Air Quality Air quality affects the quality of life for all organisms on Earth. Air quality affects the quality of life for all organisms on Earth. Natural as well as human activities influence the quality of air on Earth. Natural as well as human activities influence the quality of air on Earth.

Air Quality The environment may contain dangerous levels of substances that are harmful to human beings. The environment may contain dangerous levels of substances that are harmful to human beings. Therefore, the good health of individuals requires monitoring the soil, air and water and taking steps to make them safe. Therefore, the good health of individuals requires monitoring the soil, air and water and taking steps to make them safe.

Air Quality Technology has allowed us to measure the characteristics of the air and to monitor how air quality changes. Technology has allowed us to measure the characteristics of the air and to monitor how air quality changes. This information helps us to make informed decisions to protect air quality and risks to human health and other organisms. This information helps us to make informed decisions to protect air quality and risks to human health and other organisms.

Natural Air Pollutants Air pollution does not exist entirely of man made substances. Air pollution does not exist entirely of man made substances. Many pollutants are released directly from natural sources and pose as much of a health hazard as man made substances. Many pollutants are released directly from natural sources and pose as much of a health hazard as man made substances. Natural events such as forest fires, volcanic eruptions as well as plant pollen, radon, mold spores and dust from plowed fields. Natural events such as forest fires, volcanic eruptions as well as plant pollen, radon, mold spores and dust from plowed fields.

Human Induced Air Pollution 1. Fossil Fuels 2. Acid Rain 3. Smog/Air Particulates

Fossil Fuels The main cause of air pollution is from the burning of fossil fuels (so the best way to improve air quality is to use less fossil fuels!) The main cause of air pollution is from the burning of fossil fuels (so the best way to improve air quality is to use less fossil fuels!) The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Ex. Coal, oil shale and natural gas Ex. Coal, oil shale and natural gas Called fossil fuels because of how they form (come from plant/animal remains and take a VERY long time to form) Called fossil fuels because of how they form (come from plant/animal remains and take a VERY long time to form)

Problems with Fossil Fuels 1. Cause acid rain 2. Will run out in the near future 3. Cause global warming

Acid Rain Acid rain is rain that has become much more acidic than normal because of pollution. Acid rain is rain that has become much more acidic than normal because of pollution. Factories, power plants and many forms of transportation release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen into the air, which mix with water vapor to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Factories, power plants and many forms of transportation release sulfur dioxide and nitrogen into the air, which mix with water vapor to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

Acid Rain The acids mix with cloud droplets and eventually fall to Earth as precipitation The acids mix with cloud droplets and eventually fall to Earth as precipitation Wind blows pollution all around the globe, so acid rain may fall far from the source of the pollution. Wind blows pollution all around the globe, so acid rain may fall far from the source of the pollution. Acid rain harms trees and makes lakes more acidic which makes it hard for fish and other organisms to survive. It also harms buildings and sculptures. Acid rain harms trees and makes lakes more acidic which makes it hard for fish and other organisms to survive. It also harms buildings and sculptures.

Smog Smog is a colloid (a mixture) of smoke, fog and chemicals. Smog is a colloid (a mixture) of smoke, fog and chemicals. Many areas have smog, which is bad because smog irritates the lungs. Many areas have smog, which is bad because smog irritates the lungs.

Effects of Air Pollution 1. The Greenhouse Effect 2. Global Warming 3. Ozone Depletion

Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse Effect: Natural process that warms Earth’s lower atmosphere and surface Greenhouse Effect: Natural process that warms Earth’s lower atmosphere and surface Nitrogen and Oxygen make up 99% of the volume of clean, dry air (1% water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and others) Nitrogen and Oxygen make up 99% of the volume of clean, dry air (1% water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane and others)

Greenhouse Effect The 2 most important heat absorbing gases in the lower atmosphere are water vapor and carbon dioxide The 2 most important heat absorbing gases in the lower atmosphere are water vapor and carbon dioxide Water vapor and CO 2 create a blanket over Earth. Without it, the planet would cool to subzero temperatures within hours at night time. Water vapor and CO 2 create a blanket over Earth. Without it, the planet would cool to subzero temperatures within hours at night time.

Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse gases allow incoming radiation from the sun to pass through (they are transparent) and absorb Earth’s radiation, thus creating heat. Greenhouse gases allow incoming radiation from the sun to pass through (they are transparent) and absorb Earth’s radiation, thus creating heat. Rapid growth of industry in the past 200 years has led to the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases. Rapid growth of industry in the past 200 years has led to the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases.

Fossil Fuels and Greenhouse Burning fossil fuels increases the greenhouse effect by releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than Earth can handle. Burning fossil fuels increases the greenhouse effect by releasing more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than Earth can handle.

Global Warming During the 20 th century, Earth’s average surface temperature has increased (worst in the past 30 years) During the 20 th century, Earth’s average surface temperature has increased (worst in the past 30 years) Global Warming is an increase in the overall temperature caused by HUMAN actions. Global Warming is an increase in the overall temperature caused by HUMAN actions.

Causes of Global Warming The main causes of global warming are: The main causes of global warming are: 1. Burning of fossil fuels (more CO 2 ) 2. CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons-air conditioners, aerosol sprays CFC’s absorb more heat than natural greenhouse gases do CFC’s absorb more heat than natural greenhouse gases do

Consequences of Global Warming Melting of polar ice will increase the amount of seawater there is which will erode and flood coastlines. Melting of polar ice will increase the amount of seawater there is which will erode and flood coastlines. Long term changes in climate patterns: more drought as well as more flooding Long term changes in climate patterns: more drought as well as more flooding

Consequences of Global Warming More hurricanes and tornadoes because of the increase in ocean water and atmosphere temperatures More hurricanes and tornadoes because of the increase in ocean water and atmosphere temperatures (warmer water=stronger hurricanes) Changes in climate=changes in ecosystems and organisms (harmful bacteria can survive longer) Changes in climate=changes in ecosystems and organisms (harmful bacteria can survive longer)

Greenhouse and Global Warming As the greenhouse effect increases, so does global warming. As the greenhouse effect increases, so does global warming. In order to slow global warming, we need to find a way to emit less greenhouse gases. In order to slow global warming, we need to find a way to emit less greenhouse gases.

Ozone The form of oxygen that combines three oxygen atoms in each molecule is known as ozone (O 3 ) The form of oxygen that combines three oxygen atoms in each molecule is known as ozone (O 3 ) The oxygen we breathe is O 2 The oxygen we breathe is O 2 “Good up high, bad nearby” “Good up high, bad nearby”

Ozone Humans have been using CFC’s (chloroflourocarbons) in cooling products, spray cans and foam for a long time. Humans have been using CFC’s (chloroflourocarbons) in cooling products, spray cans and foam for a long time. CFC’s have chlorine in them which break apart an ozone molecule from O 3 to O 2. CFC’s have chlorine in them which break apart an ozone molecule from O 3 to O 2. The same atom of chlorine can do this over and over and no new ozone is formed, which has lead to the ozone hole. The same atom of chlorine can do this over and over and no new ozone is formed, which has lead to the ozone hole.

Air Pollution Regulation Laws exist to help control and reduce air pollution. Laws exist to help control and reduce air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides daily information about air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides daily information about air quality. Local weather channels also issue information related to the health of the atmosphere. Local weather channels also issue information related to the health of the atmosphere.