Transcript Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and the Issue of

Air and Air Pollution
Chapter 17
“I thought I saw a blue jay this morning.
But the smog was so bad that it turned out
to be a cardinal holding its breath.”
Michael J. Cohen
Key Concepts
Structure and composition of the atmosphere
Types and sources of outdoor air pollution
Types, formation, and effects of smog
Sources and effects of acid deposition
Effects of air pollution
Prevention and control of air pollution
The Atmosphere
Fig. 17-2 p. 419
Troposphere
78% N, 21% O
Stratosphere
Ozone Layer
Greenhouse effect
Outdoor Air Pollution
Primary Pollutants
Secondary pollutants
Fig. 17-4 p. 421
Photochemical Smog
Photochemical
reaction
Fig. 17-6 p. 424
Brown-air
smog
Photochemical
oxidants
Industrial Smog
Industrial smog
Sulfuric acid
Sulfur dioxide
Particulates
Gray-air smog
Fig. 17-8 p. 426
Temperature Inversions
Subsidence inversion
Radiation inversion
Fig. 17-9 p. 427
Regional Outdoor Air Pollution from
Acid Deposition
Acid deposition
Wet deposition
Fig. 17-10 p. 428
Dry deposition
Acid Deposition in the US
Fig. 17-11 p. 429
Acid Deposition and Humans
Respiratory diseases
Toxic metal leaching
Decreased visibility
Damage to structures, especially
containing limestone
Decreased productivity and
profitability of fisheries, forests, and
farms
Acid Deposition and Aquatic Systems
Fish declines
Undesirable
species
Aluminum
toxicity
Acid shock
Fig. 17-14 p. 431
Acid Deposition, Plants, and Soil
Nutrient
leaching
Heavy metal
release
Weakens
trees
Fig. 17-15 p. 432
Indoor Air Pollution/Sick Building
Syndrome
Fig. 17-17
p. 434
Radon
Radon-222
4 picocurie level
Occurs in certain
areas based on
geology
Associated with
uranium and
organic material in
rock
Fig. 17-18
p. 436
Effects of Air Pollution on Living
Organisms and Materials
Damage to mucous membranes
Respiratory diseases
Damage to plant leaves and roots
Reduction in primary productivity
Deterioration of materials
Solutions: Preventing and Reducing Air
Pollution
Clean Air Act
National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (NAAQS)
Primary and secondary standards
Output control vs. input control
Emission Reduction
Fig. 17-22 p. 441
Fig. 17-23a p. 442
Reducing
Indoor Air
Pollution