Air PollutionAir Pollution

Atmosphere as a ResourceAtmosphere as a Resourceo Atmospheric Atmospheric

CompositionComposition• Nitrogen 78.08%Nitrogen 78.08%• Oxygen 20.95%Oxygen 20.95%• Argon 0.93%Argon 0.93%• Carbon dioxide 0.04%Carbon dioxide 0.04%

o Ecosystem servicesEcosystem services• Blocks UV radiationBlocks UV radiation• Moderates the Moderates the

climateclimate• Redistributes water in Redistributes water in

the hydrologic cycle the hydrologic cycle

Types and Sources of Air Types and Sources of Air PollutionPollution

o Air PollutionAir Pollution• Chemicals added to the atmosphere by Chemicals added to the atmosphere by

natural events or human activities in high natural events or human activities in high enough concentrations to be harmful enough concentrations to be harmful

o Two categoriesTwo categories• Primary Air PollutantPrimary Air Pollutant

• Harmful substance that is emitted directly into Harmful substance that is emitted directly into the atmosphere the atmosphere

• Secondary Air PollutantSecondary Air Pollutant• Harmful substance formed in the atmosphere Harmful substance formed in the atmosphere

when a primary air pollutant reacts with when a primary air pollutant reacts with substances normally found in the atmosphere or substances normally found in the atmosphere or with other air pollutants with other air pollutants

Major Pollutants:Major Pollutants:

1..) Carbon Monoxide

2.) Sulfur Dioxide

3.) Nitrogen Dioxide

4.) Ground Level

Ozone

Carbon MonoxideCarbon Monoxide•colorless, odorless•present in car exhaust•deprives body of O2 causing headaches, fatigue, and impaired vision

Sulfur DioxideSulfur Dioxide•produced when coal and fuel oil are burned•present in power plant exhaust•narrows the airway, causing shortness of breath, especially in those with asthma

Particulate MatterParticulate Matter•particles of different sizes and structures that are released into the atmosphere•present in many sources including fossil fuels, dust, smoke, fog, etc.•can build up in respiratory system•aggravates heart and lung disease; increases risk of respiratory infection

Nitrogen DioxideNitrogen Dioxide•reddish, brown gas•produced when nitric oxide combines with oxygen in the atmosphere•present in car exhaust and power plants•affects lungs and increases chance of respiratory infection

Ground Level OzoneGround Level Ozone•at upper level, ozone shields Earth from sun’s harmful UV rays•at ground level, ozone is harmful pollutants•formed from car, power and chemical plant exhaust•irritate respiratory system and asthma;

Sources of Outdoor Air PollutionSources of Outdoor Air Pollutiono Two main Two main

sourcessources• TransportationTransportation• IndustryIndustry

o Intentional forest Intentional forest fires is also highfires is also high

Health Effects of Air PollutionHealth Effects of Air Pollutiono Sulfur Dioxide and Particulate materialSulfur Dioxide and Particulate material

• Irritate respiratory tract and impair ability of Irritate respiratory tract and impair ability of lungs to exchange gaseslungs to exchange gases

o Nitrogen DioxidesNitrogen Dioxides• Causes airway restrictionCauses airway restriction

o Carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide• Binds with iron in blood hemoglobinBinds with iron in blood hemoglobin• Causes headache, fatigue, drowsiness, deathCauses headache, fatigue, drowsiness, death

o OzoneOzone• Causes burning eyes, coughing, and chest Causes burning eyes, coughing, and chest

discomfortdiscomfort

Ozone Depletion in StratosphereOzone Depletion in Stratosphereo Ozone Protects earth from UV radiationOzone Protects earth from UV radiation

Ozone Depletion in StratosphereOzone Depletion in Stratosphereo Ozone thinning/holeOzone thinning/hole

• First identified in 1985 First identified in 1985 over Antarcticaover Antarctica

o Caused by Caused by • human-produced human-produced

bromine and chlorine bromine and chlorine containing chemicalscontaining chemicals

• Ex: CFCsEx: CFCs

Effects of Ozone DepletionEffects of Ozone Depletiono Higher levels of UV-Higher levels of UV-

radiation hitting the radiation hitting the earthearth• Eye cataractsEye cataracts• Skin cancer (right)Skin cancer (right)• Weakened immunityWeakened immunity

o May disrupt May disrupt ecosystemsecosystems

o May damage crops May damage crops and forestsand forests

How Acid Deposition DevelopsHow Acid Deposition Develops

Effects of Acid DepositionEffects of Acid Depositiono Declining Aquatic Declining Aquatic

Animal PopulationsAnimal Populationso Thin-shelled eggs Thin-shelled eggs

prevent bird prevent bird reproductionreproduction• Because calcium is Because calcium is

unavailable in acidic unavailable in acidic soilsoil

o Forest declineForest decline• Ex: Black forest in Ex: Black forest in

Germany (50% is Germany (50% is destroyed)destroyed)