Investigating the Sources of Artificial Light Pollution by ...
How Clean is our Air? Investigating Air Pollution.
Transcript of How Clean is our Air? Investigating Air Pollution.
How Clean is our Air?
Investigating Air Pollution
What is Air?
Invisible, tasteless, and odorless mixture of gases that surrounds us
Two categoriesInside air
Air found inside buildings
Ambient airAir (atmosphere) outside
What is Air?
Major components of airNitrogen -78%
Oxygen – 21%
Argon – 0.9%
Carbon dioxide - 0.03%
Trace gases Neon, ammonia, helium, methane, krypton, hydrogen
Air Quality
Availability of quality air is critical to both plants and animal
Both ambient and inside air quality is important
What is Air Pollution?
The presence of materials in the air that damage air quality
Anything other than the natural gases present
Results fromNatural events
Human activity
Types and Sources of Air Pollution
Two major types of air pollutantsParticulate matterGases
Particulate Matter
Small particles similar to dust and droplets of liquid
Most visible and noticeable type of air pollution
Most air pollution is of this type
In cities, 90% is due to human intervention
Particulate Matter
Examples:Smoke from factories
Burning trash and forest fires
Dust from roads and mines
Lint
Pollen
Gases
Difficult to identify
Remain in the atmosphere for years
Classifications of gas pollutantsCarbon forms
Sulfur oxides
Nitrogen oxides
Carbon Forms
Released through combustion or burning of materials that contain carbon
IncludeHydrocarbons
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Hydrocarbons
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) Compound containing carbon that forms when sunlight reacts with chemicals in the atmosphere
Sources of chemicalsEvaporating gas and oil
Paints, primers, sealers
Organic chemicals (toluene, benzene, phenols, chloroform)
Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide
Internal combustion engines release carbon gases
Complete combustion = carbon dioxideIncomplete combustion = carbon monoxide
One billion metric tons of carbon monoxide released every year by vehicles alone Carbon dioxide is a major component of smog
Sulfur Oxides
High level can be detected by a “rotten egg –type” odorCommon sulfur oxides
Sulfur dioxide(SO2)
Sulfur trioxide(SO3)
Sulfur Dioxide
Produced when fuels containing sulfur are burned
Coal and oil
Natural sourcesVolcanoes
Sea spray
Dust from soil
Sulfur dioxide is the second major component of smog
Sulfur Trioxide
One major gas that causes acid rain Able to combine with water vapor to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
Very strong acid quickly reacts with materials when contract is made
Acid rain can cause damage to plants and property.
Nitrogen Oxides
Formed during combustion of fuels with nitrogen
Common forms Nitrogen monoxide (NO)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
The effects of nitrogen oxides are similar to those of of sulfur oxides.
Another major gas that causes acid rain
The Effects of Air Pollution
Human health problemsmostly respiratory diseases
Common diseases Lung Cancer
Emphysema
Bronchitis
Black lung diseases
The Effects of Air Pollution
All air comes in through nostrils
small hairs and moist membranes that filter dust and some gases
Materials that get past the small hairs may be absorbed by the mucous membranes in lungs.
The Effects of Air Pollution
The Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution affects lungs of other animals similar to humans
Feed produced in areas near high air pollution may be poisoned
Acid rain can also destroy wild fish population in lakes and streams if in a strong enough concentration
The Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution may cause damage to fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, lawn grasses, and other plants.
Several pollutants can destroy leaf tissue in plants.
Plant cannot manufacture the needed chlorophyll
Protecting Air from Pollution
Controlling emissionsScrubbers can be used on factory stacksUse fuels that produce less sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen Maintaining engines
less fuel is burned = fewer pollutants
Reusing and recycling Practicing safety