A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

More Than Hot Air
Our atmosphere is a cauldron of ingredients, providing transportation to particles, a medium for chemical
reactions, and a recycling depot for inherent or human-derived components. Components include oxygen,
nitrogen, carbon, sulfur, water, aerosols, particulates, metals such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium,
copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, nickel, potassium, vanadium, and zinc and the chemically
inert gases including argon, helium, and neon. When these constituents are either disproportionately increased,
or compounded (e.g., oxides of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur) their participation in the airshed is significantly
modified.
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OXYGEN About 1/5 of all molecules in the atmosphere are oxygen (O 2). It is an active participant in
biological and chemical processes. Oxygen is added to the atmosphere during photosynthesis by plants. It is
removed by oxygen breathing organisms, by solution in the oceans, by reaction with rocks during weathering,
and by combustion.
OZONE A natural and valuable constituent in the upper atmosphere, ozone presents a significant
environmental problem when near the ground, contributing to smog creation. In the upper atmosphere
(stratosphere) it absorbs potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation, protecting biological activities on earth. Health
risks associated with ultraviolet radiation exposure include an increase in skin cancer frequency.
Ground level ozone is formed when sunlight reacts with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. These are emitted
primarily from motor vehicles, but also power plants, chemical plants, dry cleaners, and paint shops. Ozone
reaches its highest concentration during hot summer months when heat and sunlight are most intense. Thus from
morning to mid-to-late afternoon, April through September, ozone presents a serious concern for New Jerseyans.
Weather and pollution emission patterns determine which parts of New Jersey will have high ozone
concentrations. Northeastern New Jersey generally has the highest levels in the state. Ozone serves well to
demonstrate regional impacts. Precursor pollutants are emitted to the south and west of us and follow wind
currents. This transportation corridor extends from Washington, D.C. to Maine. Emissions generated in New
Jersey are in turn converted to ozone in the north.
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NITROGEN Over 3/4 of the molecules in the atmosphere are nitrogen. While biological action accounts
for 90% of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2)contribution to the atmosphere, human additions are significant by way of
sheer concentration, primarily in urban and industrialized areas. Autos, trucks and airplanes consuming fossil
fuels, are responsible for 55% of NO 2 production. Forty percent of nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions come from
stationary sources including industrial boilers, electric generating facilities, asphalt plants and drying ovens used
in manufacturing processes. The remaining 5% of NOX emissions comes from mobile sources such as
construction, landscaping equipment and diesel trains.
Nitrogen oxide, working with strong sunlight, contributes to form both ozone and smog. Nitrogen oxides also
react with water vapor forming acid rain and nitric acid which are both irritants and corrosives.
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A Natural Resource Management Guide
for the County of Morris 204