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Characteristics of the atmosphere
it has undergone changes through geological time, it is a mixture of solids liquids and gases
Layers of the atmosphere in order
Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
Troposphere characteristics
Meteorological and climactic phenomena
Stratosphere characteristics
Ozone layer
Mesosphere characteristics
Coolest layer
Thermosphere characteristics
Northern lights
Human impacts on the atmosphere
impacts atmospheric composition through altering inputs and outputs, such as changes in concentrations of atmospheric gases
Examples of atmospheric gases
ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapor
Where does atmospheric reactions occur
inner layers of the atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere)
Where are clouds
troposphere
Albedo
reflective properties of a surface; how much light is reflected by an object or surface compared to the amount of light that hits it
Clouds average albedo
0.5
What do clouds do through albedo
restricts the amount of short-wave radiation reaching ground below
Greenhouse effect
greenhouse gases in atmosphere trap heat radiated from earth’s surface, natural and necessary to maintain sustainable temperature for living systems
Temperature in the troposphere
temperature fall with height
Role of the albedo effect from clouds in regulating global average temperature
Low level clouds means a relatively high albedo; reflects a significant amount of sunlight, thus has a cooling effect on Earth
Role of greenhouse effect in regulating temperature on Earth
Greenhouse gases re-emit infrared radiation; the infrared radiation traps thermal radiation thus warms Earth’s surface.
Two main gases in the troposphere
Nitrogen, oxygen
Part of the atmosphere where most weather occur
Troposphere
Stratospheric ozone
is good, absorbs UV radiation
Tropospheric ozone
is bad, contributes to smog
Ozone-depleting substances (ODSs)
Chemicals that, when released into the atmosphere, can contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer
Example of an ODS
Halogenated organic gases
Characteristic of halogenated organic gases
Stable under normal conditions but when exposed to ultraviolet radiation in stratosphere, slows the rate of ozone reformation
Effect of pollutants on ozone
causes holes in the ozone layer, lets through UV radiation, damaging
Example of seasonal pattern in ozone concentration
Antartica: spring sees a reduction in amount of ozone but ozone recovers in the summer. Because air over Antarctica becomes cut off from rest of atmosphere in winter.
Effects of UV rays on people
Damages human living tissues, mutation, skin cancer
Effects of UV rays on zooplankton
Reduced rates of photosynthesis = damage
Three tiers of pollution management strategies
Changing behavior, regulating emission, cleaning up
Example of changing behavior as a pollution management strategy
Fridges with ODS refrigeration can be replaced with green freeze technology, soap instead of shaving foam
Why shouldn’t you use shaving foam
Emits aerosol
Example of actions to minimize ozone depletion
Montreal protocol
What was the Montreal Protocol
an international agreement for the reduction of use of ozone-depleting substances signed under the UNEP
Contents of the Montreal Protocol
Made national laws and regulations to decrease the consumption and production of halogenated organic gases such as CFCs; provided incentives to find alternatives, raised awareness in the use of CFCs, technology was transferred to LEDCs to replace ODCs
Difficulties of the Montreal Protocol
Harder for LEDCs to implement changes, dependent on national governments to comply, chemicals have long life thus damages will continue
Identify the ways in which it is possible to reduce the impact of ozone depletion on human health
Replace ODS fridges with green freeze technology, use alternatives to AEROSOLs (pump-action sprays)
What is photochemical smog and how is it formed
Type of air pollution that forms when sunlight reacts with pollutants in the atmosphere
Process of producing photochemical smog
Combustion of fossil fuels, produce primary pollutants, generate secondary pollutants, photochemical smog
Characteristics of photochemical smog
Hazy, brownish gray appearance, typically observed in urban areas with high levels of traffic and industrial activity
Primary pollutants examples
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
Photochemical smog in relation to primary and secondary pollutants
is a mixture of primary and secondary pollutants formed under influence of sunlight
Tropospheric ozone in relation to pollutants
Tropospheric ozone is a secondary pollutant
Effects of tropospheric ozone
Highly reactive, damages plants, irritates eyes, creates respiratory illnesses, damages fabrics
Example of an effect of tropospheric ozone
Might have caused dieback of German forests
Thermal inversion
When layer of warm air is trapped between cooler air (normally temperatures decrease as altitude increase)
Why does thermal inversions occur
Lack of air movement
Effects of thermal inversions
Causes concentrations of air pollutants to build up near the ground
Why is ozone a problem in areas experiencing atmospheric high pressure
In regions of high pressure, air tends to sink and compress, creating stable atmospheric conditions. These stable conditions can contribute to the buildup of pollutants (ozone) near the surface, resulting in higher ozone concentrations and potential air quality issues
How to manage pollution before air pollution happens
Consume less, burn less fossil fuels, lobby governments to increase renewable energy use
Example of managing air pollution before it happens
Increase use of public transportation, promotion of hybrid cars
How to manage pollution while it’s happening
Government regulation / taxation
How to manage pollution after it happened
Re-greening of cities (more trees and parks), afforestation to filter air
Sources of urban pollution
Old cars, vehicles using diesel
How can urban design help reduce the incidence of smogs
Efficient transportation systems (well-connected road design), green spaces and urban vegetation
What is acid deposition
Deposition of acidic substances from the atmosphere onto the Earth’s surface
Causes of acid deposition
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides produced when fossil fuels are burned
What is dry deposition
Ash and dry particles
What is wet deposition
Rain and snow
Characteristics of dry deposition
Close to source of emission, causes damages to buildings and structures
Characteristics of wet deposition
Dissolved acids in precipitation, falls at great distance from source
What is catalytic convertors
Part of a car that helps reduce the pollution it emits like a filter
Effects of catalytic convertors
Helps tackle emissions of NOx, but also increases Co2 emissions and reduces fuel efficienty
Effects of acid deposition
alters soils, stresses forest vegetation, acidifies freshwaters, and harms fish and other aquatic life
Direct effect of acid deposition on soil, water, and living organisms
chlorophyll loss & yellowing, thinning of cuticle
Indirect toxic effect of acid deposition on soil, water, and living organisms
Increased solubility (dissolve) of metal on fish
Main areas experiencing acid rain
scandinavia, USA, canada
Why such countries experience acid rain
downwind from industrial areas, high rainfall, thin soils
Areas that cause acidification
china, india
Pollution management before pollution
Reducing emissions, reduce demand for electricity through education campaigns, reducing SO2 emissions by removing sulfur from fuel before combustion
Pollution management during pollution
Catalytic converters (converts NOx to nitrogen gas)
Cons of catalytic converters
expensive to buy, increases Co2 emission
Pollution management after pollution
Liming lakes to neutralize acidity, international agreements
Cons of liming lakes
Expensive, only treats symptoms, not the cause
What is liming lakes
pouring into the lake a product capable of neutralizing acidity
Cons of international agreements
Difficult to establish and monitor
Examples of international agreements regarding acidification
1999 Gothenburg Protocol, 1991 Air Quality Agreement (USA-Canada)
Reducing strategies
Energy conservation, sustainable transportation
why do we need to conserve energy
Reducing energy consumption helps lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution that are caused by power generation
Ways to enact energy conservation at an individual scale
energy-saving appliances, improving insulation, promoting energy-conscious behavior
What does sustainable transportation consist of
Encouraging alternatives to private viechles
Reusing strategies
Extending lifespan of products, reducing need for new production
Effects of reusing strategies
Helps conserve resources, reduces pollution that comes from manufacturing and disposal
Recycling strategies
Collection and processing of waste materials to manufacture new products, thus reduces demand for raw materials
Examples of recycling startegies
Material recycling, e-waste recycling, organic waste composting
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