Question

In terms of global climate change, which types of pollution have more of an impact, ones with days of residence time in the atmosphere, or ones with years of residence time in the atmosphere? Which have more of an impact locally?

Answer 1

Pollutants with years of residence time in the atmosphere have a greater impact on global climate change, while pollutants with shorter residence times have a more immediate impact locally.

Step-by-step explanation:

In terms of global climate change, pollutants with years of residence time in the atmosphere have a greater impact than ones with days of residence time.

Pollutants with longer residence times, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), contribute to the greenhouse effect and trap heat in the atmosphere for extended periods. Examples of pollutants with longer residence times include CO2, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O).

However, locally, pollutants with shorter residence times can have a more immediate impact on air quality and human health.

For instance, pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vehicle emissions can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone and smog, which can cause respiratory issues and other health problems.