Chapter 10The Atmospheric Environment

Winds distribute pollutantsWinds distribute pollutants Developing countries lack regulationsDeveloping countries lack regulations Global distillation effectGlobal distillation effect Canadian Arctic accumulates Canadian Arctic accumulates

high levels of toxinshigh levels of toxins Inuit peopleInuit people

High levels of PCBsHigh levels of PCBs Why?Why?

Air Pollution: Long Distance Traveler

Gaseous envelope surrounding Gaseous envelope surrounding EarthEarth

Mostly oxygen & nitrogen (99%)Mostly oxygen & nitrogen (99%) Four layersFour layers

TroposphereTroposphere StratosphereStratosphere MesosphereMesosphere ThermosphereThermosphere

The Atmosphere

The Atmosphere

The Atmosphere

NitrogenNitrogen 78%78% OxygenOxygen 21%21% ArgonArgon 0.93%0.93% Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide 0.04%0.04% Other GasesOther Gases 0.03%0.03%

What’s In Our Atmosphere

Ecosystem servicesEcosystem services Protects Earth from UV radiationProtects Earth from UV radiation Allows visible light and some Allows visible light and some

infrared to penetrateinfrared to penetrate We depend on We depend on

the atmospherethe atmosphere Oxygen balanceOxygen balance

The Atmosphere

The sun makes life on Earth possible:The sun makes life on Earth possible: Primary determinant of climate: amount of Primary determinant of climate: amount of

sunlight receivedsunlight received Solar radiation powers Solar radiation powers Earth’s cyclesEarth’s cycles

Electromagnetic spectrum Electromagnetic spectrum Entire range of electromagnetic radiationEntire range of electromagnetic radiation Includes gamma, x-ray, ultraviolet, visible, Includes gamma, x-ray, ultraviolet, visible,

infrared, microwave, and radioinfrared, microwave, and radio 43% of incoming solar radiation peaks in visible 43% of incoming solar radiation peaks in visible

light wavelengthslight wavelengths Gamma, x-rays and most UV rays are absorbed Gamma, x-rays and most UV rays are absorbed

by the stratosphereby the stratosphere Plants use portions of visible light for Plants use portions of visible light for

photosynthesisphotosynthesis

Solar Radiation andAtmospheric Circulation

Sun does not Sun does not reach all reach all places places uniformly: uniformly: why?why?

Temperature Temperature varies locallyvaries locally

Inclination on its axis determines Inclination on its axis determines Earth’s seasonsEarth’s seasons

N. and S. hemispheres are oppositeN. and S. hemispheres are opposite

Temperature differences drive circulationTemperature differences drive circulation Continuous circulation moderates surface Continuous circulation moderates surface

temperature on the Earthtemperature on the Earth

The Atmosphere

WindsWinds Small-scale, horizontal movementsSmall-scale, horizontal movements Result of atmospheric pressure and Result of atmospheric pressure and

Earth’s rotationEarth’s rotation Prevailing windsPrevailing winds

Major surface winds; blow continuouslyMajor surface winds; blow continuously Polar easterlies, westerlies, trade windsPolar easterlies, westerlies, trade winds

Atmospheric Circulation

Coriolis effectCoriolis effect Earth’s rotation Earth’s rotation

from west to from west to easteast

Moving air or Moving air or water is water is deflecteddeflected

N. hemisphere: N. hemisphere: deflected rightdeflected right

S. hemisphere: S. hemisphere: deflected leftdeflected left

Influences wind Influences wind directiondirection

Atmospheric Circulation

Transfer of warm water from Pacific ocean to Transfer of warm water from Pacific ocean to the Atlantic as a surface currentthe Atlantic as a surface current

Cold dense water sinks and slowly flows from Cold dense water sinks and slowly flows from Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean as a deep water Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean as a deep water currentcurrent

Oceanic Conveyor Belt

WeatherWeather Atmospheric conditions at a specific Atmospheric conditions at a specific

place and timeplace and time Rapid changesRapid changes

ClimateClimate Average weather conditionsAverage weather conditions Changes over hundreds/thousands of Changes over hundreds/thousands of

yearsyears Important factors: temperature and Important factors: temperature and

precipitationprecipitation

Various chemicals present in the Various chemicals present in the atmosphere in levels high enough to cause atmosphere in levels high enough to cause harmharm

Natural & human sourcesNatural & human sources Seven important typesSeven important types Two categoriesTwo categories

Primary: enter directly into atmospherePrimary: enter directly into atmosphere Secondary: form in the atmosphereSecondary: form in the atmosphere

Air Quality &Air Pollution

Primary and Secondary Air Pollution

GasesGases Carbon monoxideCarbon monoxide

Colorless, odorless, tastelessColorless, odorless, tasteless Reduces blood’s ability to Reduces blood’s ability to

transport oxygentransport oxygen Carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide

Produced in very large quantitiesProduced in very large quantities Major greenhouse gasMajor greenhouse gas

Carbon Oxides

GasesGases Acid depositionAcid deposition Corrode metals, damage stoneCorrode metals, damage stone Damage plants, respiratory irritantDamage plants, respiratory irritant

Sulfer Oxides

GasesGases Inhibit plant growthInhibit plant growth Aggravate health problemsAggravate health problems Photochemical smogPhotochemical smog Nitrous oxide: greenhouse gas, Nitrous oxide: greenhouse gas,

depletes ozonedepletes ozone Nitrogen oxides: corrode metals & Nitrogen oxides: corrode metals &

textilestextiles

Nitrogen Oxides

Different solid and liquid particlesDifferent solid and liquid particles Suspended in the atmosphereSuspended in the atmosphere Soil particles, soot, lead, etc…Soil particles, soot, lead, etc… Corrodes metal, erodes buildings, Corrodes metal, erodes buildings,

soils clothingsoils clothing Can be microscopic!Can be microscopic! Inhaling can be hazardousInhaling can be hazardous

Particulate Matter

Contain only carbon and hydrogenContain only carbon and hydrogen Methane, benzene, paraffinMethane, benzene, paraffin Many different kinds!Many different kinds! Varying effectsVarying effects

Some have no effectSome have no effect Some cause respiratory damageSome cause respiratory damage Some cause cancerSome cause cancer

Hydrocarbons

Sources of Sulphur and Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

VOC’s: unburned hydrocarbons VOC’s: unburned hydrocarbons and vapors that evaporate easily and vapors that evaporate easily in the atmospherein the atmosphere

VOC concentration may be 10 VOC concentration may be 10 times higher indoors, why?times higher indoors, why?

Toxic effect on humansToxic effect on humans

Volatile Organic Compounds

Essential component of stratosphereEssential component of stratosphere Filters out harmful UV radiationFilters out harmful UV radiation

Pollutant in the tropospherePollutant in the troposphere Most harmful component of photochemical Most harmful component of photochemical

smogsmog Reduces visibility, Reduces visibility,

causes health problemscauses health problems Reduces plant vigor Reduces plant vigor

Ozone

Natural:Natural: Erupting volcanoesErupting volcanoes Forest fires (lightening)Forest fires (lightening) Ocean spray and salt particulatesOcean spray and salt particulates Volatile organic compounds from Volatile organic compounds from

coniferous forestsconiferous forests Natural process from other vegetationNatural process from other vegetation

Sources of Air Pollutants

Air Pollution

Human ActivitiesHuman Activities::Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas)Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas)Transportation (mobile)Transportation (mobile)Industrial (stationary)Industrial (stationary)

Eye and respiratory tract problemsEye and respiratory tract problems Suppresses immune systemSuppresses immune system Chronic respiratory diseaseChronic respiratory disease CancerCancer Birth defectsBirth defects Neurological damageNeurological damage

Human Health Effects

Injures organismsInjures organisms Reduces visibilityReduces visibility Corrodes metals, Corrodes metals,

plastics, textilesplastics, textiles Harms respiratory Harms respiratory

tractstracts Reduces plant Reduces plant

productionproduction Ozone depletion, Ozone depletion,

climate change climate change

Effects of Air Pollution

Difficult due to long-range transportDifficult due to long-range transport Nations have to work togetherNations have to work together Emissions trading – “cap and trade”Emissions trading – “cap and trade” EU ETS – one of the largest programsEU ETS – one of the largest programs Kyoto Protocol uses emissions trading Kyoto Protocol uses emissions trading

system for six major greenhouse gasessystem for six major greenhouse gases Carbon credit trading – two typesCarbon credit trading – two types

COC’sCOC’s CRC’sCRC’s

Managing Air Pollution

Clean Air ActClean Air Act Includes air pollutants and greenhouse gasesIncludes air pollutants and greenhouse gases ControversialControversial Federal and provincial governments need to Federal and provincial governments need to

work togetherwork together Incentive-based regulation Incentive-based regulation

Kyoto ProtocolKyoto Protocol Signed in 1997Signed in 1997 Conservative government dropped it in 2006Conservative government dropped it in 2006 Second Clean Air Act introducedSecond Clean Air Act introduced

Canada’s Response

SmogSmog Industrial smogIndustrial smog

Sulphur oxides, particulate matterSulphur oxides, particulate matter Worst in winter…why?Worst in winter…why? More problematic in developing More problematic in developing

countries…why?countries…why?

Urban Air Pollution

Photochemical smogPhotochemical smog Brownish-orange hazeBrownish-orange haze Chemical reactionsChemical reactions Worst in summer…Worst in summer…

why?why? Sources?Sources?

Urban Air Pollution

Urban Air Pollution

Temperature change Temperature change air circulates air circulates pollutants dispersed pollutants dispersed

Temperature inversionTemperature inversion Cold air layer trapped near the Cold air layer trapped near the

ground by warm layerground by warm layer Traps pollutants close to groundTraps pollutants close to ground

Cities in valleys: more temperature Cities in valleys: more temperature inversionsinversions

Weather and Topography

Temperature Inversion

Smog has serious impacts on Smog has serious impacts on Canadian economyCanadian economy

1990, Canadian Council of Ministers 1990, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment developed of the Environment developed regulations, guidelines and regulations, guidelines and education initiativeseducation initiatives

Targeted automobile emissions and Targeted automobile emissions and commercial emission restrictionscommercial emission restrictions

Commitments to Reduce Smog

Very bad smog…Very bad smog…why?why?

1969: California is 1969: California is first state to first state to enforce vehicle enforce vehicle emission standardsemission standards

Every pollutant Every pollutant regulated todayregulated today

Should meet Should meet federal standards federal standards by 2010by 2010

Los Angeles

Sulphur and nitric acids in Sulphur and nitric acids in precipitationprecipitation

Dry acid particles in airDry acid particles in air Around since Industrial RevolutionAround since Industrial Revolution Causes much damageCauses much damage

Kills fish, damages structuresKills fish, damages structures Affects forest ecosystemsAffects forest ecosystems

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides releasedreleased

Where do these pollutants come Where do these pollutants come from?from?

Wind carries these pollutantsWind carries these pollutants React with water in atmosphereReact with water in atmosphere Form dilute acidsForm dilute acids

SulphuricSulphuric Nitric, nitrousNitric, nitrous

How Acid Deposition DevelopsHow Acid Deposition Develops

Ph Scale runs from zero (most Ph Scale runs from zero (most acidic) to fourteen (most alkaline)acidic) to fourteen (most alkaline)

A one unit change on the Ph scale A one unit change on the Ph scale represents a 10 fold unit change in represents a 10 fold unit change in acidityacidity

Corrodes metals and building materialsCorrodes metals and building materials Decline in some fish speciesDecline in some fish species Birds lay eggs with thinner shellsBirds lay eggs with thinner shells Damaging to forestsDamaging to forests

Research at ELA on lake 223Research at ELA on lake 223 Reduction in PhReduction in Ph Reduction in biodiversityReduction in biodiversity Ph lower than 4.0 may mean no fish at Ph lower than 4.0 may mean no fish at

allall

Damage to forestsDamage to forests Overall tree weakeningOverall tree weakening Increase in UV radiationIncrease in UV radiation Insect infestationInsect infestation Changes in soil chemistryChanges in soil chemistry

Difficult to controlDifficult to control Who should pay for the pollution?Who should pay for the pollution?

Acids are released in one placeAcids are released in one place Returned to Earth’s surface Returned to Earth’s surface

hundreds of miles from sourcehundreds of miles from source

Over past 15 years, Canada has committed to Over past 15 years, Canada has committed to reducing sulphur dioxidereducing sulphur dioxide 1985, Eastern Canadian Acid Rain Program1985, Eastern Canadian Acid Rain Program 1991, Canada-United States Air Quality 1991, Canada-United States Air Quality

AgreementAgreement Canada Wide Acid Rain Strategy for Post-Canada Wide Acid Rain Strategy for Post-

20002000 Reduction achieved by:Reduction achieved by:

Scrubbers installed in smoke stacksScrubbers installed in smoke stacks Low sulphur coal (but other problems arise)Low sulphur coal (but other problems arise)

Acid Neutralizing CapacityAcid Neutralizing CapacityAbility of water or soil to Ability of water or soil to neutralize acidsneutralize acids

Critical LoadsCritical LoadsMaximum amount of pollution an Maximum amount of pollution an ecosystem can tolerate before it ecosystem can tolerate before it becomes damagedbecomes damaged

May be more pollution inside than out!May be more pollution inside than out! We spend a lot of time indoorsWe spend a lot of time indoors Radon, cigarette smoke, cleaners, etc…Radon, cigarette smoke, cleaners, etc… Viruses, bacteria, fungi, dust mitesViruses, bacteria, fungi, dust mites Sick building syndromeSick building syndrome

Eye irritations, nausea, headaches, Eye irritations, nausea, headaches, fatiguefatigue

Caused by indoor air pollutionCaused by indoor air pollution Lost work timeLost work time

Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor Air Pollution

Most serious indoor air pollutantMost serious indoor air pollutant Radioactive gas produced by decay of Radioactive gas produced by decay of

radium in Earth’s crustradium in Earth’s crust Seeps into homesSeeps into homes Dangerous when inhaledDangerous when inhaled Can cause cancerCan cause cancer Energy efficient homes,Energy efficient homes,

radon can’t disperseradon can’t disperse Test your home!Test your home!

Radon

Temperature is increasingTemperature is increasing Spring arriving earlier; autumn laterSpring arriving earlier; autumn later more heat wavesmore heat waves

Radiative forcing – the imbalance Radiative forcing – the imbalance in the Earth’s energy budget that in the Earth’s energy budget that results when the amount of results when the amount of energy radiated to outer space is energy radiated to outer space is changed through either natural or changed through either natural or human influences human influences Positive forcing results in warming Positive forcing results in warming Negative forcing leads to coolingNegative forcing leads to cooling

Greenhouse Greenhouse gases absorb gases absorb infrared infrared radiation radiation warms warms atmosphereatmosphere

We are We are increasing increasing concentrations concentrations of these gasesof these gases

Two important factors: amount of gas Two important factors: amount of gas emitted and properties of the gasemitted and properties of the gas

Average residence time: length of time Average residence time: length of time gas resides in the atmospheregas resides in the atmosphere

Global warming potential: how much Global warming potential: how much given mass of greenhouse gas given mass of greenhouse gas contributes to global warming over a contributes to global warming over a period of time compared to the same period of time compared to the same mass of carbon dioxide mass of carbon dioxide

COCO22, CH, CH44, N, N22O, O, CFCs, OCFCs, O33 accumulateaccumulate

Where do these Where do these gases come from?gases come from?

Concentrations of Concentrations of these these gases are gases are increasing increasing

What is a Carbon What is a Carbon footprint?footprint?

Calculate your Calculate your carbon footprintcarbon footprint

Think about what Think about what steps you can steps you can take to reduce take to reduce your carbon your carbon footprintfootprint

Carbon FootprintCarbon Footprint

Some pollutants cool the Some pollutants cool the atmosphereatmosphere

Atmospheric aerosolsAtmospheric aerosols Natural human sourcesNatural human sources Reflect sunlight into spaceReflect sunlight into space Cools atmosphereCools atmosphere Sulphur haze, volcanic Sulphur haze, volcanic eruptionseruptions Most nations Most nations trying to reducetrying to reduce

Precipitation patterns will changePrecipitation patterns will change More droughts, floodsMore droughts, floods Impact on freshwater suppliesImpact on freshwater supplies

Agricultural changesAgricultural changes Some areas will floodSome areas will flood Pests could increase their rangesPests could increase their ranges

Polar amplificationPolar amplification More extinctionsMore extinctions Melting sea iceMelting sea ice Rise in sea level, devastating Rise in sea level, devastating

impacts on coastal communitiesimpacts on coastal communities Increasing coastal erosion ratesIncreasing coastal erosion rates Changing salt levels in oceanChanging salt levels in ocean

Rise in sea level with flood some Rise in sea level with flood some agricultural landsagricultural lands

Agricultural pests and disease causing Agricultural pests and disease causing organisms will reduce crop yieldsorganisms will reduce crop yields

Increased frequency of drought Increased frequency of drought (occurrence and duration) – more drought (occurrence and duration) – more drought resistant cropsresistant crops

Changing length of growing seasonChanging length of growing season New areas suitable for agricultural New areas suitable for agricultural

productionproduction

Every species on earth affectsEvery species on earth affects Some will expand and thrive – example Mountain Pine BeetleSome will expand and thrive – example Mountain Pine Beetle Inter-related ecosystem changesInter-related ecosystem changes At greatest risks are At greatest risks are

polar seaspolar seas coral reefscoral reefs mountain ecosystems mountain ecosystems coastal wetlands coastal wetlands tundratundra

More extinctionsMore extinctions Antarctica: less silverfish Antarctica: less silverfish less less

Adélie penguins; more egg failuresAdélie penguins; more egg failures

Bleaching of coral reefs ; increase 10-20 CBleaching of coral reefs ; increase 10-20 C Tree species may shift rangesTree species may shift ranges

More heat-related illnessMore heat-related illness More malaria, dengue & yellow fever: why?More malaria, dengue & yellow fever: why? More schistosomiasis, choleraMore schistosomiasis, cholera

CO2 must be the focusCO2 must be the focus Two ways to manageTwo ways to manage

MitigationMitigationModerate/postpone global climate changeModerate/postpone global climate changeBuy us timeBuy us time

AdaptationAdaptationResponse to changesResponse to changes Implies that climate change is unavoidableImplies that climate change is unavoidable

Developing fuel alternativesDeveloping fuel alternatives Increasing energy efficiencyIncreasing energy efficiency Plant and maintain trees: Plant and maintain trees: Carbon managementCarbon management

Separate and capture CO2Separate and capture CO2 Sequester from atmosphereSequester from atmosphere

Mitigation of Global Mitigation of Global Climate ChangeClimate Change

Coastal populations must move Coastal populations must move inlandinland

Build massive sea wallsBuild massive sea walls Plant different crops: why?Plant different crops: why? Develop heat and drought-resistant Develop heat and drought-resistant

treestrees Change coastal sewage systems to Change coastal sewage systems to

reduce floodingreduce flooding

Pollutant in tropospherePollutant in troposphere Essential in stratosphere: why?Essential in stratosphere: why?

CFC’s, halons, CFC’s, halons, industrial solventsindustrial solvents

First used in 1960’sFirst used in 1960’s These chemical These chemical

werewere cheap and easy cheap and easy

to produceto produce Were eventually Were eventually

bannedbanned

More UV radiation reaches EarthMore UV radiation reaches Earth Damage to ecosystemsDamage to ecosystems Human health problemsHuman health problems

More cataractsMore cataracts More skin cancerMore skin cancer Weakened immunityWeakened immunity

1987 Montreal Protocol – 50% reduction1987 Montreal Protocol – 50% reduction By 2007, 191 countries participatingBy 2007, 191 countries participating Industry substitutes such as Industry substitutes such as

hydroflurocarbons do not attack ozone hydroflurocarbons do not attack ozone but are potent greenhouse gasesbut are potent greenhouse gases

Most countries have phased out HCFC’sMost countries have phased out HCFC’s Long residence timeLong residence time

Consider a career Consider a career as a Climatologist as a Climatologist

Use long range Use long range data to study data to study trends and make trends and make predictions about predictions about climate changeclimate change

Eco Canada Career Focus

Management of the atmospheric environment on a Management of the atmospheric environment on a global scaleglobal scale

Promotes scientific and social researchPromotes scientific and social research Initiated in 1990Initiated in 1990 Decision making, policy creation, raising awareness Decision making, policy creation, raising awareness

happens across many governmental levelshappens across many governmental levels Assists with linkages and multi-level decision Assists with linkages and multi-level decision

makingmaking

Case Study: IDHP