Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)*

 Reed Palm

 Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

 Weeping Fig

 Zamioculcas Zamifolia
POLLUTED SOIL
 Phytoremediation
 Using plants to clean up polluted soil
 Fast growing, easy to maintain, and capable of
transforming the pollutants into a non-toxic
form.