unit 8 (air & global warming) agenda monday – outdoor air pollutants (hw assigned- notes...
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Unit 8 (Air & Global Warming) Agenda
• Monday – Outdoor air pollutants (hw assigned- notes 417-424)
• Tuesday – Smog, Acid Dep & Ozone (hw assigned- notes 427-430 & Study for Quiz)
• Blockday– Outdoor air pollutants Quiz, Indoor Air Poll. & Global Warming (hw assigned- notes 518-525 (begin working on S.G 1-8))
• Friday – GreenHouseGases (hw assigned- notes S.G 9-15• Monday – Consequences of Global Warming (hw
assigned- study for test)• Tuesday – Unit 8 Test (30 MCQ)
Legislation addresses pollution
The Clean Air Act of 1970 / The Clean Air Act of 1990
Areas in the U.S. fail air quality standards
Many Americans live in areas with unhealthy levels of criteria pollutants
Agencies monitor emissions
U.S. air pollutionIn 2008, the U.S. emitted 123 million tons of the six monitored pollutants
The average U.S. driver emits 6 metric tons of CO2/yr as well as other pollutants!
O3
Check in
• Ground level ozone is classified as a pollutant because it reduces lung functionality AND
• a. its concentrations are low but the particle size is high
• b. it occurs in the atmosphere only • c. it is entirely anthropogenic in nature • d. it can degrade plant surfaces • e. it is an unstable molecule • What type of air pollutions would be most prevalent in
LA?
• Which of the following correctly lists the 6 “criteria” air pollutants as specified under the Clean Air Act?
• a. Pb, SO2, NOX, CO, PM, and tropospheric O3 • b. Tropospheric O3, SO2, NOX, PM, Pb, and CO2 • c. SO2, NOX, Hg, Pb, PM, and O3 • d. SO4, NOX, CO, PM, Pb, and tropospheric O3 • e. SO2, NOX, CO, Hg, PM, and tropospheric O3
• Which of the following is INCORRECT regarding SO2?
• a. It is a respiratory irritant • b. It can adversely affect plant tissues • c. It has only anthropogenic sources • d. It results from the combustion of coal
and oil • e. It is a corrosive gas
• Characteristic coloration for smog in California in the beige cloud bank behind the Golden Gate Bridge. The brown coloration is due to the NOx in the photochemical smog.
Smog Forms • ...when polluted air is stagnant (weather
conditions, geographic location)
Types of SmogSmog - atmospheric pollutants combined with fog in an unhealthy or irritating mixture Two Types • Sulfurous Smog / Industrial Smog / Fossil Fuels • Photochemical Smog / Sunlight & Pollutants
Thermal (temperature) inversion
Normal Conditions
Thermal Inversion conditions
What Is Acid Deposition and Why Is It a Problem?
• Acid deposition is caused mainly by coal-burning power plants and motor vehicle emissions, and in some regions it threatens human health, aquatic life and ecosystems, forests, and human-built structures.
• Acidic deposition results when pollutants such as SO2 and NO react in the atmosphere to produce strong acids that are deposited on Earth’s surface.
Burning fossil fuels produces acid rain
Impacts of acid deposition
pH of precipitation in the U.S.
Many regions of acidification are downwind of major sources of pollution
• The acid-neutralizing capacity of soil, rock, or water impacts the severity of acid rain’s effects
We have begun to address acid deposition
Deposition Has a Number of Harmful Effects
• Human health Respiratory disorders
• Toxins in fish • Release of toxic
metals • Aquatic ecosystems
affected Lowers pH and kills organisms
