Post on 27-Dec-2015
Smog• smog – mixture of chemicals that forms a haze
in the air (Nitrogen Oxides etc)• smoke from cars and factories release the
chemicals
Temperature Inversion• Cold winter air is held down by warm air above it. It
stays near the earths surface trapping smog
Ozone Depletion• CFC’s destroy the ozone layer once they reach the
stratosphere.• This let’s too much UV light in.
Greenhouse Gases• Gases able to absorb heat energy.• Most common is carbon dioxide from fossil fuels.
Greenhouse effect• Sunlight warms the earth but the extra heat is held
close to the earths surface by greenhouse gases.
Global Warming• increase of the average temperature of the earth• Hypothesized to continue rising (could lead to
problems)
Acid rain• Rain mixed with acid from the smoke of fossil
fuels (sulfur) -changes ph of soil and lakes
Eutrophication -eutrophication- adding extra nutrients to the ecosystem (N,P)-gets in water and causes extra algae to grow
Landfills• Liquids from landfills can seep into ground water• Methane gas from landfills can seep into basements• Plastic not biodegradable
Radiation• Radiation released from mining and drilling uranium
gets into air and water• Nuclear waste from power plants must be buried.
Asbestos• Long fibers that used to be used as insulation and
fire fireproofing in buildings.• Harmful when breathed.
Global Warming Effects• Melts ice caps causing rising sea levels• Changes climate (hurricanes, etc)• Droughts
Acid Rain Effects• Dissolves metals into water that can harm fish,
crops and humans.• Erodes structures
Radiation Effects• Radon radiation is the number 2 cause of lung
cancer in the US• Radiation sickness and burns