How does particulate matter enter the atmosphere?

Questions › Category: Pollution › How does particulate matter enter the atmosphere?

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Aayesha Gala asked 8 years ago

Question Tags: actonlcimate, air, airpollution, airquality, climatechange, expertscorner, globalwarming, greensutra, particulatematter, pm, pollution, smoke, soot

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Best Answer

Team GreenSutra® Staff answered 8 years ago

Particulate Matter can be organic and inorganic in nature. Some of these particles are:

Dust
Pollen
Soot
Smoke
Mineral Dust

The following are the two methods on how these particulate matter can enter the atmosphere:

Direct – Like when fuel is burnt and when dust is carried by wind, or
Indirect – Like when gaseous pollutants previously emitted to air turn into particulate matter

Some common direct and indirect sources include:

Emissions from Motor vehicles
Wood burning stoves and fireplaces
Dust from construction, landfills, and agriculture
Wildfires
Brush/waste burning
Industrial Emissions
Windblown dust from open lands