the sphere of atmos 🔮

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What human activities have disrupted the atmosphere?

• Deforestation

• Combustion

• Release of toxic chemicals e.g. CFCs

Temperature in the atmosphere

• troposphere: temp decreases w altitude as IRR reflected from earth’s surface decreases

• stratosphere 20K: more UV absorbed by ozone further up - increased temp w altitude

• mesosphere 55K: fewer particles as u go up = lower temp

• thermosphere 90K: outer atmosphere absorbs some UV - more at outermost layers = increased temp w altitude

Greenhouse effect

• UV radiation reflects off earth surface

• most escapes, some absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-emitted as IR which heats up earth there you go :)

How does the atmospheric circulation help maintain life-sustaining temperatures?

Transfers heat from the equator to the rest of the planet, due to evaporation of water at equator.

Importance of ozone?

deflects most high energy UV from reaching Earth’s surface

How is ozone formed? How does this exemplify a dynamic equilibrium?

• UV hits O2, splits off an atom, which forms O3. Then more UV splits the ozone molecule, but it reforms again

• = stable, fluctuating number of ozone and oxygen molecules in the atmosphere

3 types of UV radiation

• A type - big boi - not absorbed by o3 or o2

• B type - average ahh - almost fully absorbed by o3

• C type - short arse - completely absorbed by o2 and o3 which is good cos it’d be fucking dangerous otherwise

why do we use CFCs

• they’re easily liquified

• they dissolve grease but don’t damage electric components

• they aren’t flammable or toxic

thus used in aerosols, pesticides, refrigerants

why are CFCs dangerous

• stable enough to get to stratosphere

• release halogens when hit w UV

• halogens HIGHLY reactive (free radical) so react w o2 instead of an o = no o3

what does UV radiation cause in ecological systems/

damage to photosynthetic organisms, especially PHYTOPLANKTON

what was the Montreal protocol

1987 - banned CFCs, to be replaced with hydrocarbons . apparently supervised by UNEP

what did national govs do

made laws and regs to decrease consumption and production of CFCs

How is tropospheric ozone formed?

O2 reacts w oxygen atoms released from NO2 from cars

5 effects of tropospheric ozone?????

• highly reactive

• damages plants

• irritates eyes

• creates RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES

• damages fabrics and rubber

what is smog

A complex mix of primary and secondary pollutants, mainly tropospheric ozone

What 4 factors affect smog frequency and severity?

• population density

• topography

• climate (wind)

• fossil fuel usage

What is a thermal inversion? How do they affect air pollution?

• An area of high pressure (could be caused by an anticyclone) pushes air in the upper troposphere downwards. As it does so, it heats up, and traps the air beneath it.

  • an inversion because normally the hot air is below

• thus pollutants build up rather than being dispersed, as happened during the Great Smog

Why can smog reduce economic output? Example of this?

it KILLS PEOPLE bro in London 12000 DIED and there were HOSPITALISATIONS TOO 😦

5 ways to manage smog

1. reduce car usage - e.g. ULEZ

2. move factories away from cities

3. establish regulations on pollution quality - e.g. UK Clean Air Act

4. install catalytic converters - absorb some NO2

5. grow more trees/plants in the city to absorb pollutants 🌳

Where may dry deposition of sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide molecules occur? As what?

Near to the source of acidic substances - as ash, small particulates

Where may wet deposition of sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide molecules occur? As what?

Longer distances from the source - as acid rain.

• Thus, downwind areas of major industrial regions are most strongly affected by acid rain.

Name 2 direct effects of acid deposition

1. Weakening tree growth in coniferous forests

2. Acid falling on lakes/ponds decreasing pH

Name 2 indirect effects of acid deposition?

1. Toxic effects: e.g. increased solubility of metal ions like aluminium which is toxic to fish & plant roots

2. Nutrient effects: e.g. leaching

Name 4 specific effects of acid deposition in coniferous forests and their 3 consequences

1. Leaves and buds lose chlorophyll, are damaged in the form of lesions, and their wax cuticles thin

2. Symbiotic root microbes are killed, greatly reducing nutrient availability

3. Reduces ability of soil particles to hold onto nutrients, which are then leached out

4. Releases toxic aluminium ions from soil which then damage root hairs

1. Reduces growth

2. Allows nutrients to leach out the plants and wash away

3. Allows pathogens and insects to gain entry

How does acid deposition affect aluminium?

1. Soil pH decreased, making aluminium more soluble

2. Aluminium released: ends up in freshwater habitats

How does aluminium affect fish at low and high concentrations?

1. LOW CONCENTRATION: Aluminium disturbs salt and water regulation in fish

   1. Fish gasp for breath and slowly lose salt - die

2. HIGH CONCENTRATION: solid formation on gills

   1. suffocation - die