Answer: Heavy winter smog is a significant problem in Siberian cities due to several underlying reasons. They are as follows:
- Siberia gets unusually low winter temperatures that frequently go considerably below freezing. Because it is generally stable, the cold air often creates a temperature inversion, a lid of warm air that traps pollution at the surface. This inversion stops pollutants from dispersing, which causes smog to build up in the lower atmosphere.
- Residential Heating: For residential heating, many Siberian cities mainly rely on coal and wood, particularly in older structures and remote areas. When burned, these solid fuels produce significant volumes of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and other pollutants. Therefore, combustion emissions aid in the development of smog.
- Industrial Emissions: In Siberian cities, industrial operations including mines, factories, and power plants can discharge a lot of pollutants into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other pollutants that contribute to the production of smog are among the emissions. Industrial emissions are a bigger issue in the winter when the pollution is worsened by the weather.
- Vehicle emissions: Driving, particularly in older vehicles with less efficient engines, is another factor in the wintertime haze in Siberian cities. Engine performance might be hampered by cold weather, and pollution control systems can function less effectively. Vehicles generate more pollutants as a result, worsening the smog issue. These pollutants include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.
- Geographically, certain Siberian cities are located in basins or valleys surrounded by mountains, which might make the smog issue worse. These physical characteristics can restrict airflow and keep pollutants from dispersing, which can cause smog to build up in the valleys and basins.
The production and duration of significant winter smog in Siberian towns are influenced by a number of factors, including steady weather patterns, high reliance on solid fuels for heating, industrial pollutants, automobile emissions, and topographical characteristics. In addition to endangering the population's health, the haze has a negative impact on the surrounding area and visibility. It is necessary to make efforts to reduce emissions from transportation, industry, and domestic heating, as well as to apply the proper air quality standards and promote cleaner energy sources, in order to address these challenges.