Which of the following is not an Air Pollutant?
Nitrogen
Understanding Air Pollutants
An air pollutant is generally defined as any substance in the air that can harm humans, animals, vegetation, or materials. These substances can be natural (like volcanic ash) or artificial (from human activities like burning fossil fuels). The question asks us to identify which option is typically *not* considered an air pollutant.Analyzing the Options for Air Pollutants
Let's examine each option provided:- Sulphur oxide: Compounds like sulphur dioxide (\(\text{SO}_2\)) and sulphur trioxide (\(\text{SO}_3\)), often collectively referred to as \(\text{SO}_x\), are major air pollutants. They are primarily produced from burning fossil fuels containing sulphur and are significant contributors to acid rain and respiratory problems.
- Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide (\(\text{CO}\)) is a toxic gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. It is a common air pollutant, especially in urban areas with heavy traffic. \(\text{CO}\) is harmful because it reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
- Nitrogen: Elemental nitrogen (\(\text{N}_2\)) is the most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up about 78% of dry air. It is a very stable and inert gas and is not considered an air pollutant. While nitrogen *compounds* like nitrogen oxides (\(\text{NO}_x\)) are major air pollutants produced during high-temperature combustion, the nitrogen gas (\(\text{N}_2\)) itself is not.
- Ammonia: Ammonia (\(\text{NH}_3\)) is a pungent gas that can act as an air pollutant. It is released from agricultural activities (like livestock waste and fertilizers) and industrial processes. \(\text{NH}_3\) can contribute to the formation of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere and also causes odour issues.
| Substance | Chemical Formula | Status as Air Pollutant | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphur oxide | \(\text{SO}_x\) (\(\text{SO}_2\), \(\text{SO}_3\)) | Yes | Contributes to acid rain, respiratory issues. |
| Carbon monoxide | \(\text{CO}\) | Yes | Toxic gas, reduces oxygen transport in blood. |
| Nitrogen | \(\text{N}_2\) | No | Natural, inert, major component of air. |
| Ammonia | \(\text{NH}_3\) | Yes | Contributes to particulate matter, acidification, odour. |
Therefore, Nitrogen is the substance among the options that is not considered an air pollutant.
Revision Table: Key Air Pollutants
| Pollutant Type | Examples | Primary Sources | Potential Health/Environmental Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphur Oxides | \(\text{SO}_2\), \(\text{SO}_3\) | Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil) | Acid rain, respiratory problems, damage to vegetation and materials. |
| Nitrogen Oxides | \(\text{NO}\), \(\text{NO}_2\) (\(\text{NO}_x\)) | Combustion processes (vehicles, power plants) | Smog formation, acid rain, respiratory issues. |
| Carbon Monoxide | \(\text{CO}\) | Incomplete combustion (vehicles, furnaces) | Reduces oxygen delivery to organs, can cause dizziness, unconsciousness, death. |
| Particulate Matter | PM2.5, PM10 | Combustion, dust, industrial processes, agriculture | Respiratory and cardiovascular problems, reduced visibility. |
| Ozone | \(\text{O}_3\) (ground-level) | Reaction of \(\text{NO}_x\) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in sunlight | Respiratory problems, damage to plants. |
| Ammonia | \(\text{NH}_3\) | Agriculture, industrial processes | Contributes to particulate matter, acidification, odour. |
Additional Information on Atmospheric Composition and Pollutants
The Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (\(\text{N}_2\)) at about 78% and oxygen (\(\text{O}_2\)) at about 21%. The remaining 1% includes trace gases like argon, carbon dioxide (\(\text{CO}_2\)), neon, helium, methane, and others. While \(\text{N}_2\) is harmless, nitrogen compounds can be harmful. For instance, nitrous oxide (\(\text{N}_2\text{O}\)), a different compound of nitrogen and oxygen, is a greenhouse gas. Nitrogen oxides (\(\text{NO}_x\)) are key pollutants involved in smog formation and acid rain. Similarly, oxygen (\(\text{O}_2\)) is essential for life, but ground-level ozone (\(\text{O}_3\)), a form of oxygen, is a significant air pollutant that harms respiratory systems. Pollutants are substances that are present in the air at concentrations high enough to cause harm. This contrasts with the natural components of air like \(\text{N}_2\) and \(\text{O}_2\) which are essential and harmless in their normal atmospheric concentrations.Important Questions from Human Geography : Nature and Scope
Direction (Q46. to Q50.) Read the given passage carefully and answer following five questions:
India has 640,867 villages according to the Census 2011 out of which 597,608 (93.2 per cent) are inhabited villages. However, the distribution of rural population is not uniform throughout the country. You might have noted that the states, like Bihar and Sikkim have very high percentage of rural population. The states of Goa and Maharashtra have only little over half of their total population residing in villages. The Union Territories, on the other hand, have smaller proportion of rural population, except Dadra and Nagar Haveli (53.38 per cent).
The size of villages also varies considerably. It is less than 200 persons in the hill states of north-eastern India, Western Rajasthan and Rann of Kachchh and as high as 17 thousand persons in the states of Kerala and in parts of Maharashtra. A thorough examination of the pattern of distribution of rural population of India reveals that both at intra-State and inter-State levels, the relative degree of urbanization and extent of rural-urban migration regulate the concentration of rural population.
You have noted that contrary to rural population, the proportion of urban population (31.16 per cent) in India is quite low but it is showing a much faster rate of growth over the decades. The growth rate of urban population has accelerated due to enhanced economic development and improvement in health and hygienic conditions. The distribution of urban population too, as in the case of total population, has a wide variation throughout the country.
Which one of these states have high percentage of rural population according to Census 2011?
Arrange the following cities present on Trans-Canadian Railways Route from East to West direction.
A. Sydney
B. Ottawa
C. Montreal
D. Quebec
E. Halifax
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Make a correct sequence of age-sex Pyramids in ascending order in relation to the development:
A. Declining Populations
B. Ageing Populations
C. Expanding Populations
D. Constant Populations
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which of the following geographers described the ‘state/country’ as a ‘living organism’?
“Geography is the study of human beings and environment where nature is supreme that dictates the lifestyle of human beings.” Identify the geographical approach referred to in this statement from the following.
