1. 1 Air Pollution – NOTES are in BOLD Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth. - Henry David Thoreau

2. What do these pictures mean to you?? Speak with your neighbor for 20 sec be ready to share 2

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4. 4 CLIMATE PROCESSES AND AIR POLLUTION Air pollution - any contaminant added to the air that is harmful to the health of living organisms. Air pollution can be carried great distances. - Industrial contaminants can be found in places that have virtually no population. - Contaminants especially concentrate at the poles.

5. 5 AIR POLLUTION CLASSIFICATION - Review  Primary Pollutants - Released directly into the air  Secondary Pollutants - Formed as a result of a chemical reaction in the air. - Smog – Reaction of sunlight with nitrogen oxide. - Acid Rain – Reaction of sulfur dioxide with water to form sulfuric acid. - Ozone – Reaction of nitrogen oxides with volatile organic compounds. Pick one to write down

6. Air Pollution and Topography The effects of air pollution are also influenced by the shape of the land. Temperature inversions occur when a layer of dense, cool air is trapped below a layer of lighter, warmer air.  Most likely to occur in valleys and canyons and no wind.  Temperature inversions trap any air pollution produced, making levels much higher. 6

7. Temperature Inversion 7

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9. 9 Clean Air Act The most significant parts of the U.S. Clean Air Act took effect in 1970. The six causes of air pollution are.  Sulfur Dioxide  Carbon Monoxide  Particulates  Ozone  Nitrogen Oxides  Lead

10. 10 Criteria Pollutants  Sulfur dioxide - Colorless gas often associated with “rotten eggs” smells - Biggest source: coal burning power plants  Nitrogen oxides - Reacts with water vapor to form nitric acid - Reacts with sunlight to form smog. - Biggest source: car exhaust

11. 11 Criteria Pollutants  Ozone - Molecule made of three oxygen atoms - Pale blue gas, odor resembling chlorine bleach - Secondary pollutant; not released directly  Lead - Enters the air as particles or part of dust. - The biggest source used to be exhaust from cars using leaded gas; now it is industry and burning fossil fuels.

12. 12 Criteria Pollutants  Carbon Monoxide - Colorless, odorless, highly toxic gas - Binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, interfering with oxygen transport - Biggest source: car exhaust  Particulate Matter - Dust, ash, soot, lint, smoke, pollen, spores, and all other suspended matter. - Cause the most visibility problems - Biggest source: unpaved road dust and construction

13. Pollutant video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtdKRvW C1yQ 13

14. 14 Clean Air Act again… The Clean Air Act was amended in 1990 and included additional controls for:  Acid Rain  Urban Smog  Toxic and Hazardous Air Pollutants  Protection of the Ozone Layer  Leakage of volatile organic compounds

15. 15 Atmospheric Ozone Ozone is a gas found in the upper atmosphere that blocks some UV radiation. Scientists discovered that atmospheric ozone levels were dropping rapidly every year, during September and October.  Occurring since at least 1960.  A 1% decrease in ozone results in a 2% increase in UV rays reaching the earth.  The ozone was being depleted by pollutants containing chlorine.

16. Ozone Hole 16

17. 17 Stratospheric Ozone Cont’d A concentration of pollution at the poles and other factors caused chlorine pollution to be concentrated in Antarctica. - When the sun returns in the spring, the energy liberates the chlorine from ice. - Chlorine causes ozone (O 3 ) to be broken down into oxygen (O 2 ).

18. 18 Montreal Protocol The main pollutant behind ozone depletion was chloroflurocarbons (CFCs).  Used in coolants (refrigerators, air conditioners) and aerosols (hair spray, spray paint). The Montreal Protocol was passed in 1989.  Countries agreed to phase out CFC use by the year 2000.  CFC levels in the atmosphere decreased and the ozone layer is beginning to recover.

19. 19 Speak with your group what is this showing??

20. 20 EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION Human Health  EPA estimates each year 50,000 people die prematurely from illnesses related to air pollution. - Likelihood of suffering ill health is related to intensity and duration of exposure.  Inhalation is the most common route, but absorption through the skin and consumption via food can also occur.

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22. 22 Plant Pathology Chemical pollutants can directly damage plants, or can cause indirect damage by disrupting normal growth and development patterns. - Pollutant levels too low to cause visible effects may still be damaging.

23. Visibility Reduction The production of pollution haze or smog can reduce visibility by as much as 80 percent. 23

24. Air Quality Index 24

25. Answer the questions in the output (left side) with your groups, please copy down the questions. 1. How can you tell if the air is clean or dirty? 2. What are some pollutants? 3. What is a sensitive group? 4. How can you tell if air pollution is affecting me? 5. So if the AQI is orange or worse, do I have to stay inside all day? 6. What can you do to lower your risk from air pollution? 7. How can you lower pollution?