APES UNIT 7 EVERYTHING

Dust and soot are examples of this type of pollutant

Particulate Matter

Photochemical smog forms when primary pollutants and secondary pollutants react in the presence of this.

Sunlight

These two pollutants contribute the most to acid deposition

nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide

This occurs when a layer of warm air traps cooler air below it and commonly occurs in this west coast city

thermal inversion of Los Angeles

The pollutants commonly targeted by electrostatic precipitators and scrubbers respectively

particulate matter, and sulfur oxides

This pollutant reduces the bloods ability to carry oxygen, causing headaches, dizziness, and even death

carbon monoxide

Furniture stuffing, paneling, and foam insulation are all sources of this pollutant

Formaldehyde

The four most dangerous indoor air pollutants according to the EPA.

asbestos, radon, cigarette smoke, and formaldehyde

The criteria for determining if a building is sick

20%1 or more people complaining of symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, and coughing2 while in a building3 but feeling better when they leave4

This pollutant comes from the radioactive decay of uranium and its remediation technique

radon and proper ventilation

The layer of the atmosphere that contains this helpful ozone

the stratosphere

The thinning of the ozone layer is occurring primarily over this continent at this time of year

Antarctica in October/spring

Much of the ozone thinning has been caused by this chemical and specifically this element

chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and the chlorine molecule

Less ozone means increased exposure to this radiation which causes

UVB radiation which causes skin cancer

The first meeting to reduce CFC emissions was held in this location and established this agreement

Montreal and the Montreal Protocol

The most abundant and variable nonanthropogenic greenhouse gas

water vapor

The percent increase in carbon dioxide from 283 ppm in 1790 to 383 ppm in 2007

30-38%

The greenhouse gas that is a product of anaerobic respiration, livestock gas, and landfills

Methane

This makes a greenhouse gas more potent than CO2

GHG's ability to absorb more heat energy

The type of radiation that is absorbed by Earth's surfaces that is re-emitted as this type of radiation

visible light and infrared

The region of Earth that will experience the most significant changes in temperature as warming continues

the poles

A possible effect of the rapid ice loss in the arctic is the shutdown of this process because of the inundation of melting freshwater

the oceanic conveyor belt

Since 1900, the Earth's temperature has risen by about this amount

0.6-0.8°C? (1°C or 1.5°F is acceptable)

The reason that the melting of Earth's ice (glaciers, ice sheets, ice caps) will cause to the further increase in Earth's temperature

the lower albedeo of water compared to ice

The reason that infectious tropical diseases are likely to spread to higher latitudes as Earth's average temperature increases

rising temperatures allow disease-carrying mosquitoes to move into new areas

Atmospheric Pressure

Force or mass per unit of air

Stratosphere

Second layer of the atmosphere, extending about 17-48 kilometers (11-30) miles above the earth's surface. It contains small amounts of gaseous ozone (O3), which filters out about 95% of the incoming harmful ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun

Ozone Layer

Layer of gaseous ozone (O3) in the stratosphere that protects life on earth by filtering out most harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun

Air Pollution

One or more chemicals in high enough concentrations in the air to harm humans, other animals, vegetation, or materials. Excess heat and noise are also considered forms of air pollution. Such chemicals or physical conditions are called air pollutants.

Primary Pollution

Chemical that has been added directly to the air by natural events or human activities and occurs in harmful concentrations

Secondary Pollutants

Harmful chemical formed in the atmosphere when a primary air pollutant reacts with normal air components or other air pollutants

Carbon Oxides

Carbon and oxygen compounds: carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, highly toxic gas that forms during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. Carbon Dioxide is a colorless, odorless greenhouse gas that contributes heavily to global warming

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Nitrous Oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) collectively. These gases play a role in photochemical smog and can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs; aggravate asthma and bronchitis; and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections by impairing the immune system. They can also suppress plant growth and reduce visibility when they are converted to nitric acid and nitrate salts.

Nitric Acid (HNO3)

Formed when NO2 reacts with water vapor in the air. It is a component of acid deposition that returns to the earth and can damage trees, soils, and aquatic life in lakes

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Colorless gas with an irritating odor. About two-thirds (and as high as 90% in urban areas) comes from human sources, mostly combustion of sulfur-containing coal in electric power and industrial plants and from oil refining and smelting of sulfide ores.

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)

Formed in the atmosphere from sulfur dioxide. As microscopic suspended droplets, it is a component of acid deposition

Particulates

Solid particles and liquid droplets small and light enough to remain suspended in air for short to long periods. Also referred to as suspended particulate matter (SPM)

Ozone (O3)

Colorless and odorless highly reactive gas; a major component of photochemical smog and also found in the stratosphere where it protects life by filtering out most harmful UV radiation from the sun

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Organic compounds that exist as gases in the air. Most are hydrocarbons

Radon (Rn)

Naturally occurring colorless and odorless radioactive gas found in some types of soil and rock. It can seep into homes and buildings sitting above such deposits. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer, especially among smokers

Industrial Smog

Type of air pollution consisting mostly of a mixture of sulfur dioxide, suspended droplets of sulfuric acid formed from some of the sulphur dioxide, and suspended solid particles

Photochemical Smog

Complex mixture of air pollutants produced in the lower atmosphere by the reaction of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides under the influence of sunlight. Especially harmful components include ozone, peroxyacyl nitrates (PANs) and various aldehydes

Temperature Inversion

Layer of dense, cool air trapped under a layer of dense, warm air. It prevents upward flowing air currents from developing. In a prolonged inversion, air pollution in the trapped layer may build up to harmful levels

Global Warming

Warming of the earth's atmosphere because of increases in the concentrations of one or more greenhouse gases primarily as a result of human activities

Global Climate Change

Changes in any aspects of the earth's climate, including temperature, precipitation, and storm intensity and patterns

Environmental Worldviews

Set of assumptions and beliefs about how people think the world works, what they think their role in the world should be, and what they believe is right and wrong environmental behaviors

Environmental Ethics

Human beliefs about what is wrong or right with how we treat the environment

Planetary Management Worldview

We are separate from nature, nature exists mainly to meet our needs and increasing wants, and we can use our ingenuity and technology to manage the earth's life-support systems, mostly for our benefit. It assumes that economic growth is essentially unlimited.

Stewardship Worldview

We can manage the earth for our benefit but we have an ethical responsibility to be caring and responsible managers, or stewards, or the earth. It calls for encouraging environmentally beneficial forms of economic growth and discouraging environmentally harmful forms.

Environmental Wisdom Worldview

We are part of and totally dependent on nature and nature exists for all species, not just for us, and we should encourage earth-sustaining forms of economic growth and development and discourage earth-degrading forms. Our success depends on learning how the earth sustains itself and integrating such environmental wisdom into the ways we act and think

Determine the net change in atmospheric CO¬2 concentration between 140,000 years ago and 125,000 years ago. (1 point)

140,000 years before present: CO2 = 200 ppm

125,000 years before present: CO2 = 280 ppm

280 ppm - 200 ppm = increase of 80 ppm

Calculate the ratio of the change in mean global temperature to the change in atmospheric CO2 between 140,000 years ago and 125,000 years ago. (2 points)

Temperature 140,000 years ago: -8°C (below present)

Temperature 250,000 years ago: +2°C (above present)

2°C - (-8°C) = increase of 10°C

Ratio of Δtemperature to Δatmospheric CO2: 10:80

Scientists predict that between 1950 and 2050, the atmospheric CO2 concentration will increase by 200 ppm. Predict the change in mean global temperature between 1950 and 2050 using the ratio that you calculated in part (ii). (1 point)

200 ppm x 1°C/8 ppm = 25°C increase in global temperature

Describe one major assumption that was necessary to make the prediction in part (iii) above. Discuss the validity of the assumption. (2 points)

1. Major assumption: direct relationship exists between CO2 and temperature

2. Invalid because correlation does not remain constant over time

Identify and describe TWO major causes for the predicted 200 ppm increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration between 1950 and 2050. (2 points)

a. Increased fossil fuel usage for energy consumption

b. Land-clearing and burning for increased food production

Identify TWO gases other than CO2 that contribute to the anthropogenic increase in mean global temperature. For each gas, describe a major human activity that leads to its release. (2 points)

a. Methane (CH4)

i. Human Activity: Production of rice

b. Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

i. Human Activity: fertilizers

Identify the type of solar radiation that is absorbed by the stratospheric ozone, and describe one human health benefit that results from the absorption of this solar energy. (2 points)

a. Type of solar radiation: UV radiation

b. Health Benefit: low rates of skin cancer

The absorption of solar energy by the stratospheric ozone causes ozone molecules to undergo chemical decomposition and formation. Describe the chemical processes that lead to this natural balance between decomposition and formation of the stratospheric ozone. (2 points)

a. Decomposition: Ozone absorbs UV radiation, producing an oxygen molecule and an oxygen atom

b. Formation: an oxygen molecule reacts with an oxygen atom to form ozone

Explain the process by which CFCs lead to the destruction of stratospheric ozone. (You may use chemical equations in your answer.) (2 points)

1. Decomposition of CFC: absorption of UV radiation by CFC molecules releases chlorine atoms

2. Destruction of Ozone: chlorine atoms break down ozone molecules

Explain why the rapid decrease in CFC emissions has not led to a similar rapid decrease in the destruction of stratospheric ozone. (1 point)

1. The long lifetime of CFCs and chlorine in the atmosphere

Identify a human activity that leads to the formation of tropospheric ozone as a secondary pollutant and explain why tropospheric ozone levels peak in the daytime. (2 points)

a. Human Activity: burning fossil fuels

b. Peak during the daytime: sunlight is required to form tropospheric ozone

Identify one negative ecological impact and one negative human health impact that result from the formation of tropospheric ozone. (2 points)

a. Negative Ecological Impact: damages plant tissue

b. Negative Health Impact: irritates eyes