Transcript The Air Department - University of Georgia

Welcome to the Air
Cleaning Department
1
Every place on Earth is an
ecosystem,
including
our club
site.
2
In today’s GEN club adventure,
we will investigate air
cleaning eco-services…
3
…on our
club site.
What is in the Air Around Us?
Gases:
• Nitrogen: 79%
• Oxygen: 21%
• Carbon dioxide:
0.03%
• Trace amounts of
many other
molecules
What is in the Air Around Us?
Particulates:
• Dust
• Salt spray
• Material from volcanoes
• Soot from forest fires
Earth’s Early Atmosphere
Volcanic activity
produced a
methane-rich
atmosphere
Earth’s Early Atmosphere
Bacteria that used methane as a carbon source
changed composition of air
Earth’s Early Atmosphere
• Later, new species
of bacteria developed
which could use
sunlight for energy.
• Photosynthesis
• Oxygen is made!
How do plants change the
composition of the air?
Gas exchange in leaves
Stomata
– Special cells that
allow gas to move
in and out of the
leaf.
Gas Exchange in Leaves
Guard cells
Once inside the leaf, gases undergo chemical
reactions with the plant’s cells
Let’s take a moment and thank
trees for the oxygen they give us.
• Everyone stand up and hold your arms
out like the limbs of a tree.
• Close your eyes and
imagine yourself as a tree.
• Take a deep breath in,
then out.
• Take a moment to thank
trees and other plants for
their gifts to us.
What other things are in the air?
Man-made pollutants
• Sulfur dioxide
• Nitrogen oxides
• Carbon
monoxide
• Ozone
Effects of Air Pollution on Plants
Gene Daniels, U.S. EPA
•
•
•
•
Damage to leaves
Poor growth
More sensitive to disease and pests
Root ecosystem effects
Can some plants withstand air
pollutions? Can some plants rid the
air of pollutants?
• Spider plants
• Pothos
• Philodendron
Let’s meet some of the other workers
in the Air Cleaning Department
Longleaf Pine
Redbud
Eastern Red Cedar
White Oak
What threatens Air Purification
on Garden Earth?
Deforestation
What threatens Air Purification
on Garden Earth?
• Deforestation
• Exhaust from cars
What threatens Air Purification
on Garden Earth?
• Deforestation
• Exhaust from
cars
• Exhaust from
power plants
What threatens Air Purification
on Garden Earth?
• Deforestation
• Exhaust from cars
• Exhaust from
power plants
• Acid rain
How does Air Pollution hurt organisms?
Species
Vulnerability
• Plants
– Lichens
– Mosses
– Oaks
– Firs
How does Air Pollution hurt organisms?
Species
Vulnerability
• Animals
– Invertebrates
– Fish
How does Air Pollution hurt organisms?
Species
Vulnerability
• Animals
– Amphibians
• permeable
skin is
sensitive to
chemicals
What will we do?
To learn about the Air Cleaning Department,
we’ll…
• meet Old Man Spruce
and his workers.
• extract pigments from
leaves.
What will we do?
To learn about the Air Cleaning Department, we’ll…
• explore the trees around us and see how they
clean the air.
• discover how trees are
protected and cared for
around the globe.
How can we help Garden Earth
maintain clean air?
• Plant trees
• Use cars wisely
– Combine trips
– Choose fuel
efficient vehicles
when replacing cars
• Conserve energy
in your home and
school