The document is a French‑language Master 2 teaching module for the Physique‑Chimie appliquée – Option Environnement programme at Université Jean Lorougnon Guédé. Authored by Dr Marcellin Adon and based on courses by Pr Véronique Yoboué, it provides a comprehensive overview of atmospheric pollution and its interaction with meteorology. The material begins with a brief introduction to atmospheric physico‑chemistry, describing the composition of air, biogeochemical cycles, and stratospheric and tropospheric ozone chemistry. It then defines air pollution, distinguishes natural and anthropogenic sources, and enumerates major primary and secondary pollutants (gaseous species, particulate matter, heavy metals). The health and environmental consequences of pollution are detailed, including smog, acid rain, eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, and impacts on monuments and climate. The text presents pollutant lifetimes, greenhouse‑gas emission inventories, and the regulatory framework in Côte d’Ivoire (decrees, standards, and international conventions). It explains the key meteorological factors that control transport, dispersion and transformation of pollutants (wind, temperature gradient, turbulence, stability) and describes the four‑step pollution process (emission, dispersion, chemical transformation, deposition). Various indicators of air quality are introduced, especially particulate matter size fractions (PM₁₀, PM₂.₅, ultrafine) and heavy‑metal tracers, together with measurement units, conversion formulas (ppb ↔ µg m⁻³) and sampling strategies. The module outlines methods for quantifying emissions (measurement, inventories, emission factors, correlations) and presents a step‑by‑step methodology for atmospheric dispersion modelling, including data requirements (emissions, meteorology, topography, land use) and model applications (impact studies, forecasting, mapping). Throughout, the lecture uses instructional, academic language with a neutral‑to‑concerned tone, aiming to equip students with the conceptual, analytical and practical tools needed to assess and manage air quality.
Topics
Foundations of Atmospheric Physico‑Chemistry for Air‑Quality Studies
Introduces atmospheric composition, biogeochemical cycles, and stratospheric vs. tropospheric ozone chemistry as the scientific basis for understanding pollution processes.
Defining Air Pollution: Scope, Constituents, and WHO Perspective
Provides a formal definition of atmospheric pollution, lists typical contaminants (gases, particles, radionuclides) and cites the WHO definition emphasizing human‑induced substances.
Natural vs. Anthropogenic Sources of Atmospheric Pollutants
Classifies pollutant origins into natural (volcanoes, sea spray, biomass burning, dust) and anthropogenic (industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, tire burning, agricultural spraying) with illustrative photos.
Health and Environmental Consequences of Air Pollution
Details acute and chronic health effects (asthma, bronchitis, cancer) and environmental impacts (smog, acid rain, eutrophication, monument degradation, ozone depletion).
Primary and Secondary Pollutant Families and Photo‑Chemical Processes
Distinguishes primary pollutants emitted directly from sources and secondary pollutants formed via atmospheric reactions (ozone, nitrates, sulfates, particulate secondary species).
Pollutant Lifetimes and Spatial Scales of Impact
Lists typical atmospheric residence times for key species (O₃, NOₓ, SO₂, PM, VOCs, CO) and explains how lifetime determines local vs. regional vs. global influence.
Greenhouse‑Gas Emission Inventories and Sectoral Contributions
Presents a case inventory for the Île‑de‑France region, breaking down CO₂‑equivalent emissions by sector (residential, agriculture, transport, industry, etc.).
Regulatory Framework in Côte d’Ivoire and International Conventions
Summarizes national decrees on air‑quality limits, monitoring procedures, and sanctions, and lists relevant international agreements (Vienna ozone protocol, UNFCCC, Kyoto, Paris).