SOME OF THE WORLD’S WORST

POLLUTION PROBLEMS

What is pollution?• Pollution occurs

when substances are put into the environment that destroy living organisms

Factories produce smoke that pollutes the air

People throw litter around that pollutes

the soil

Loud noises affect living things in a

negative way

Ships carrying oil may spill oil into the ocean

GREENHOUSEEFFECT ACID RAIN

OZONE DEPLETION

3 BIG

pollution problems

OZONE DEPLETION120 KM

THERMOSPHERE

80 KM

MESOSPHERE

50 KM

STRATOSPHERE

15 KM

TROPOSHERE

Ozone Layer

The Ozone Layer is found in the Stratosphere

The Ozone Layer protects the Earth from invisible ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS from the Sun

During the last century, people used a chemical called

CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS

(CFCs)to produce various products …

•AIR CONDITIONERS

•FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

•RERIGERATORS

•AEROSOL CANS

•POLYSTYRENE FOAM

BUT …

CFCs destroy the gas OZONE …

This has lead to the depletion or destruction of parts of the Ozone Layer in the atmosphere!!!!

120 KM

THERMOSPHERE

80 KM

MESOSPHERE

50 KM

STRATOSPHERE

15 KM

TROPOSHERE

Ozone Layer

Destruction of the Ozone Layer means that ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT can get to the surface of the Earth …

This means that living things can die from the ultra violet rays ..

There is a higher incidence of skin cancers in the Southern Hemisphere due to these facts!

The hole in the ozone layer is largest over the arctic circle or south pole

GREENHOUSE EFFECTPlants PHOTOSYNTHESIZE using light energy from the Sun …

Plants use CARBON DIOXIDE and produce OXYGEN during photosynthesis.

This is Nature’s way of cleaning the atmosphere.

GREENHOUSE EFFECTIndustries throughout the world produce vast amounts of poisonous gases ..

These gases heat the atmosphere

Most of the forsets of the world are around the equator or equatorial regions

These forests are being destroyed to make way for new industies, farming and towns

This means that there are fewer plants to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen …

So the Earth is becoming hotter …..and hotter …

and hotter …

The poisonous gases in the atmosphere trap the heat in the

atmosphere

Just as heat is trapped inside a greenhouse!

What does this mean for our planet?• The temperature of our Earth is rising! Some scientists

say that the Earth’s temperature may rise by 1ºC - 3ºC by the middle of this century!

• Icebergs and glaciers at the poles are melting faster than ever!

• It is predicted that the sea will rise up to 60m above its present level. This means that shore lines will change and land will be lost to the ocean!

• More extreme changes to weather patterns will occur such as more flooding, more heat waves, more droughts and more tornadoes and hurricanes!

Help! I’m drowning!

ACID RAINIndustry has produced many harmful or toxic gases.

These include …SULPHUR OXIDES NITROGEN OXIDES HYDROCARBONS

TOXIC CHEMICALS PRODUCED The chemicals

mix with the water in clouds

The chemicals return to Earth

during precipitation

What are the effects of Acid Rain?

• More people suffer from respiratory diseases• The soil and water becomes polluted• Buildings wear away due to the acid

Where does Acid Rain fall in South Africa?

In industrial regions – especially in Gauteng!

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT

AIR POLLUTION?

COMPLETE THE PROJECT

Galaxy of Home Office Help: Clip Art

Print Master Silver Edition 16

sources

Pick ‘n Pay Talk About No. 1

The Star Newspaper

Printshop Ensemble III

designed by

Mr BairdFebruary, 2008