atmospheric disturbances and global ecology air pollution ozone depletion nitrate deposition ...
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Atmospheric Disturbances Atmospheric Disturbances and Global Ecology and Global Ecology
Air pollutionAir pollution Ozone DepletionOzone Depletion Nitrate depositionNitrate deposition Acid RainAcid Rain Climate changeClimate change
Air PollutionAir Pollution Donora, PA 1948Donora, PA 1948
– 20 deaths, 3,500 people hospitalized20 deaths, 3,500 people hospitalized– Suffocating plume of sulfur dioxide, carbon Suffocating plume of sulfur dioxide, carbon
monoxide, and metal dust from local zinc monoxide, and metal dust from local zinc smelter trapped under a thermal inversion smelter trapped under a thermal inversion (warm air aloft caps off colder air in valley (warm air aloft caps off colder air in valley bottom)bottom)
– London, December of 1952: 4000 deaths in London, December of 1952: 4000 deaths in similar incidentsimilar incident
– Motivated passage of clean air legislationMotivated passage of clean air legislation
The atmosphereThe atmosphere
71.8% Nitrogen (N71.8% Nitrogen (N22))
21% Oxygen (O21% Oxygen (O22))
0.9% Argon (Ar)0.9% Argon (Ar) 0.03% Carbon Dioxide (CO0.03% Carbon Dioxide (CO22))
Role of oxygen and carbon dioxide in Role of oxygen and carbon dioxide in respiration and photosynthesisrespiration and photosynthesis
Role of nitrogen in limiting plant growthRole of nitrogen in limiting plant growth
Atmosphere (cont.)Atmosphere (cont.)
Troposphere – surface to 40,000 ft. Troposphere – surface to 40,000 ft. where the weather takes placewhere the weather takes place
Stratosphere – 40,000 – 150,000 ft.Stratosphere – 40,000 – 150,000 ft.
Contrary to popular perception, the Contrary to popular perception, the atmosphere is a very thin layer of gas atmosphere is a very thin layer of gas covering the earths surface covering the earths surface (troposphere is just 7.5 miles thick)(troposphere is just 7.5 miles thick)
Major classes of air pollutantsMajor classes of air pollutants
1) Particulate matter – dusts and mists (aerosols)1) Particulate matter – dusts and mists (aerosols)– Reduce visibility (haze)Reduce visibility (haze)– Health hazard – microscopic particles settle deeply Health hazard – microscopic particles settle deeply
into lungs (ask about fiberboard plant)into lungs (ask about fiberboard plant)– Pathogenic sporesPathogenic spores– Combines with sulfur dioxide to form industrial Combines with sulfur dioxide to form industrial
SMOGSMOG– Industrial sources – coal burning, metal smeltingIndustrial sources – coal burning, metal smelting– Agricultural sources: dry land agriculture, Agricultural sources: dry land agriculture,
overgrazingovergrazing
http://www.epa.gov/cgi-bin/airnow.cgi
Particlesyesterday
Dust storms Dust storms from Chinafrom ChinaApril 1998April 1998
People had People had to wear to wear surgical surgical
masks to masks to decrease the decrease the
dust into dust into their lungs.their lungs.
Lubbock, TX before Lubbock, TX after
2) Ozone (O2) Ozone (O33))
At ground level - the most harmful At ground level - the most harmful component of petrochemical SMOG component of petrochemical SMOG
10 to 20% of all respiratory-related 10 to 20% of all respiratory-related hospital visits in the Northeast can be hospital visits in the Northeast can be attributed to ozone pollution.attributed to ozone pollution.
Implicated in forest decline, low crop Implicated in forest decline, low crop yields near urban areas, reduces yields near urban areas, reduces visibilityvisibility
Released from your tailpipeReleased from your tailpipe
Ozone websitesOzone websites
http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/air/ozone/ozone_maps.htm#US
http://airnow.gov/
Ozone in the stratosphereOzone in the stratosphere Screens out UV-B radiation, which is Screens out UV-B radiation, which is
short-wavelength and high energyshort-wavelength and high energy Forms slowlyForms slowly Is being broken down by CFC’sIs being broken down by CFC’s Source of CFC’s: discarded Source of CFC’s: discarded
refridgerants, spray propellents, refridgerants, spray propellents, Ozone depletion has occurred Ozone depletion has occurred
worldwide, and UV-B is now elevated worldwide, and UV-B is now elevated world wideworld wide
Ozone absorbs 99% Ozone absorbs 99% of the harmful of the harmful ultraviolet (UV) ultraviolet (UV) radiation. radiation.
Ozone problemsOzone problems
CausesCauses– Eye irritationEye irritation– Respiratory tract illnessesRespiratory tract illnesses– CoughingCoughing– Shortness of breathShortness of breath– NauseaNausea– WheezingWheezing– headachesheadaches– AsthmaAsthma
3) Hydrocarbons3) Hydrocarbons Methane – linked to global warmingMethane – linked to global warming Larger molecules – volatile, evaporate to Larger molecules – volatile, evaporate to
form petrochemical smogform petrochemical smog Major sources: Methane-agriculture, long Major sources: Methane-agriculture, long
chain hydrocarbons: transportationchain hydrocarbons: transportation
Carbon Monoxide (CO) – poisonCarbon Monoxide (CO) – poison Carbon Dioxide – global climate changeCarbon Dioxide – global climate change
4) Carbon Oxides4) Carbon Oxides
5) Sulfur Oxides (SO5) Sulfur Oxides (SO22))
Major component of acid rainMajor component of acid rain Health problemHealth problem Primary sources are fixed: electrical Primary sources are fixed: electrical
generating plants, other industrial sourcesgenerating plants, other industrial sources
Allergies and AsthmaAllergies and Asthma
Allergies and asthmas are triggered or Allergies and asthmas are triggered or caused by air pollutants.caused by air pollutants.
Allergy:Allergy:– A reaction of the body to a foreign substanceA reaction of the body to a foreign substance– Substances that are produced that cause these Substances that are produced that cause these
reactions are called Allergensreactions are called Allergens Include mold, pollen, bacteria, photocopier fumes, Include mold, pollen, bacteria, photocopier fumes,
cig. Smoke, drugs, lint, animal dander, dust, foods, cig. Smoke, drugs, lint, animal dander, dust, foods, and dyes.and dyes.
Can be controlled with medicationsCan be controlled with medications
AsthmaAsthma
Disorder in the lungs Disorder in the lungs where muscles where muscles constrict.constrict.
Includes wheezing, Includes wheezing, coughing, and coughing, and tightness of the chesttightness of the chest
Can come from Can come from allergiesallergies
Another component of acid rainAnother component of acid rain Eutrophication of ecosystemsEutrophication of ecosystems Petrochemical smogPetrochemical smog Greenhouse gas (NGreenhouse gas (N22O)O)
Sources: about ½ transportation (cars, Sources: about ½ transportation (cars, trucks, etc), and ½ industrial (gas fired trucks, etc), and ½ industrial (gas fired power plants, other industrial uses of power plants, other industrial uses of natural gas)natural gas)
6) Nitrogen Oxides (NO6) Nitrogen Oxides (NOxx))
Sources (cont.)Sources (cont.) Fixed sources: electric power plants Fixed sources: electric power plants
and other industrial sourcesand other industrial sources Responsible for most sulfur dioxide and Responsible for most sulfur dioxide and
particulates, and ½ of nitrogen oxides particulates, and ½ of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbonsand hydrocarbons
High smokestacks move problems High smokestacks move problems downwinddownwind
Clean Air Act 1970Clean Air Act 1970
Passed with strong bipartisan supportPassed with strong bipartisan support Authorized EPA to set limits on emissionsAuthorized EPA to set limits on emissions EPA focused on lead, particulates, sulfur EPA focused on lead, particulates, sulfur
dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and ozoneoxides, and ozone
Purpose to protect human health and Purpose to protect human health and environmental qualityenvironmental quality
Clean Air Act 1970Clean Air Act 1970
98% decrease in lead in atmosphere98% decrease in lead in atmosphere 79% of soot, 41% of sulfur dioxide, 28% of 79% of soot, 41% of sulfur dioxide, 28% of
carbon monoxide, and 25% of ozone.carbon monoxide, and 25% of ozone. Exception: NOxException: NOx EPA estimates that for every $1 spent in EPA estimates that for every $1 spent in
air pollution control, $40 is savedair pollution control, $40 is saved
Non-attainment AreasNon-attainment Areas 90 million Americans live in non-90 million Americans live in non-
attainment areasattainment areas
Modifications/amendmentsModifications/amendments 1977 – emission controls for autos1977 – emission controls for autos 1990 – SO2 and NOx reductions to 1990 – SO2 and NOx reductions to
battle acid rainbattle acid rain 1997 – revised standards for ozone and 1997 – revised standards for ozone and
particulatesparticulates
http://www.cleartheair.org/dirtypower/map.htmlhttp://www.cleartheair.org/dirtypower/map.html
PA has developed a few programsPA has developed a few programs
Clean Mower Rebate Program:Clean Mower Rebate Program:
offers rebates in certain counties who turn in gas offers rebates in certain counties who turn in gas powered lawn mowers for electric onespowered lawn mowers for electric ones
The Alternate Fuels Incentive Grant Program:The Alternate Fuels Incentive Grant Program:
gives financial assistance on alternative fuels and gives financial assistance on alternative fuels and vehiclesvehicles
The Drive Clean Pennsylvania Program:The Drive Clean Pennsylvania Program:
ensures that motor vehicles registered in the state ensures that motor vehicles registered in the state pass inspection and standards.pass inspection and standards.
Common Soil PollutantsCommon Soil Pollutants
Mostly caused by Human ActionsMostly caused by Human Actions
Agriculture contributes a large percentageAgriculture contributes a large percentage PesticidesPesticides Animal WastesAnimal Wastes FertilizersFertilizers
Irrigating crops improperly, leaving standing Irrigating crops improperly, leaving standing water adds salt into the soilwater adds salt into the soil
Other Soil PollutantsOther Soil Pollutants
Soil and liquid wastes leaching from landfillsSoil and liquid wastes leaching from landfills Industrial Processes release toxic Industrial Processes release toxic
substancessubstances Lead and MercuryLead and Mercury
Oil and gas wellsOil and gas wells Radioactive WasteRadioactive Waste
Nuclear plantsNuclear plants HospitalsHospitals Some IndustriesSome Industries
Indoor PollutionIndoor Pollution
Includes: Includes: Materials used to remodel homesMaterials used to remodel homes
Fumes from carpeting or from removing cabinetryFumes from carpeting or from removing cabinetry
PaintsPaints Cleaning productsCleaning products OilsOils PesticidesPesticides
Ways to Reduce PollutionWays to Reduce Pollution
Read Labels Read Labels THOROUGHLYTHOROUGHLY Use only the minimum amount neededUse only the minimum amount needed Dispose of correctlyDispose of correctly Check with local collection facilitiesCheck with local collection facilities Types of Cleaners to be careful ofTypes of Cleaners to be careful of
AmmoniaAmmonia ChlorineChlorine Laundry DetergentsLaundry Detergents
Type of PollutantsType of Pollutants
Nonpoint Source PollutantsNonpoint Source Pollutants
Point Source PollutantsPoint Source Pollutants
Non Point SourcesNon Point Sources
This is the pollutants are carried far away This is the pollutants are carried far away from actual sourcefrom actual source Rain, melting snow, or windRain, melting snow, or wind
Common Non point source pollutantsCommon Non point source pollutants Fertilizers, pesticides, oil, grease, toxic Fertilizers, pesticides, oil, grease, toxic
chemicals, sediment, bacteria, and animal chemicals, sediment, bacteria, and animal wastewaste
Leading cause of Water quality ProblemsLeading cause of Water quality Problems
Who is Responcible for Who is Responcible for Monitoring NPS?Monitoring NPS?
Federal GovernmentsFederal Governments
Some even at a State LevelsSome even at a State Levels In Pa regulate mining and loggingIn Pa regulate mining and logging
DEP Bureau of Land and Water DEP Bureau of Land and Water ConservationConservation Restores health to the landRestores health to the land
Point Source PollutantsPoint Source Pollutants
Pollutants that are from and identified Pollutants that are from and identified sourcesource
Examples:Examples: Emissions from factory pipesEmissions from factory pipes Leaking landfillsLeaking landfills Wastes from food processing plants Wastes from food processing plants Domestic SewageDomestic Sewage Factory smoke stacks Factory smoke stacks
What is done about PS What is done about PS pollutants?pollutants?
PA was ranked in top 10 for PS PA was ranked in top 10 for PS emissions in 1996emissions in 1996
Many local and state regulations are put Many local and state regulations are put in place to reduce PS.in place to reduce PS.