Ecological Concerns Topic *1012 *1014 *1017 *1093 Ms. Morris

Acid Rain Rain with a pH less than 5.6 Rain with a pH less than 5.6 Pollutant gasses react with moisture Pollutant gasses react with moisture More of a problem in eastern US More of a problem in eastern US –Why?

The weather starts collecting particles on the west side of the US, and deposits them on the east side!! The weather starts collecting particles on the west side of the US, and deposits them on the east side!! Wind Movement!!!

Ozone Depletion Caused by UV (ultraviolet) light breaking a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) bond Caused by UV (ultraviolet) light breaking a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) bond Ozone is 731 miles above the earth Ozone is 731 miles above the earth Ozone depletion causes an increase in the amount of UV rays reaching the surface Ozone depletion causes an increase in the amount of UV rays reaching the surface

Ozone Depletion

Global Warming Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other greenhouse gasses trap in sun light and warms the Earth Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other greenhouse gasses trap in sun light and warms the Earth

Ideally All or most of the suns rays would reflect off the earth and leave the atmosphere All or most of the suns rays would reflect off the earth and leave the atmosphere

Actually The layer of greenhouse gasses trap sunlight in, heating the Earth The layer of greenhouse gasses trap sunlight in, heating the Earth

Species Loss & Habitat Destruction Remember the food web? Remember the food web? What would happen if we took just one species out? What would happen if we took just one species out?

Species Loss & Habitat Destruction Removing one species from the food web: Removing one species from the food web: –Decreases genetic diversity –Some surviving species become threatened or endangered

Rainforests and Wetlands These are the most beneficial biomes These are the most beneficial biomes –Wetlands help control flooding –Both support lots of life forms LARGE species diversity of all life forms in both areas LARGE species diversity of all life forms in both areas Wetlands are being industrialized Wetlands are being industrialized Rainforests are being cut down Rainforests are being cut down

Wetlands in Yellowstone Image:

Questions Explain what pH has to do with acid rain. Explain what pH has to do with acid rain. Why is acid rain a bigger problem in the eastern US? Why is acid rain a bigger problem in the eastern US? What are CFC’s, and why should we be worried about them? What are CFC’s, and why should we be worried about them? Turn this in to Ms. Morris by the end of the class (10 points). Turn this in to Ms. Morris by the end of the class (10 points).