5.7 URBAN AIR POLLUTION

Beijing, China

Tropospheric ozone

Tropospheric ozone (ground level ozone) = bad ozone (not protective) as a result of human activity

Sources: Burning of fossil fuels

hydrocarbons and Nitric oxides sunlight and NO2 formation of 03

Problems: Ozone absorbed by plant leaves

degrades chlorophyll so productivity is reduced

Damages crops, forests Degrades many textiles and rubbers

(think of an old rubber band!)

Damage from ozone

Photochemical smog

Smog is often seen as a brown haze above a large city

Sources: Mixture of ~ 100 primary and secondary

pollutants (ozone, gaseous hydrocarbon) Largely a product of fossil fuel use in

combination with sunlight (photochemical reaction)

• Problems: • Toxic gas (lead to breathing difficulties and health

problems)

Smog Pollution in LA

Pollution management strategies Read the

information about Milwaukee’s air pollution

Use the replace, regulate and restore model on page 282 to evaluate air pollution and develop a management plan