Classical Smog vs Photochemical Smog
| London smog or Classical smog | Los Angeles smog or Photochemical smog |
|---|---|
| It is reducing* in character. Chemically it is reducing mixture and hence is called reducing smog. | It is oxidizing* in character. It has high concentration of oxidizing agents hence it is known as oxidizing smog. |
What is the difference between London and Los Angeles smog?
Sulfurous smog, also known as “London smog,” is caused by a high concentration of sulphur oxides in the air, which is caused by the use of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, particularly coal. Photochemical smog, also known as “Los Angeles smog,” is most prevalent in urban areas with a high concentration of automobiles.
What are the 2 types of smog?
At least two distinct types of smog are recognized: sulfurous smog and photochemical smog. Sulfurous smog, which is also called “London smog,” results from a high concentration of sulfur oxides in the air and is caused by the use of sulfur-bearing fossil fuels, particularly coal.
What is Los Angeles type smog?
Photochemical smog (Los Angeles smog)
It forms mainly in the summer months when temperatures reach high levels. Los Angeles smog consists mainly of carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. Contrary to sulfurous smog, photochemical smog originates from exhaust fumes and industrial emissions.
What is London smog called?
sulphurous smog
London had experienced these types of smog before. They were called “pea-soupers” due to their yellowish-brown appearance. Today, pea-soupers are known as sulphurous smog or “London smog”. These result from a high concentration of sulphur oxides (SOx) in the atmosphere from fossil fuels high in sulphur, such as coal.
What does LA smog smell like?
Furthermore, as chemical instruments tycoon Arnold Beckman pointed out, smog in those places had a sulfurous smell (like a match) and appeared yellow or black. Los Angeles smog turned the air brown and smelled of bleach instead. But if this wasn’t classic coal smog, what was it?
Why Los Angeles smog is called so?
Photochemical smog: This type of smog was observed in Los Angeles(1940s) and hence named as Los Angeles smog. It is formed when the air contains NO 2 and hydrocarbons and the mixture is exposed to sunlight. As the reaction take place in the presence of light to form the smog, it is called photochemical smog.
What is the most common type of smog?
photochemical smog
Smog was common in industrial areas, and remains a familiar sight in some cities today. Today, most of the smog we see is photochemical smog. Photochemical smog is produced when sunlight reacts with nitrogen oxides and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere.
What are 3 sources of smog?
Types of Sources
stationary sources – such as power plants, oil refineries, industrial facilities, and factories. area sources – such as agricultural areas, cities, and wood burning fireplaces. natural sources – such as wind-blown dust, wildfires, and volcanoes.
What are 2 main causes of smog?
The main causes of smog
Smog is formed by mixing air with pollutants and exhaust gases resulting from human activities. The factors which are responsible for this include factories, an increasing number of cars, burning coal, wood and other solid fuels in stoves.
What Color Is LA smog?
yellow-brown
The origin of the yellow-brown coloration of the Los Angeles smog layer was investigated theoretically by solving the radiation transfer equation for an optically thin (in vertical direction) scattering and absorbing haze layer.
What causes LA smog?
Car exhaust has two main components: hydrocarbons, from the gasoline, and nitrogen oxides, which are formed inside hot, internal combustion engines. Both are harmful in and of themselves, but when they float into the sunny, Southern California air, the sunlight bakes them into a new chemical: ozone, also known as smog.
Is LA smog from China?
Though scientists are concerned by the impact of China’s emissions on global air pollution, most of LA’s smog is still the result of local emissions from vehicles and industry.
Why is London called fog?
Through the 19th and in the early half of the 20th century, Londoners used coal for heating their homes, which produced large amounts of smoke. In combination with climatic conditions this often caused a characteristic smog, and London became known for its typical “London Fog”, also known as “Pea Soupers”.
What caused smog in London?
Great Smog of London, lethal smog that covered the city of London for five days (December 5–9) in 1952, caused by a combination of industrial pollution and high-pressure weather conditions. This combination of smoke and fog brought the city to a near standstill and resulted in thousands of deaths.
When did smog stop in London?
9 December 1952
On 9 December 1952 the Great Smog officially ended – for five days a thick layer of air pollution, mostly caused by coal fires, had covered London and caused the deaths of thousands of residents.
Which state has the best air quality?
Hawaii
Hawaii ranks first in the nation for air and water quality, as well as in the overall natural environment category. Massachusetts places second in this subcategory, followed by North Dakota, Virginia and Florida. Learn more about the Best States for air and water quality below.
When was the worst smog in LA?
In 1955, when modern ozone monitoring began, Southland residents suffered the highest ozone level ever recorded — 0.68 parts per million in downtown Los Angeles — nearly three times the highest level in 1996.
Why does LA water smell like rotten eggs?
Hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) can give water a “rotten egg” taste or odor. This gas can occur in wells anywhere and be: Naturally occurring – a result of decay and chemical reactions with soil and rocks. Produced by certain “sulfur bacteria” in the groundwater, well, or plumbing system.
Does LA have more smog than NYC?
According to IQAir, in 2021, Los Angeles was the city with the most pollution. Researchers measured aerosol particles that can harm human health, also known as PM 2.5 levels. L.A. reached 13.7 micrograms, more than twice the acceptable level.
How did LA get rid of smog?
The biggest victory against smog came in 1970. President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency, which led to air pollution regulations, and allowed California to make even stricter provisions within its state.