17.4
Human Impact on the Atmosphere
• Common Air Pollutant– Some are produced by nature thru volcanoes and
forest fires– Some are produced by man
The clean air act of 1970 identified 6 major pollutants
• Carbon monoxide• Nitrogen dioxide• Sulfur dioxide• Particulate matter-smoke, ash, soot• Lead• ozone
Acid Rain
• Rain is usually neutral on the pH scale• Water in the atmosphere will pick up
pollutants in the air and become acidic
Temperature inversion
• Under certain conditions a layer of warm air may rise up above a layer of cool air
• This could cause pollution to become trapped close to the ground
• Page 382- chart on national emissions of pollutants
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