Unit 8 (Air & Global Warming) Agenda Monday – Outdoor air pollutants (hw assigned- notes ) Tuesday – Smog, Acid Dep & Ozone (hw assigned- notes & Study for Quiz) Blockday– Outdoor air pollutants Quiz, Indoor Air Poll. & Global Warming (hw assigned- notes (begin working on S.G 1-8)) Friday – GreenHouseGases (hw assigned- notes S.G 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 pollution In 2008, the U.S. emitted 123 million tons of the six monitored pollutants The average U.S. driver emits 6 metric tons of CO 2 /yr as well as other pollutants!

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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.CaliforniaGolden Gate Bridge

Smog Forms...when polluted air is stagnant (weather conditions, geographic location)

Types of Smog Smog - 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 SO 2 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

Natural Capital Degradation: 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

Solutions: Acid Deposition