Topic 6 - Atmosphere

Acid deposition

Precipitation containing sulfuric and nitric acids.

Dry deposition

Solid particles settle near pollution sources.

Natural acidification sources

Bog moss, heathers, conifers, and volcanoes.

Soil nutrient leaching

Loss of calcium, magnesium, potassium from soil.

Aluminium dissolution

Aluminium leached from soil harms plant roots.

Soil pH impact

Low pH damages plant roots and growth.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Microorganisms that enhance soil nitrate levels.

Dissolved metals in water

Acidic water releases metals from pipes and soil.

Aluminium effects on fish

High aluminium levels cause fish gill suffocation.

Bio-accumulation

Toxic substances increase in organisms through food chain.

Tree effects of acid deposition

Loss of leaves and reduced growth in trees.

Shell formation

Calcium leaching affects snail and coral shells.

Acidified forests

Forests impacted by increased acidity and nutrient loss.

Direct effects

Immediate impacts on organisms and ecosystems.

Indirect effects

Consequences from nutrient leaching affecting growth.

Global distribution

Acid deposition primarily regional, not global.

High-risk areas

Regions with high rainfall and elevation.

Limestone buffering

Calcium carbonate neutralizes acid rain effects.

Managing acid deposition

Lime addition and ecosystem recolonization strategies.

Wet deposition

Acidic precipitation formed from atmospheric reactions.

Nitric acid (HNO3)

Contributes to precipitation acidity in wet deposition.

Greenhouse effect

Gases trap heat, maintaining Earth's warmth.

Point source pollution

Pollution from specific, identifiable sources.

Non-point source pollution

Diffuse pollution from widespread activities.

Biodegradable substances

Materials that decompose naturally over time.

Persistent substances

Materials that remain in the environment long-term.

Acute effects

Severe, short-term impacts on health or environment.

Chronic effects

Long-lasting impacts on health or environment.

Main greenhouse gases

Water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane trap heat.

Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

Greenhouse gas from fertilizers and fossil fuels.

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons used in refrigeration and foam.

HCFCs

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, less harmful than CFCs.

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)

Used in aluminum production, potent greenhouse gases.

Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF₆)

Used in magnesium production, highly stable gas.

Troposphere

Lowest atmospheric layer, where weather occurs.

Stratosphere

Contains ozone, absorbs UV radiation.

Mesosphere

Middle layer, coldest temperatures in atmosphere.

Thermosphere

Upper layer, absorbs high-energy radiation.

Ozone (O₃)

Molecule formed from oxygen, protects from UV.

UV-A

Longest UV wavelength, reaches Earth's surface.

UV-B

Partially absorbed by ozone, causes skin damage.

UV-C

Shortest UV wavelength, completely absorbed by ozone.

Ozone Thinning

Decrease in ozone concentration, measured in DU.

Dobson Units (DU)

Measurement unit for ozone levels in atmosphere.

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)

Chemicals that harm stratospheric ozone layer.

Chlorine Atoms

Released from CFCs, destroy ozone molecules.

Ozone Formation

O₂ splits by UV, forms O₃ with atomic O.

Stratospheric Ozone

Ozone layer that absorbs harmful UV radiation.

Polar Vortex

Cold air mass affecting ozone depletion at poles.

Ozone Destruction Cycle

Process where ozone is broken down by UV.

Natural Ozone Depletion

Volcanic emissions contribute to ozone loss.

Health Effects of UV-B

Includes skin cancer, cataracts, and immune suppression.

Ozone

Molecule composed of three oxygen atoms.

Montreal Protocol

International treaty to phase out ozone-depleting substances.

CFCs

Chlorofluorocarbons, harmful to the ozone layer.

HCFCs

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons, transitional ozone-depleting substances.

Ozone Layer

Region in the stratosphere protecting Earth from UV radiation.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Balance of processes maintaining a stable system.

Ozone Depletion Effects

Increased UV radiation exposure, health risks.

Polar Stratospheric Clouds

Clouds formed in Antarctica aiding ozone depletion.

Tropospheric Ozone

Ozone formed at ground level, harmful to health.

Photochemical Smog

Air pollution caused by sunlight and pollutants.

Thermal Inversions

Trapping of cool air beneath warm air layers.

Greenhouse Effect

Trapping of heat in the atmosphere by gases.

UV Radiation

Ultraviolet light harmful to living organisms.

Stratosphere

Layer of atmosphere where ozone is concentrated.

Ozone Recovery Delay

Ozone layer recovery may take until 2070.

Black Market

Illegal trade of banned ozone-depleting substances.

Ozone Formation

Ozone created by sunlight interacting with oxygen.

Toxic Effects of Ozone

Causes eye damage and respiratory issues.

Pollutant Sources

Automobile emissions and industrial smokestacks.

Ozone Absorption

Ozone absorbs UV radiation, protecting Earth's surface.

Economic Status Impact

Countries phase out ODS at different rates.

Legislation for ODSs

Laws to regulate and phase out harmful substances.

Climate Interaction

Ozone hole influences global climate patterns.

scrubbers

remove sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides from coal-burning power plants and cars.

Catalytic converters

Control the emission systems of cars by reducing the amount of toxic gases emission at the source.