What effect do low-level inversions have on air quality?

Low-level inversions play a significant role in air quality by trapping pollutants close to the ground. During an inversion, a layer of warmer air sits above a layer of cooler air at the surface. This setup inhibits vertical mixing of the atmosphere, preventing pollutants such as smoke, dust, and other particulates from dispersing. As a result, these contaminants remain concentrated near the surface, leading to decreased air quality.

Understanding the context of how inversions form helps clarify the impact on air quality. Typically, air pollution relies on vertical mixing and atmospheric turbulence to disperse; however, during low-level inversions, this mixing is severely restricted. Thus, areas under an inversion layer can experience increased concentrations of harmful substances, affecting human health and environmental conditions.

In contrast, the other options refer to scenarios that either assist in dispersing pollutants or do not accurately describe the effects of low-level inversions on the environment.