Major
pollutants in air: Sources
CO carbon monoxide
CO2 carbon dioxide
SO2 sulfur dioxide
NOx nitrogen oxides
CH4 methane
CFCs
volatile hydrocarbons
particulates
Smog: cause
and effect Beijing
and Los
Angeles
Acid
Rain
SO2 and NO2 react with water to form acids. Formation
of acid rain.
Much rain is typically acidic now, occasionally as low as pH 2.
Limestone substrates neutralize it, other areas severely affected.
Kills or weakens plants, mychorrhizae, aquatic life.
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) in upper
atmosphere deplete ozone layer.
Chlorine reacts with ozone reducing it to
atmospheric oxygen. Fig. 1.6
Increased levels of UV light result
"Hole"
over Antarctica - Graph of hole
size - Graph
of ozone layer thickness
Global Warming
reradiated heat trapped by these gases - greenhouse
effect
CO2 , CFCs, methane,
ozone, NOx are all greenhouse
gases - pie chart
Fig. 40.5
CO2 is most responsible - burning fossil fuels,
cars, industry and burning forests. Carbon
cycle.
CO2 emissions (a) by
country (b) per capita
global temperature is rising 2-5 degrees F -
mean global
temps 1880-1995 Map
of world
may cause shifts of biomes and climate belts
ice caps
are melting: Simulation
rising sea levels may displace many people -
Florida
and London
with a 1-meter rise. map
of southeastern U.S.
expansion of distribution of tropical diseases like malaria
Turbines
drive generators to make electricity
Fossils
fuels mining Oil
spills
Nuclear
energy Chernobyl
accident
Ethanol
Available
solar
and wind energy
Solar: solar
cell; solar
panels; solar
panels on building; 1939 solar house.
Map
Pollution:
soil and water
These
2 must go together because whatever is dumped on the land will eventually end
up in the water.
Point
source pollution
Non-point
source
pollution
Pesticides and other toxins
poisons in food
chain - DDT, lead, arsenic, mercury- Image
biological magnification - Image
Impervious covers:
roads and parking
lots
Soil erosion,
compaction
Toxic
wastes from landfills and dumps
Trash - imperils both soil, water and animals.
Graph
and pie
chart
Common
recycling items: aluminum cans, glass, plastics,
paper, tin cans, plstic grocery bags, cardboard
Never
put these is a landfill:
batteries,
cell phones, computers
and their components, paint, motor oil, hazard waste, tires
Water pollution and overconsumption
From nitrogen and phosphorus added to water
- eutrophic lake
Causes excessive algal growth and fish kills
From
agricultural (livestock & crops) and sewage contamination and other
