Acid RainAcid Rain

Acid RainAcid RainBurning fossil fuels releases toxins (Sulfur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide) into the atmosphere.

pH ScalepH Scale• The pH scale is a number scale from 0-

14 that measures how acidic or basic something is.

• Something with a pH of 7 is neutral (water).

• A pH less than 7 indicates an acid, the closer you get to zero, the stronger the acid is.

• Normal rain has a pH of about 5.6.• The pH of acid rain can be as low as 3.

What is Acid RainWhat is Acid Rain• Formed when gases, such as CO2 and SO2

react with the water in the atmosphere.

• The pH of Rain drops– As low as pH of 2– Very harmful to our living environment

How does Acid Rain effect usHow does Acid Rain effect us• It kills micro-organisms• It poisons plants• It damages metals and

limestone • It kills fish and birds.• Respiratory problems in humans, can even die.

More effects…More effects…

• Loss of nutrients in the soil (acid dissolves them).

• Plant roots are damaged and can’t take in water as effectively.

• In aquatic environments, acid rain can cause the death of the animals that live there.

Other issues…Other issues…• Acid rain can travel great

distances away from it’s source as it travels with wind and clouds.

• In 1980, 50% of the acid rain that fell in Eastern Canada came from the US.

• Acid rain can also damage buildings (eats away at limestone) and corrode metals as well.

• What are the

solutions to acid rain?

SolutionsSolutions• 1. Sulphur dioxide can be removed from power

stations chimneys.

• 2. Reduce the amount of electricity we use - turn tv’s off at the mains, don’t leave on standby.- turn off lights when a room is not in use.

• 3. Use renewable energy like wind power, solar panels, geothermal energy,…

• 4. Limit the number of vehicles on the roads and increase public transport.

What is global warming?

How Global Warming Works

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

The Sun’s energy passes through the car’s windshield.

This energy (heat) is trapped inside the car and cannot pass back through the windshield, causing the inside of the car to warm up.

Example of the Greenhouse Effect

What’s the difference between “global warming” and “climate

change”?

DifferenceGLOBAL WARMING

is the increase of the Earth’s average surface temperature due to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

CLIMATE CHANGE is a broader term that

refers to long-term changes in climate, including average temperature and precipitation.

Effects of Global WarmingIncreased Temperature

Habitat Damage and

Species Affected

Changes in Water Supply

Rising Sea Level

What’s the proof that global warming is taking place?

Portage Glacier

1914 2004

• Alaska

Colorado River• Arizona

June 2002 Dec 2003

Why is global warming happening?

Burning of Fossil Fuels

Pollution from coal, natural gas, and oilPollution from coal, natural gas, and oilPollution from coal, natural gas, and oil

When did global warming start?

Global Atmospheric Concentration of CO2

What’s being done now to reduce our emissions?

Solar Power Wind Power Fuel-Efficiency

What can you do to help What can you do to help solve the problem?solve the problem?

Simple Things To Do Turn off your computer or the TV when you’re not using it.

Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy.

Keep rooms cool by closing the blinds, shades, or curtains.

Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Use compact fluorescent bulbs.

Simple Things To Do Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning up

the air conditioning. Or use a fan.

Dress warmly when it’s cold instead of turning up the heat.

Offer to help your parents keep the air filters on your AC and furnace clean.

Walk short distances instead of asking for a ride in the car.

Plant a tree. Recycle.

The ozone hole (O3)

O O

O

Earth’s Atmosphere

When was it discovered?In 1985, the Ozone Hole was discovered with the size of the United States, over Antarctica.

The ozone layer •The ozone layer, situated in the stratosphere about 15 to 30 km above the Earth's surface.

•Ozone protects living organisms by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun.

•The ozone layer is being destroyed by CFCs and other substances.

Why is the ozone layer important to life on Earth? The stratospheric ozone

layer completely stops the penetration of UV-C rays and eliminates most of the UV-B rays.

Therefore, the ozone layer protects life on Earth from the harmful effects of solar radiation on a daily basis.

Specific damage by UV light Sunburn Clouding of the cornea and formation of

cataract Skin cancer (melanoma) Reduced rates of photosynthesis

Ozone in the atmosphere

Ozone (O3) forms under the effect of UV light in the stratosphere.

Ozone can also form in the troposphere.

It is produced by motor vehicules so it is a pollutant.

What are CFCs? Used as propellants

in aerosol spray cans.

Used as refrigerants in fridges, freezers and air conditioning units.

What can be done? Reduce the use of CFCs. They are already banned in

aerosols (1987). BUT they are still used as

refrigerants. Recycle fridges and air

conditioning plants. Skin Protection,sunglasses,…

What is an Earthquake?

• An earthquake is the vibration of Earth produced by the rapid release of energy.

• An earthquake produces waves that travel throughout the Earth called seismic waves.

How are the Earthquakes produced?

• Associated with faulting or breaking of rocks

• Continuing adjustment of position results in aftershocks.

The Focus and Epicenter of an Earthquake

Where Do Earthquakes Occur?

80% of all earthquakes occur in the circum-Pacific belt.Examples: 1. India

2. Haiti

3. Spain

What are the effects?• Building collapse• Fire• Tsunami• Dies

What is a tsunami?

• Tsunami is a sea wave.• It is formed when mass

movement suddenly displaces a large amount of water.

• It is a disastrous wave.

When Tsunami will occur?Tsunami can be generated when the sea floor abruptly deforms and vertically displaces the overlying water.

Tsunami CausesEarthquakes (e.g. Sumatra, 2004: >200,000 people killed).

Volcanic eruptions (e.g. Krakatoa, 1883: tsunamis killed 30,000 people).

Extraterrestrial Impacts - large impacts have the potential to create enormous tsunamis.

Where happens?Pacific ~ 80%Atlantic ~ 10%Elsewhere ~ 10%

Example: Sumatra Tsunami 2004

Example: Thailand

What can we do? Setting Earthquake prediction and warning system.‧Improving modern technology and construction regulations.‧Land use zoning.‧Education and emergency plans.