Air Pollution and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Chapter 15 Air Pollution and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Air Pollution Air pollution- the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or microorganisms into the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to harm plants, animals, and materials such as buildings, or to alter ecosystems. This is at the level of the troposphere – ground level. There are natural and anthropogenic sources.

Major Air Pollutants These are all criteria air pollutants because under the Clean Air Act 1970 the EPA must set allowable concentrations of each pollutant. Sulfur Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Oxides Particulate Matter - haze Volatiles Organic Compounds Ozone - (oxidants + particulates = smog) (photochemical smog = brown/LA = dominated by ozone) (Sulfurous smog = London/gray smog) Lead Mercury

Primary Pollutants Secondary Pollutants Primary pollutants- polluting compounds that come directly out of the smoke-stack, exhaust pipe, or natural emission source. Examples: CO, CO2, SO2, NOx, and most suspended particulate matter. Secondary Pollutants Secondary pollutants- pollutants that have undergone transformation in the presence of sunlight, water, oxygen, or other compounds. Examples: ozone, sulfate and nitrate

Natural Sources of Air Pollution Volcanoes Lightning Forest fires Plants

Anthropogenic Sources of Air Pollution On-road vehicles Power plants Industrial processes Waste disposal

Bejing

Bejing Air Pollution

The Chemistry of Photochemical Smog

Thermal Inversions Thermal Inversion- when a relatively warm layer of air at mid- altitude covers a layer of cold, dense air below. The warm inversion layer traps emissions that then accumulate beneath it.

Acid Deposition

Effects of Acid Deposition Lowering the pH of lake water Decreasing species diversity of aquatic organisms Mobilizing metals that are found in soils and releasing these into surface waters – which affect their morphology or food. Damaging statues, monuments, and buildings

Ways to Prevent Air Pollution Removing sulfur dioxide from coal by fluidized bed combustion – this occurs when granulated coal is burned in close proximity to calcium carbonate. The heated calcium carbonate absorbs sulfur dioxide to produce calcium sulfate, which is turned into gypsum for wallboard in homes. Catalytic converters on cars Scrubbers on smoke stacks Baghouse filters Electrostatic precipitators

The Baghouse Filter

The Electrostatic Precipitator

Scrubber

Stratospheric Ozone The stratospheric ozone layer exists roughly 45-60 kilometers above the Earth. Ozone has the ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation and protect life on Earth.

Formation and Breakdown of Ozone First, UV-C radiation breaks the bonds holding together the oxygen molecule, leaving two free oxygen atoms: O2 + UV-C -> 2O Sometimes the free oxygen atoms result in ozone: O2 + O -> O3 Ozone is broken down into O2 and free oxygen atoms when it absorbs both UV-C and UV-B ultraviolet light: O3 + UV-B or UV-C -> O2 + O

Anthropogenic Contributions to Ozone Destruction Certain chemicals can break down ozone, particularly chlorine. The major source of chlorine in the stratosphere is a compound known as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) CFCs are used in refrigeration and air conditioning, as propellants in aerosol cans and as “blowing agents” to inject air into foam products like Styrofoam.

Anthropogenic Contributions to Ozone Destruction When CFCs are released into the troposphere they don’t degrade, dissolve in water, or change chemically and make their way to the stratosphere. The ultraviolet radiation present has enough energy to break the bond connecting chlorine to the CFC molecule. First, chlorine breaks ozone’s bonds and pulls off one atom of oxygen, forming a chlorine monoxide molecule and O2: O3 + Cl -> ClO + O2 Next, a free oxygen atoms pulls the oxygen atom from ClO, liberating the chlorine and creating one oxygen molecule: ClO + O -> Cl + O2 One chlorine atom can catalyze the breakdown of as many as 100,000 ozone molecules before it leaves the stratosphere.

Depletion of the Ozone Layer Global Ozone concentrations had decreased by more than 10% and was the greatest at the poles Decreased stratospheric ozone has increased the amount of UV-B radiation that reaches the surface of Earth. This leads to higher rates of skin cancer, cataracts, other eye problems and a suppressed immune system.

Efforts to Reduce Ozone Depletion Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 1987 – Was signed by 27 countries to commit to a 50% reduction in CFC’s by 2000. The US put the protection of the global biosphere ahead of its economic self interests. Other more stringent ammendments were signed by 180 countries, including the elimination of CFC production for developing countries by 1996. This stabilized the concentration of Cl in the stratosphere at 5ppb and should reduce it to 1 ppb by 2100.

Indoor Air pollution Indoor Air Pollution leads to more deaths each year than outdoor air pollution. Many developing households use wood, coal, or manure to heat and cook in their home with no exhaust or ventilation. This leads to acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, and cancer. WHO estimates that indoor air pollution is responsible for 1.6 million deaths a year worldwide. 56% are children under 5 years old. 90% of these deaths are in developing countries.

Some Sources of Indoor Air pollution in the Developed World

Sick Building Syndrome In the interest of saving energy and making a new building air tight to reduce heating and cooling may cause the buildup of toxic pollutants in this air tight space. 4 reasons for sick building syndrome. Inadequate ventilation Chemical contamination from indoor sources (glues, carpets, furniture, and cleaning agents) Chemical contamination from an outdoor source Biological contamination from in or outdoors (mold or pollen)