Biology Project

6B 21 Leung Ming Hong

6B 25 So Kam Hei

Air Pollution

Source of air pollution (human)

Air Pollutants from:

1. Factory

2. Vehicle

3. Smoking

4. Construction site

Source of air pollution (natural)

Volcano eruption produces sulphur dioxide

Digestion in cows produces methane SO2 and CH4 are air pollutants

There are many kinds of air pollutants

1. Carbon monoxide and carbon1. Carbon monoxide and carbon 2. Unburnt hydrocarbons2. Unburnt hydrocarbons 3. Sulphur dioxide3. Sulphur dioxide 4. Oxides of nitrogen4. Oxides of nitrogen 5. Photochemical smog5. Photochemical smog 6. 6. Repairable Suspended Particulates (RSPs) 7. Ozone 7. Ozone

1. Carbon monoxide and carbon Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas emitted into the atmosphere by incomplete

combustion processes formed by the oxidation of hydrocarbons and

other organic compounds. survives in the atmosphere for about 1 month will oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon particles are part of the dark smoke

that forms.

Effect Mainly emitted by vehicles on road reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of

the blood Low conc.: dizzy, headache and irritable High conc.: unconsciousness and death

2.Unburnt hydrocarbons (Volatile organic compounds) (VOCs) released in vehicle exhaust gases emitted by the evaporation of solvents and mot

or fuels

Effect

Causing cancer

Formation of smog (smoke + fog)

3. Sulphur dioxide From power stations burning fossil fue

ls which contain sulphur

Effect combines with H2O in atmosphere to produce acid

rain SO2 in air is associated with asthma and chronic bro

nchitis SO2 emissions effect air quality in urban areas Low conc. : respiratory tracts and lung diseases High conc. : cancer and death

SO2(g)+H2O(l) H2SO3(aq) Sulphurous acid

Effect

Oh, so poor

destroy vegetation and degradation of soils, building materials and watercourses

4.oxides of nitrogen (NOx) formed during high temperature

combustion processes from the oxidation of nitrogen in the air or fuel

From power stations, heating plants and industrial processes

Mostly NO & NO2

N2(g)+O2(g) 2NO(g)2NO(g)+O2(g) 2NO2(g)

Effect Irritation of respiratory tracts and lungs Causing asthma In the presence of sunlight, it reacts with

hydrocarbons to produce photochemical pollutants such as ozone

5. Photochemical smog

Sunlight acts on air pollutants (e.g. carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons)

form a new substance called photochemical smog

Effect

Irritate the eyes dangerous to people with breathing

and heart problems poisonous to plants damages rubber, paint and other

materials

6. Repairable Suspended Particulates Solid matter or liquid droplets from smoke, dust, fu

el ash, or condensing vapours Suspended in the air Particles smaller than 100 micrometers in diameter Natural: from sea (wind-blown sea-salt ) or soil Man made: from diesel exhausts, construction activ

ities and factories

6. Repairable Suspended Particulates

Usually hydrocarbon, sulphates, nitrates These small particles can enter deep into

lungs

Most of the RSP is carbon

Effect

creating dirt, odour and visibility problems health effects :risk of heart and lung disease carry surface-absorbed carcinogenic compo

unds into the lungs

Installing precipitator in factory Using unleaded petrol in vehicle

How to solve the problem???

7. Ozone

pollutant produced by reaction between nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrocarbons and sunlight

powerful oxidizing agent

Effect persist for several days and be transported o

ver long distances. irritate the eyes causing breathing difficulties is a highly reactive chemical, capable of atta

cking surfaces, fabrics and rubber materials toxic to some crops, vegetation and trees.

Air Pollution Index

Introduction

The Air Pollution Index (API) is a simple way of describing air pollution levels.

Uses

enhance awareness of public to air pollution

Alert those with heart or respiratory illnesses, to consider taking precautionary measures

AIR MONITORING STATIONSGeneral Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station

located on 4 to 6-floor buildings

Represent air quality in areas of high population density

A general air quality monitoring station located at Tsuen Wan.

AIR MONITORING STATIONSRoadside Air Quality Monitoring Station

provides information on the level of pollution very close to vehicle emission sources in busy streets and roads.

A roadside air quality monitoring station located at Causeway Bay.

AIR MONITORING STATIONS

StreetBox Urban Pollution Monitor in foreign country

AIR MONITORING STATIONSThe map below shows the locations of air quality monitoring stations

HOW IS THE API CALCULATED? Measure pollutant concentrations in the air

and analysis effect of polluted air on public Measure pollutants include NO2 SO2 O3 CO

and respirable suspended particulates. Taking the maximum of the subindices

among all the parameters measured at that station.

Photochemical smog by NOx

HEALTH IMPLICATION OF API

HEALTH IMPLICATION OF API

Descriptor API Health Implications

Low 0 to 25 Not expected.

Medium 26 to 50 Not expected for the general population.

High 51 to 100 Few or none in the general population may notice immediate health effects. Long-term effects may, however, be observed if you are exposed to such levels persistently for a long time.

Very High 101 to 200 People with existing heart or respiratory illnesses may notice mild aggravation of their health conditions. Generally healthy individuals may also notice some discomfort.

Severe 201 to 500 People with existing heart or respiratory illnesses may experience significant aggravation of their symptoms and there will be also widespread symptoms in the healthy population. These include eye irritation, wheezing, coughing, phlegm and sore throat.

The most air polluted area in HK (by API from EPD)

Station

Distribution of Hourly API (Number of Hours) (General stations)

Low(0-25)

Medium(26-50)

High(51-100)

Very High(101-200)

Severe(201-500)

Central/Western 0 432 1773 0 0

Eastern 0 517 1670 0 0

Kwai Chung 0 370 1828 7 0

Kwun Tong 0 358 1835 0 0

Sha Tin 0 414 1781 0 0

Sham Shui Po 0 337 1860 0 0

Tai Po 3 249 584 0 0

Tap Mun 0 464 1701 0 0

Tsuen Wan 0 350 1853 2 0

Tung Chung 19 296 1859 21 0

Yuen Long 0 291 1908 0 0

Distribution of Hourly API for General Stations for the period October 2004 - December 2004

Medium 17.9%

High 81.8%

Distribution of Hourly API for Roadside Stations for the period October 2004 - December 2004

Distribution of Hourly API (Number of Hours)

Low(0-25)

Medium(26-50)

High(51-100)

Very High(101-200)

Severe(201-500)

Causeway Bay 0 0 2171 34 0

Central 0 32 1884 289 0

Mong Kok 0 27 1690 488 0

Very highhigh

Global Warming and Green House Effect

Global Warming & Green House effect

What are they?

certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane)More energy is keep in atmosphereThe temperature is increased

Global Warming and Green House EffectEffectChange in climate, rainfall

Impact on organism on earth

Earth has warmed by about 1ºF over the past 100 years

Increase the temperature will melt the polar ice cap sea level rise

Causes the earth to heat up, just like the inside of a car parked in sunlight

Keeps the plants warm enough to live in the winter. good or not?

As u see, increasing CO2 concentration is related to the increase in temperature

Lichen

Lichen

Lichen are particularly good indicators of gas pollution in the air

Almost all lichen are sensitive to air pollutions.

Such as SO2, F2, O3, pH or even metal ion

More: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/aq/lichen/images.htm

Lichen

Lichen + Green algae not found : SO2 conc. >170 mg/m3 Only green algae : max. 170 mg/m3 close formations of lichen on the

trunk of the tree, even in the cracks : 125-150 mg/m3

Lichen

leaf shaped lobe plates formed by leafy lichen :

60-70 mg/m3

lichen growing as a little bush or hanging like a beard :

40-50 mg/m3

Solve the air pollution problem

Solve the air pollution problem

Make maximum use of mass public transport avoid travel by car. Benefits - Reduces the emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulates

from road vehicles.

Maintain your car engine keep your car engine properly tuned. Benefits - Saves fuel, money and air pollution.

Switch off idling engines switch off engine while waiting. Benefits - Saves fuel, money and air pollution.

On road:

Solve the air pollution problem

Switch off domestic appliances turn off fans, air-conditioners, lights, etc. when not required.

Use non-aerosol consumer products hair sprays, pesticides often use hydrocarbons as their propellants. Benefits: Reduce the formation of ozone.

At home:

Sources http://enviro.nicesoda.com/~S077_01/greenpost.php?flash=

true http://www.imor.org.mk/programmes/planet/ghouse.htm http://home.school.net.hk/~chemmag/issue6/ming-k/greenh

ouseeffect.html http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/acidrain.html http://www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain/ http://www.smartown.com/sp2000/AIDS/index.htm http://www.cleartheair.org.hk/api.htm http://www.meteorology.org.hk/acid_guide.htm http://www.foek.hu/korneteng/utalas/utal4_7.htm http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/aq/lichen/images.htm http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/air_

maincontent.html Advanced-level Biology for Hong Kong Vol.1

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