Air PollutionAir Pollution

Chapter 15Chapter 15

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

Structure and composition of the atmosphereStructure and composition of the atmosphere

Types and origins of major outdoor air pollutantsTypes and origins of major outdoor air pollutants

Two types of smogTwo types of smog

Acid deposition and how it can be reducedAcid deposition and how it can be reduced

Harmful effects of air pollutantsHarmful effects of air pollutants

Preventing and controlling air pollutionPreventing and controlling air pollution

When is a Lichen Like a Canary?When is a Lichen Like a Canary?

Mine canariesMine canaries

LichensLichens

Detectors of air pollutionDetectors of air pollution

Isle Royale in Lake SuperiorIsle Royale in Lake Superior

ChernobylChernobyl

Fig. 15-1, p. 345

When is a Lichen Like a Canary?When is a Lichen Like a Canary?

Fig. 15-1, p. 345

Earth’s AtmosphereEarth’s Atmosphere

TroposphereTroposphere

78% N78% N22, 21% O, 21% O22

StratosphereStratosphere

Ozone layerOzone layer

Fig. 15-2, p. 347

Fig. 15-2, p. 347

Earth’s Earth’s AtmosphereAtmosphere

Atmospheric pressure (millibars)

0 200 400 600 800 1,000120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

(Sea Level)

–80 –40 0 40 80 120 Pressure = 1,000millibars atground levelTemperature (˚C)

Alt

itu

de

(kilo

met

ers)

Alt

itu

de

(mile

s)

75

65

55

45

35

25

15

5

Thermosphere

Heating via ozone

Mesosphere

Stratosphere

Ozone “layer”Heating from the

earth

Troposphere

Temperature

Pressure

Mesopause

Stratopause

Tropopause

Outdoor Air PollutionOutdoor Air Pollution

What is air pollution?What is air pollution?

Stationary and mobile sourcesStationary and mobile sources

Primary pollutantsPrimary pollutants

Secondary pollutantsSecondary pollutants

How air pollutants migrateHow air pollutants migrate

Health threatsHealth threats

Major air pollutants (Table 15-1, p. 349)Major air pollutants (Table 15-1, p. 349)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Carbon dioxide: a pollutant?Carbon dioxide: a pollutant?

Primary Pollutants

Secondary Pollutants

Sources NaturalStationary

CO CO2

SO2 NO NO2

Most hydrocarbons

Most suspendedparticles

SO3

HNO3 H2SO4

H2O2 O3 PANs

Most and saltsNO3–

Mobile

SO42 –

Fig. 15-3, p. 348

Sources and Types of Air Pollutants Sources and Types of Air Pollutants

Table 15-1, p. 349

Photochemical SmogPhotochemical Smog

Photochemical reactionsPhotochemical reactions

Photochemical smogPhotochemical smog

Natural and human originsNatural and human origins

Brown-air smogBrown-air smog

Temperature effectsTemperature effects

Urban areasUrban areas

Photochemical Smog in Mexico CityPhotochemical Smog in Mexico City

Fig. 15-4, p. 351

Industrial SmogIndustrial Smog

Science SpotlightScience Spotlight, p. 350: , p. 350: Air Pollution in the Past: The Bad Old Air Pollution in the Past: The Bad Old DaysDays

Composition of industrial smog (sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid)Composition of industrial smog (sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid)

Gray-air smogGray-air smog

Situation better in developed countriesSituation better in developed countries

Serious problem in industrializing countries, such as ChinaSerious problem in industrializing countries, such as China

““Black Triangle” of eastern EuropeBlack Triangle” of eastern Europe

Asian brown cloudAsian brown cloud

Industrial Smog in IndiaIndustrial Smog in India

Fig. 15-5, p. 351

How Natural Eliminates SmogHow Natural Eliminates Smog

Rain and snowRain and snow

Salty sea spraySalty sea spray

Winds Winds

Factors Influencing the Factors Influencing the Formation of SmogFormation of Smog

Urban buildingsUrban buildings

TopographyTopography

High temperaturesHigh temperatures

““Grasshopper Effect”Grasshopper Effect”

Temperature inversions Temperature inversions

Acid DepositionAcid Deposition Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxidesSulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides

Wet and dry acid depositionWet and dry acid deposition

Acid rainAcid rain

Regional air pollutionRegional air pollution

Ohio ValleyOhio Valley

BuffersBuffers

Wind transportation Wind transportation

Fig. 15-6, p. 353

Wind

Transformation tosulfuric acid (H2SO4)and nitric acid (HNO3)

Nitric oxide (NO)

Acid fog

Ocean

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)and NO

Windborne ammonia gasand particles of cultivated soilpartially neutralize acids andform dry sulfate and nitrate salts

Dry aciddeposition(sulfur dioxidegas and particlesof sulfate andnitrate salts)

Farm

Lakes indeep soilhigh in limestoneare buffered

Lakes in shallowsoil low inlimestonebecomeacidic

Wet acid deposition(droplets of H2SO4 andHNO3 dissolved in rainand snow)

Acid Deposition Acid Deposition

pH Measurements at US Sites pH Measurements at US Sites

Fig. 15-7, p. 354

Potential problem areas because of sensitive soils

Potential problem areas because of air pollution: emissions leading to acid deposition

Current problem areas(including lakes and rivers)

Fig. 15-8, p. 355

Current and Potential Problems Current and Potential Problems with Acid Depositionwith Acid Deposition

Harmful Effects of Acid DepositionHarmful Effects of Acid Deposition

Respiratory diseases in humans (bronchitis and asthma)Respiratory diseases in humans (bronchitis and asthma)

Leaches metals from water pipesLeaches metals from water pipes

Damages statues and other propertyDamages statues and other property

Decreases atmospheric visibility (Grand Canyon)Decreases atmospheric visibility (Grand Canyon)

Kills fish and other aquatic organismsKills fish and other aquatic organisms

Leaches plant nutrients from soilsLeaches plant nutrients from soils

Weakens trees (mountaintop forests)Weakens trees (mountaintop forests)

Emission

Aciddeposition

SO2

H2O2

PANs

NOX

O3

Others

Direct damageto leaves and bark

Reducedphotosynthesisand growth

IncreasedSusceptibilityto drought,extreme cold,insects, mosses,and diseaseorganisms

Soil acidification

Leaching of soil nutrients

AcidRelease of toxicmetal icons

Rootdamage

Reduced nutrientand water uptake

Tree death

Groundwater

Fig. 15-9, p. 356

Impacts of Air Impacts of Air Pollution on Trees and Pollution on Trees and

Water Water

Tree Damage from Acid DepositionTree Damage from Acid Deposition

Fig. 15-10, p. 356

© 2006 Brooks/Cole - Thomson

Reduce air pollution by improving energy efficiency

Reduce coal use

Increase natural gas use

Increase use of renewable resources

Burn low-sulfur coal

Remove SO2 particulates, and Nox from smokestack gases

Remove Nox from motor vehicular exhaust

Tax emissions of SO2

Add lime to neutralizeacidified lakes

Add phosphatefertilizer to neutralizeacidified lakes

Solutions

Acid Deposition

Prevention Cleanup

Fig. 15-11, p. 357

Reducing Acid Deposition Reducing Acid Deposition

Indoor Air PollutionIndoor Air Pollution

Pollutants often at higher concentrations indoorsPollutants often at higher concentrations indoors

Pollution inside carsPollution inside cars

Most people spent most of their time indoorsMost people spent most of their time indoors

Cancer risksCancer risks

Sick-building syndromeSick-building syndrome

Mold and allergiesMold and allergies

Serious problem in developing countriesSerious problem in developing countries

Major Indoor Air PollutantsMajor Indoor Air Pollutants

Tobacco smokeTobacco smoke

FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

RadonRadon

Very fine particlesVery fine particles

Fig. 15-12, p. 358

Chloroform

Benzo--pyrene

Styrene

Radon-222

Methylene Chloride

Tobacco Smoke

Carbon Monoxide

Asbestos

Nitrogen Oxides

1, 1, 1-Trichloroethane

Major Indoor Air Pollutants Major Indoor Air Pollutants

Particulates

FormaldehydeTetrachloro-ethylene

Para-dichlorobenzene

RadonRadon

Radioactive Rn-222Radioactive Rn-222

Lung cancer threatLung cancer threat

With uranium in rocks With uranium in rocks and soilsand soils

Testing homesTesting homes

RemediesRemedies

Fig. 15-13, p. 359

Harmful Effects of Air PollutionHarmful Effects of Air Pollution Human respiratory systemHuman respiratory system

AsthmaAsthma

Lung cancerLung cancer

Chronic bronchitisChronic bronchitis

EmphysemaEmphysema

Health effects of major air pollutants (Table 15-1, p. 349)Health effects of major air pollutants (Table 15-1, p. 349)

Premature deathsPremature deaths

Serious threat of indoor air pollutionSerious threat of indoor air pollution

Impact of coal-fired power plantsImpact of coal-fired power plants

Cancer from diesel exhaustsCancer from diesel exhausts

Fig. 15-14a, p. 360

Human Respiratory System Human Respiratory System

Healthy and Diseased Human LungsHealthy and Diseased Human Lungs

Fig. 15-15, p. 360

Premature US Deaths from Air PollutionPremature US Deaths from Air Pollution

Fig. 15-16, p. 361

Preventing and Reducing Air Preventing and Reducing Air PollutionPollution

U.S. Clean Air ActsU.S. Clean Air Acts

National Ambient Air Quality StandardsNational Ambient Air Quality Standards

Criteria from risk assessmentsCriteria from risk assessments

Primary standardsPrimary standards

Secondary standardsSecondary standards

Hazardous air pollutantsHazardous air pollutants

Toxic Release InventoryToxic Release Inventory

““Right to Know” lawsRight to Know” laws

Emissions tradingEmissions trading

© 2006 Brooks/Cole - Thomson

Solutions

Stationery Source Air Pollution

Prevention Dispersion or Cleanup

Burn low-sulfurcoal

Remove sulfurfrom coal

Convert coalto a liquid orgaseous fuel

Shift to lesspolluting fuels

Disperseemissions abovethermal inversionlayer with tallsmokestacks

Removepollutants aftercombustion

Tax each unitof pollutionproduced

Fig. 15-17, p. 363

Solutions: Stationary Source Air Solutions: Stationary Source Air PollutionPollution

© 2006 Brooks/Cole - Thomson

Solutions

Motor Vehicle Pollutions

Prevention Cleanup

Mass transit

Bicycles and walking

Less polluting engines

Less polluting fuels

Improve fuel efficiency

Get older, pollutingcars off the road

Give buyers tax write-offs for buying low-polluting, energy-efficient vehicles

Restrict driving in polluted areas

Emission controldevices

Car exhaustInspectionstwice a year

Stricter emissionstandards

Fig. 15-18, p. 364

Solutions: Motor VehiclesSolutions: Motor Vehicles

© 2006 Brooks/Cole - Thomson

SolutionsIndoor Air Pollution

Prevention Cleanup

Cover ceiling tiles and lining of AC ducts to prevent release of mineral fibers

Ban smoking or limit it to well-ventilated areas

Set stricter formaldehyde emissions standards for carpet, furniture, and building materials

Prevent radon infiltration

Use office machines in well-ventilated areas

Use less polluting substitutes for harmful cleaning agents, paints, and other products

Use adjustable fresh air vents for work spaces

Increase intake of outside air

Change air more frequently

Circulate building’s air through rooftop greenhouses

Use exhaust hoods for stoves and appliances burning natural gas

Install efficient chimneys for wood-burning stoves

Fig. 15-19, p. 364

Solutions: Indoor Air PollutionSolutions: Indoor Air Pollution

Solutions

Air Pollution

Prevention Cleanup

Improve energy efficiencyto reduce fossil fuel use

Rely more on lower-polluting natural gas

Rely more on renewable energy (especially solar cells, wind, and solar-produced hydrogen)

Transfer technologies for latest energy efficiency, renewable energy, and pollution prevention to developing countries.

Reduce poverty

Distribute cheap and efficient cookstoves to poor families in developing countries

Reduce or ban indoor smoking

Develop simple and cheap test for indoor pollutants such as particulates, radon, and formaldehyde

Fig. 15-20, p. 365

Solutions: Air PollutionSolutions: Air Pollution

© 2006 Brooks/Cole - Thomson

What Can You Do?

Indoor Air Pollution

• Test for radon and formaldehyde inside your home and take corrective measures as needed.

• Do not buy furniture and other products containing formaldehyde.• Remove your shoes before entering your house to reduce inputs of dust, lead, and pesticides.

• Test your house or workplace for asbestos fiber levels and for any crumbling asbestos materials if it was built before 1980.

• Don't live in a pre-1980 house without having its indoor air tested for asbestos and lead.

• Do not store gasoline, solvents, or other volatile hazardous chemicals inside a home or attached garage.

• If you smoke, do it outside or in a closed room vented to the outside.• Make sure that wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene- and gas-burning heaters are properly installed, vented, and maintained.

• Install carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas.

Fig. 15-21, p. 365

What Can You Do?What Can You Do?