Discuss the role of topography in air pollution
What will be the ideal response?
ANSWER: The shape of the landscape (topography) plays an important part in trapping pollutants. At night, cold air tends to drain downhill, where it settles into low-lying basins and valleys. The cold air can have several effects: It can strengthen a pre-existing surface inversion, and it can carry pollutants downhill from the surrounding hillsides. Valleys prone to pollution are those completely encased by mountains and hills. The surrounding mountains tend to block the prevailing wind. With light winds, and a shallow mixing layer, the poorly ventilated cold valley air can only slosh back and forth like a murky bowl of soup. Valleys susceptible to stagnant air exist in just about all mountainous regions. Air pollution concentrations in these valleys tend to be greatest during the colder months. During the warmer months, daytime heating can warm the sides of the valley to the point that upslope valley winds vent the pollutants upward, like a chimney.
You might also like to view...
Radiant energy emitted by our planet is
A. electromagnetic. B. terrestrial energy. C. the outcome of radioactivity in Earth's interior. D. all of the above
Building and farming on a flood plain decreases the land's ability to absorb flood waters.
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
Discuss the factors explaining the highly variable geography of women in Europe's workforce
What will be an ideal response?
The thickness of oceanic crust increases with age.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)