M-Lec 1: G5 - Environmental Threats Part 1

Pollution

Introduction of harmful substances or products to the environment, causing adverse effects on living organisms, resources, and ecosystem.

Air Pollution

A type of pollution where harmful air particles (gasses, dust, smoke, and chemicals) are present in the air.

Carbon Monoxide

A pollutant with the chemical formula of CO which are caused by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.

Particulate Matter

Umbrella term for pollutants—both solid and liquid—present in the air. Categorized based on It's diameter.

PM2.5

This covers the particulate matter pollutants under 2.5 micrometers or less.

PM10

This refers to the particulate matter pollutants that are measured 10 micrometers or less.

Ground-Level Ozone

A pollutant with the chemical symbol of O3. This usually located in atmosphere but it can be on ground due to volatile organic compounds and nitrous oxides’ reaction.

Nitrogen Dioxide

A pollutant with a chemical symbol of NO2, released from the combustion of fuels in transportation and industrial sectors.

Sulfur Dioxide

A pollutant with the chemical symbol of SO2, produced from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil.

US AQI

The standard measurement for air pollutants that is used in various countries, including US and the Philippines.

Good

An AQI level with range 0-50. It is satisfactory and poses little to no risk.

Moderate

An AQI level with range 51-100. This where sensitive people should avoid outdoor activity as it poses respiratory symptoms.

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

An AQI level with range 101-150. The general public and sensitive individuals are at risk to experience irritation and respiratory problems.

Unhealthy

An AQI level with range 151-200. It increases the likelihood of adverse effects and aggravation to heart and lungs among the general public.

Very Unhealthy

An AQI level with range 201-300. This is where the general public will noticeably affected and sensitive groups myst restrict themselves in doing outdoor activities.

Hazardous

An AQI level with the range 301+. This is the most dangerous level that everyone must avoid conducting outdoor activities as they are at high risk of strong irritation and adverse health effects.

Soil Pollution

A type of pollution where degredation of land occurs due to presence of harmful chemicals.

Marine Pollution

A type of pollution affecting oceans and seas due to wastes, oill spill, and chemical discharges.

Radioactive Pollution

A type of pollution where radioactive materials are leaking to the environment due to improper handling and power plant accidents.

Thermal Pollution

A type of pollution where the average temperature of bodies of water was increased due to certain human activities.

Noise Pollution

A type of pollution where you constantly hear sounds to the point that it becomes irritating.

Greenhouse Effect

A process of trapping heat from the sun by certain gasses to keep the Earth warm.

Carbon Dioxide

A greenhouse gas with the chemical symbol CO2.

Methane

A greenhouse gas with the chemical symbol of CH4

Water Vapor

A greenhouse gas with the chemical symbol of H2O.

Nitrous Oxide

A greenhouse gas with the chemical symbol of N2O.

Ozone

A greenhouse gas with the chemical symbol of O3.

Hydrofluorocarbons

A greenhouse gas with the chemical symbol of CH2FCF3

Perfluorocarbons

A greenhouse gas with the chemical symbol of CxFy

Sulfur Hexafluoride

A greenhouse gas with the chemical symbol of SF6

Global Warming

A slow rise in Earth’s average temperature due to excessive greenhouse gasses, exacerbated by human activities.

Ozone Depletion

A destruction of ozone layer due to a gas called Chlorofluorocarbons which breaks down Ozone to Oxygen

Chlorofluorocarbons

A compound with chemical symbol of CClmF4-m / CClmF6-m, responsible for breaking down the Ozone Layer.

The Montreal Protocol

A international treaty adopted in 1987 to phase oyt production and consumption ot ozone depleting substances.

The Paris Agreement

A international treaty adopted in 2015 where we need to limit the global warming by 2°C, preferably 1.5°C below pre-industrial levels.

Climate Change

A long term alteration of Earth's climate, specifically global warming.

Weather

A short-term atmospheric conditions which ecompasses sunny, cloudy, rainy, and more.

Acid Rain

Known as acid deposition, its a precipitation witb acidic components such as Sulfuric and Nitric Acid

Wet Deposition

A type of acid rain occured welhen atmospheric sulfuric and nitric acids are dissolved in water droplets amd fall to Earth as snow, rain, fog or hail.

Dry Deposition

A type of acid rain occured when atmospheric pollutants settle onto surfaces as dry gasses rather than precipitation.

Forest

A large area covered by trees and vegetation, serves as a ecosystem for many animals.

Deforestation

A widespread cleaning of trees in forest to make way for agriculture, urban development, logging for raw materials and mining.

Clear Cutting

A type of deforestation where it involves the complete removal of all trees in a specific area.

Selective Cutting

A type of deforestation where only certain trees are harvested, mostly the diseased and old trees.

Slash and Burn

A type of deforestation where the forest is cut and burned to make land for farming.