An Analysis Of Atmospheric Particulates At Prairie View, Texas

Author

Luewilda S. Rideau, Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical College

Date of Award

8-1971

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Discipline

Biology

Abstract

Within the last decade, air pollution has become a serious problem. The increased concentration of many pollutants in the atmosphere presents a threat to the very existence of living things. Air pollution is, for the most part, a phenomenon of urban living that occurs when the capacity of the air to dilute is overburdened. An increase in population, industrial growth, and a high degree of dependence on the motor vehicle caused new gaseous and particulate emissions to complement, interact with, and further complicate the traditional ones (Train, et.. al. , 1970). Air pollution can occur in the form of gases, solid particulates or liquid aerosols. These forms can exist either separately or in combinations. Gaseous pollutants constitute about 90 percent of the total mass emitted to the atmosphere, and particulates and liquid aerosols make up the other 10 percent (Morgan, et. al. , 1970).

Gaseous pollutants are evolved primarily from the combustion of fuels and refuse. In the case of sulfur oxides, the burning of high-sulfur fuels in stationary sources is the primary source. Motor vehicles account for most of the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions which result from the incomplete combustion of the fuel used (Wolman, 1968).

The term particulate matter is a general one and includes numerous pollutants. Particulates are emitted by a diverse group of sources and vary over a wide range of sizes, shapes, densities, and chemical composition. Combustion of fuels, incineration of waste material, and industrial losses are responsible for the major share of particulate matter (Train, et. al., 1970). Abrasions and wear of material plus reentrainment resulting from vehicle traffic and wind action make a small contribution to the total burden. Particulates are a significant problem because of their widely varying economic and biological effects (Morgan, et. al., 1970). According to data from the National Air Surveillance Network (Middleton, et. a.l., 1970) , a definite relationship was shown concerning population, industrialization, and atmospheric particulate concentration. Particulate air pollution is both source and location-dependent as well as a function of meteorological factors.

Committee Chair/Advisor

J. E. Berry

Publisher

Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College

Rights

© 2021 Prairie View A & M University

Date of Digitization

04/21/2022

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Rideau, L. S. (1971). An Analysis Of Atmospheric Particulates At Prairie View, Texas. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-theses/1509