Acid
A substance which dissolved in water produces a sharp, sour solution; capable of providing hydrogen ions (H+); common examples are lemon juice, vinegar and battery acid.
Acid Deposition (Acid Rain)
The transfer of acids or acid-forming substances from the atmosphere to the earth's surface.
Acid Deposition Research Program (ADRP)
A government/industry program, conducted from 1985 to 1988, to examine acid deposition in Alberta.
Acid Rain
Rain or snow contaminated by acids formed when air pollutants, especially sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), undergo chemical changes in the atmosphere.
Acidic, Acidifying
Acid-forming.
Acidification
A build-up of hydrogen ions above normal levels; the process of becoming acidic.
Acidity
A measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, often on a pH scale from 1 to 14 where 1 is very acidic, 14 is very basic (alkaline) and 7 is neutral.
Aerosol
A suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in a gas. Smoke and fog are aerosols.
Alkali
A substance that is soluble in water which neutralizes acid. Common examples are ammonia, lye and baking soda.
Alkaline
Containing an alkali.
Ambient Air
Outdoor air; all air that plants and animals breathe except the air inside buildings.
Atmosphere
The air surrounding the earth, consisting mainly of nitrogen (about 78 percent) and oxygen (about 20 percent). More than 75 percent of the total mass of the earth's atmosphere is within 10 kilometres of the earth's surface.
Biomass, Plant
Trees and other vegetation.
Bromine (Br)
A toxic, highly corrosive gas of the same chemical group as fluorine and chlorine.
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME)
A council of federal and provincial ministers of environment that coordinates Canada's environment policies.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
A colourless, odourless, non-toxic gas that is essential to plant and animal life and is considered the major greenhouse gas.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
A colourless, odourless, toxic gas formed when carbon burns with an insufficient supply of oxygen. Carbon monoxide is part of the exhaust gases of motor vehicles.
Chlorine (Cl2)
A greenish-yellow toxic, corrosive gas used in making drugs, dyes, explosives and plastics, and in bleaching and disinfecting.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Man-made chemical compounds containing chlorine, fluorine, and carbon, that are non-combustible.
Clean Air Strategy for Alberta
An initiative of the Alberta government which will give Albertans an opportunity to participate in discussions related to air quality problems resulting from energy production and use; and to participate in identifying options for action.
Climate Change
Upward or downward trends in average conditions or in the incidence of weather extremes.
Deforestation
The loss of forest, either by tree harvesting or clearing, or through disruption of the natural balance from changes in precipitation, drainage or nutrient supply.
Desertification
The growth of existing deserts or the development of new deserts or desert-like areas due to human impacts or climate change.
Dry Deposition
The transfer of acids and acid-forming substances to the earth's surface by all means that do not involve precipitation. This includes absorption, impaction, sedimentation, and chemical reaction.
Ecosystem
The interaction of organisms and their physical surroundings.
Fluorocarbons
Man-made chemical compounds containing fluorine and carbon.
Fossil Fuels
The remains or traces of prehistoric plants or animals formed in the geological past and removed from the earth in the form of oil, gas and coal.
Global Warming
Increase in the earth's lower atmosphere temperature, possibly the result of the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse Effect
The phenomenon that occurs when certain atmospheric gases trap radiated heat in the atmosphere.
Halons
Man-made chemical compounds that contain bromine or iodine.
Hydrocarbon (HC)
A compound containing hydrogen and carbon formed by the decomposition of plant and animal remains, including the several types of coal, mineral oil, petroleum, natural gas, paraffin, the fossil resins, and the solid bitumens occurring in rocks. Gasoline is a mixture of hydrocarbons.
Joule
The base unit of energy.
Long Range Transport of Atmospheric Pollutants (LRTAP)
A program of federal, provincial and territorial governments in western and northern Canada to research, monitor and manage acid deposition and other atmospheric pollutants.
Megatonne
One million metric tonnes.
Methane (CH4)
The most simple of the hydrocarbons; the major component of natural gas.
Montreal Protocol, The
An international protocol dealing with substances that deplete the earth's ozone layer. Adopted by over 40 countries September 16, 1987 in Montreal, it calls for a 50 percent reduction in chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons from the 1986 level by 1999. Canada is committed to an 85 percent reduction by the year 2000.
Nitrogen (N2)
A colourless, tasteless, gas that makes up about 78 percent of the earth's atmosphere.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Formed when nitrogen (N2) combines with oxygen (O2) in the burning of fossil fuels and from the natural degradation of vegetation, and from the use of chemical fertilizers. A significant component of acid deposition and photochemical smog.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
A colourless, slightly sweet-smelling, non-toxic gas which occurs naturally in the atmosphere. Man-made nitrous oxide is used as the anaesthetic commonly called "laughing gas".
Oxidation
Combining or reacting with oxygen.
Oxygen (O2)
A colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that forms 20 percent of the air and which is contained in water and most mineral and organic substances. It is essential to plant and animal life.
Ozone (O3)
A bluish, toxic gas, with a pungent odour, formed of three oxygen atoms rather than the usual two.
Petajoules
An energy measurement. Equals one thousand, million, million or 1015 joules.
pah
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon
pH
The measurement of the degree of acidity on a scale from 1 to 14, where 1 is very acidic, 7 is neutral and 14 is very alkaline.
ppmv
Parts per million by volume.
Sinks
Term to describe large areas of vegetation or ocean which absorb compounds such as carbon dioxide.
Smog
Air pollution, light brown colour, containing ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxides and other compounds.
Stratosphere
A layer of the earth's atmosphere, between 10 to 50 kilometres above the earth.
Sulphur (S)
A non-metallic element, yellow in colour, which occurs abundantly in nature. It is a product of sour gas processing and is used in the manufacture of explosives, matches, fertilizer and dyes; as a fungicide, and in medicine; and for vulcanizing rubber.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
A colourless gas with irritating odour, formed when sulphur burns in air. Dissolves in water to give sulphurous acid.
Sulphur Oxides (SOx)
Compounds of sulphur of oxygen - the two major ones being sulphur dioxide (SO2) and sulphur trioxide (SO3). They are significant contributors to acid deposition.
Sulphur Trioxide (SO3)
A colourless gas, formed when sulphur dioxide combines with oxygen in the air. It rapidly combines with water to produce sulphuric acid.
Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4)
A strong acid, which is a colourless liquid. When combined with water gives off heat. It is very corrosive and is used extensively in the dyestuffs and explosive industries and as a drying agent in chemical processes.
Sulphurous Acid (H2SO3)
A solution of sulphur dioxide in water.
Tonne
Metric ton, equals 1000 kilograms.
Toxic
Having, or tending to have, a harmful effect on the environment or man.
Troposphere
The lower part of the earth's atmosphere, the first 10 kilometres above the earth's surface.
Ultraviolet Radiation or Ultraviolet Light
Naturally present in sunlight but of a wavelength slightly shorter and thus invisible to the human eye. Its high energy levels cause sunburn.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs)
Hydrocarbon chemicals that evaporate easily and play a role in the creation of ground-level ozone.
Wet Deposition
The transfer of acids and acid-forming substances to the earth's surface by precipitation.
Further Information
Air quality issues - greenhouse gases, acid deposition (acid rain) and smog - cannot be addressed in isolation. Their complex inter-relationships make achieving the goal of clean air for the future a challenge for individuals, industry and governments alike. The Clean Air Strategy for Alberta is providing an opportunity for Albertans to participate in meeting that challenge.
To assist Albertans in participating in the Clean Air Strategy for Alberta, the Alberta government has prepared a series of fact sheets and a glossary. Their purpose is to help Albertans understand the magnitude of the environmental and economic considerations, the complexity of the science, the potential requirements for changes in lifestyle, and the challenges facing individuals, industry and government.
List of Fact Sheets
An Overview, Greenhouse Effect, Acid Deposition (Acid Rain), Ozone - Stratospheric and Ground-Level, Carbon Dioxide, Sulphur Oxides, Methane, Nitrogen Oxides, Volatile Organic Compounds, Chlorofluorocarbons and Halons, Energy Efficiency, Policy Instruments, Glossary, Renewable Energy
Clean Air Strategic Alliance, 9th Floor, Sterling Place, 9940 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5K 2N2, ph. 403/427-9793, fx. 403/422-3127, em: casa@incentre.net