Global Geography Seminar

Gabrielle and AlexMay 28th, 2013

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/03/21/bid-to-block-californias-a-b-32-emission-standards-funded-by-b/

Key TermsInversion A deviation from the normal change of an atmospheric properly with altitude. Inversion can lead to pollution by trapping smog close to the ground.

Emission Standards Specific limits set to regulate the amount of pollutants released into the environment by automobiles

Fossil Fuel Fuels formed by natural processes such as decomposition of buried dead organisms.

InversionsValleys or in places

partially surrounded by hills or mountains.

air blows over the hills, it is heated as it is compressed into the side of the hills

warm air comes over the top, it is warmer than the cooler air of the valley.

What is Smog?Air pollution“Smoke” + “Fog” = Smog

Industrial SmogOccurs when smoke and sulfur dioxide (SO4)

produced from burning coal Yellowish brownishGround levelAcid Rain

Photochemical Smog Chemical reaction between

sunlight, NO2 ,and VOCs

VOCs ( Volatile organic compounds) Organic chemical High vapour pressure Room- temp

Airborne particles Ground-level zones Primary pollutants – sunlight,

causing hazardous 2nd pollutants

http://chem-guide.blogspot.ca/2010/04/air-pollution-photochemical-smog.html

Modern SmogNot visible Coal burningCaused by

automobiles emissions

http://www.edmunds.com/how-to/how-to-pass-a-smog-check.html

Natural CausesVolcanos eruptSame chemical

output as smogVolcanic eruptions

as vogvogNatural occurrence

http://www.sciencebuzz.org/buzz-tags/kilauea

http://patricksoulagesla.blogspot.ca/

L.A. Smog ProblemRanked the smoggiest city in America1/3 days experiences unhealthy airTwo dozen days of the year the city faces

“red-alert days”

Geographic Factors of L.AL.A sits in a valley surrounded by mountainsBowl for holding smog

Affects on the citizens“Over 700,000 people in our city suffer from

asthma, including 165,000 children. Environment California’s report confirms what we already know - that the Los Angeles area ranks among the highest in the nation for poor air quality. This is completely unacceptable.”

Schools have to shut down

Videohttp://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOQjK3LWoK8&list=PLqCDW2o2NgkLyVDrK-zgp143mtlqttfCI

http://wallstreetmeeting.de/mos-2007/mexico-city-mexico-3/

Mexico Smog ProblemImprovingAffects millions

Geographic Factors of MexicoMexico city is also situated in between two

hills burdening the city

Mexico EffortsTake older vehicles

odd the roadRegulation for new

vehiclesCleaner low sulfur

fuelsPublic transportation

(traffic)Emission testingLicence plate

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2013/05/23/a-new-way-has-been-found-to-make-truck-emissions-testing-more-accurate-and-less-costly/

Mexico EffortsWhen UV light cuts

through smoggy air and hits the titanium dioxide on the tiles

A chemical reaction occurs between the tiles and chemicals in the smog--mono-nitrogen oxides, or NOx.

the end result of the reaction is that the smog is broken down into small amounts of less noxious chemicals, including calcium nitrate (a salt used in fertilizers), carbon dioxide, and water.

The titanium dioxide itself remains unaffected, so it can keep making reactions happen.

Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=QxxboHJ7N30&list=PLqCDW2o2NgkLyVDrK-zgp143mtlqttfCI

Health effects of smog

Respiratory illnessDeathAsthmaDizzinessSore eyes, throat

How we can help

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Fill your gas tank during cooler evening hours to cut down on evaporation. Avoid spilling gas and don't "top up" the tank. Replace the gas tank cap tightly.

Why? Smog-related emissions don't just come from the tailpipe. Evaporation of gasoline from filling up the gas tank releases smog-causing VOCs into the air. Spillage is a major source of O3 pollution.

Did you know? Vapours from evaporating gasoline (those wavy lines that appear in the air while you are filling the tank) can account for two-thirds of the VOC emissions from gasoline-fuelled vehicles on hot summer days.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Reduce your outdoor use of VOC-releasing products such as oil-based paints, lawn pesticides, car cleaning solvents and waxes.

Why? These products dry through evaporation of the contained solvent, releasing strong-smelling VOCs, which contribute to smog formation.

Did you know? By 2010, solvent use in Ontario will contribute more than twice the amount of VOCs than from all transportation, which includes cars, trucks, aircraft and marine vehicles.

References"Bid to Block California's A.B. 32 Emission

Standards Funded by Big Oil." AutoblogGreen. Ed. Eric Loveday. N.p., Mar.-Apr. 2010. Web. 27 May 2013.

"Smog City." Smog City. NP, n.d. Web. 15 May 2013

Wong, Raymond. "DVICE." DVICE. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2013.

Probe, Pollution. "What You Can Do to Reduce Smog." At Home Solutions. Canadian Living, n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality." Making Smog. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013.