Chapter 4 Land, Water and Air Resources Section 4 Air Pollution and Solutions Notes 4-4

What’s in the Air? Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, and other gases Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Water Vapor, and other gases All living things depend on these gases All living things depend on these gases Air Pollution: any change to the atmosphere that has harmful effects Air Pollution: any change to the atmosphere that has harmful effects Pollutants: cause pollution Pollutants: cause pollution Particles of solids (asbestos) and gases (chlorine fumes) Particles of solids (asbestos) and gases (chlorine fumes) Emissions: particles and gases released into the atmosphere Emissions: particles and gases released into the atmosphere Vehicles, air planes, anything motorized, volcanoes Vehicles, air planes, anything motorized, volcanoes

Smog Photochemical smog: Photochemical smog: Thick, brownish haze formed when gases in the air react with sunlight Thick, brownish haze formed when gases in the air react with sunlight Caused by gases emitted by automobiles and trucks Caused by gases emitted by automobiles and trucks Gases formed when gasoline is not completely burned Gases formed when gasoline is not completely burned Hydrocarbons: compounds containing hydrogen and carbon Hydrocarbons: compounds containing hydrogen and carbon Nitrogen oxides: contain nitrogen and oxygen Nitrogen oxides: contain nitrogen and oxygen React with sunlight and form ozone React with sunlight and form ozone Toxic Toxic Major chemical in smog Major chemical in smog

Clear Day In Houston Smog Day In Houston

Temperature Inversion Layer of cold air trapped next to the surface by warm air Layer of cold air trapped next to the surface by warm air Polluted air is trapped with the cold air Polluted air is trapped with the cold air Normally warm air is closest to the surface and it gets colder as the distance increases Normally warm air is closest to the surface and it gets colder as the distance increases Pollutants are then allowed to escape with the rising warm air Pollutants are then allowed to escape with the rising warm air

Temperature Inversion

Effects of Smog Itchy, watery eyes Itchy, watery eyes Scratchy throat Scratchy throat Lung problems Lung problems Harm bodies defense against disease Harm bodies defense against disease During a smog alert During a smog alert Asthma patients should stay indoors Asthma patients should stay indoors No outside activities for anyone. No outside activities for anyone.

Acid Rain Precipitation that is more acidic than normal Precipitation that is more acidic than normal When coal and oil are burned, they produce nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. When coal and oil are burned, they produce nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. These form nitric acid and sulfuric acid when mixed with water vapor These form nitric acid and sulfuric acid when mixed with water vapor Can also be snow, sleet, or fog Can also be snow, sleet, or fog

Acid Rain Changes the pH of lakes or ponds Changes the pH of lakes or ponds Causes survival rate of fish and turtles to decline Causes survival rate of fish and turtles to decline Affects plants also Affects plants also Changes the nutrient level in the soil Changes the nutrient level in the soil Affects certain types of stone Affects certain types of stone Limestone and marble are eaten away Limestone and marble are eaten away Eats away paint and that causes metal to rust Eats away paint and that causes metal to rust

Indoor Air Pollution Air inside can be even worse than outside Air inside can be even worse than outside Dust, pet hair and air fresheners Dust, pet hair and air fresheners Asbestos (building material used in old buildings) causes cancer and lung disease Asbestos (building material used in old buildings) causes cancer and lung disease Paints and cleaning supplies can give off toxic fumes Paints and cleaning supplies can give off toxic fumes Smoke from cigarettes or cigars Smoke from cigarettes or cigars

Indoor Air Pollution Carbon Monoxide: (CO) Carbon Monoxide: (CO) Colorless, odorless gas that forms when wood, coal, oil or gas is burned Colorless, odorless gas that forms when wood, coal, oil or gas is burned Can build up in enclosed areas Can build up in enclosed areas Must use a carbon monoxide detector to determine if the gas is present Must use a carbon monoxide detector to determine if the gas is present

Indoor Air Pollution Radon: Radon: Colorless, odorless gas that is radioactive Colorless, odorless gas that is radioactive Formed by certain rocks underground and seeps into basements through cracks Formed by certain rocks underground and seeps into basements through cracks May cause lung cancer or other health problems if breathed in over many years May cause lung cancer or other health problems if breathed in over many years Good ventilation will prevent the build up of this gas Good ventilation will prevent the build up of this gas tml tml tml tml

Reducing Air Pollution Clean Air Act: development of air pollution control technologies Clean Air Act: development of air pollution control technologies The key to reducing air pollution is to control emissions. The key to reducing air pollution is to control emissions. Requires new technologies Requires new technologies Effort from everyone Effort from everyone

Reducing Air Pollution Scrubber: removes pollutants from air with a stream of water droplets Scrubber: removes pollutants from air with a stream of water droplets Pollutants fall into a container after being dissolved in the water Pollutants fall into a container after being dissolved in the water Filters: trap particles of soot and ash Filters: trap particles of soot and ash Catalytic Converter: device on vehicles Catalytic Converter: device on vehicles Reduces carbon monoxide emissions by forming less harmful carbon dioxide and water Reduces carbon monoxide emissions by forming less harmful carbon dioxide and water

What can you do? Little changes can make a big difference Little changes can make a big difference Walk or ride a bike Walk or ride a bike Save electricity by turning off lights and other devices Save electricity by turning off lights and other devices Carpool Carpool Buy a more fuel efficient vehicle Buy a more fuel efficient vehicle