Pollution and the Environment

2 Types of Pollution: Point Source Pollution: pollution generated by a specific source ex. factory wastes, car exhaust, sewage plant waste

ex. excess fertilizers, herbicides, car oil, road salt, garbage Non-Point Source Pollution: pollution that comes from many different sources and is moved by runoff after it rains ex. excess fertilizers, herbicides, car oil, road salt, garbage

Non-point source pollution is harder to control and monitor than point source pollution because it comes from many different sources and it moved about randomly from its place of origin

Air Composition of Air: 78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen 1% Carbon Dioxide and other gases

definition: a change to the atmosphere that has harmful effects What is Air Pollution? definition: a change to the atmosphere that has harmful effects

Pollutant: substance that causes pollution Examples: carbon monoxide hydrocarbons (from cars) sulfur dioxide (from burning of coal and oil)

Emissions: Particles and gases that are released into the air

Emissions come from things like factories, power plants and transportation!

Air Pollution from Natural Sources Volcanic Eruptions Forest Fires Pollen Dust from Soil

Major source of smog: gases emitted by automobiles Smog: thick brownish haze formed when hydrocarbons in the air react with sunlight (contains ozone) Major source of smog: gases emitted by automobiles

Acid Rain When fossil fuels are burned, gases called nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides are released. These gases react with water vapor in the air, forming nitric acid and sulfuric acid.

Acid rain can be harmful to many things including fish, forests, buildings and cars Most acid rain comes from fossils fuels burned in factories!

Types of Indoor Air Pollution Radon Environmental Tobacco Smoke Biological Contaminants (bacteria, mold, dust mites) Combustion Products (CO) Household Products (Cleaning Products) Lead

The Ozone Layer Definition: upper layer of the atmosphere (about 30 km above Earth’s surface) gives protection from UV radiation

What is the connection between the ozone layer and global warming? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

Global Warming Theory that predicts that the increase of carbon dioxide in the air will cause the average temperature to increase

The increase in carbon dioxide is due to the burning of fossil fuels

Greenhouse Effect Definition: trapping of heat near the Earth’s surface water vapor, carbon dioxide and other gases allow sunlight to reach Earth’ surface but prevent heat from escaping back into space

Without the greenhouse effect, Earth would be about 33º colder

Reducing Air Pollution scrubbers are filters are used to trap emissions from industries catalytic converters are used in cars to reduce emissions CFC use has been drastically reduced

Environmental Laws Clean Air Act, 1990 Kyoto Protocol National Law that puts limits on air pollution and smog Kyoto Protocol International treaty to reduce greenhouse gases Over 170 countries are participating exception – U.S.