1. Air and Air Quality IAFNR MODULE 4 NATURAL RESOURCES

2. Our Atmosphere Atmosphere –Mass of air and gasses surrounding the earth Mostly nitrogen (N 2 ) accounting for 78% Oxygen (O 2 ) makes up about 21% 1% for all other gasses including – Water vapor in clouds, argon gas, carbon dioxide, ozone and others Troposphere –Known as the lower atmosphere, extends upward from earth’s surface Other Layers of the atmosphere –Stratosphere –Mesosphere –Thermosphere Breath in! Ah! Can you feel that? That’s the air of our atmosphere!

3. Image retrieved from: http://atmospherenincyhector.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.htmlhttp://atmospherenincyhector.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html Our Atmosphere

4. Air Quality In reality, no such thing as completely clean air (like water) Atmosphere constantly affected by impurities –Ex: dust and ash from burning space particles and meteorites Particulate Matter –Pieces of solid material or liquid suspended in the atmosphere Ex: Salt sprays, dust from land, pollen –Picked up as air moves across earth’s surface Human activity introduces unnatural gasses to atmosphere –Anthropogenic- describes things that are caused by human activity

5. Air Quality Other Gasses –Be aware Some are toxic in high concentrations Some contribute to the greenhouse effect –Recognize this? Carbon Monoxide detector – Do you have one in your house? Image retrieved from: http://www.safety4sea. com/two-die-after- inhaling-toxic-gases- on-board-ship-17326 http://www.safety4sea. com/two-die-after- inhaling-toxic-gases- on-board-ship-17326 Image retrieved from: http://ericsenergy.c om/faqs/do-we- need-a-carbon- monoxide-detector- in-our-home/ http://ericsenergy.c om/faqs/do-we- need-a-carbon- monoxide-detector- in-our-home/

6. Other Gasses –Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Colorless, odorless, nontoxic gas By product of burning carbon-based material and the respiration process –Carbon Monoxide(CO) Colorless, odorless, flammable gas Naturally occurring in the atmosphere it is not harmful In high concentrations it’s toxic to humans and animals Most emissions come from transportation- related sources –Nitrogen Oxides Generated from the burning of fossil fuels Thought to intensify asthma, produce ozone and contribute to acid rain –Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Strictly anthropogenic- used in industry as refrigerants and as cleaning agents Connected to depletion of Ozone –Ozone (O 3 ) Form of oxygen gas throughout atmosphere – Highest concentrations in the stratosphere know as the ozone layer Most common in areas with electrical discharges, thunder storms and electric motors –Methane (NH 4 ) Colorless, odorless, flammable gas Powerful greenhouse gas produced from decomposing organic matter –Lead Almost completely removed from atmosphere – Used to be significant problem with presence in gasoline and paint –Sulfur In atmosphere through fires, volcanic eruptions, and industrialized areas Contributes to acid rain when combined with oxygen

7. Greenhouse Effect What is the Greenhouse Effect? –The process by which infrared radiation produces an increase in the observable temperature in a closed system You’ve probably experienced Greenhouse Effect before…. –Ever sit in a car during a hot sunny day? What was the temperature like in the car?

8. Greenhouse Effect

9. Why is air quality important? Air is a natural resource we use everyday! How are we going to lessen our impact on the atmosphere? Image retrieved from: http://www.freedominstitute.org/college-admission-madness/http://www.freedominstitute.org/college-admission-madness/

10. References Atmosphere. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atmosphere http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atmosphere Camp, W., & Heath-Camp, B. (2009) Managing our Natural Resources. New York: Delmar. Dialogue Worldwide. (Nov 5, 2012). What is the greenhouse effect? Global Ideas. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPJJM_hCFj0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPJJM_hCFj0