AIR & NOISE POLLUTION
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/prevent-air-pollution-e1445615050321.jpg
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lecture students should be able to:
•
Describe the structure of the atmosphere.
•
List the sources of the different types of pollutants in the air.
•
Differentiate between primary and secondary pollutants.
•
Describe the action of greenhouse gases in the greenhouse
effect.
•
Explain the
environment.
impact
of
acid
deposition
on
the
OBJECTIVES
•
Describe the impact of increased atmospheric carbon
dioxide on global warming.
•
Analyse the impact climate change has on Caribbean
States.
•
Explain the importance of the ozone layer.
•
Describe the impact of halons on the ozone layer.
•
Describe the impact of ozone depletion.
•
Understand the impact of noise pollution on the
environment.
The
Atmosphere
Thin, gaseous
envelope
of air around earth =
ATMOSPHERE
http://ut-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wpcontent/uploads/2010/02/Thinning-Upper-Atmosphere.jpg
THE ATMOSPHERE
http://www.theozonehole.com/images/atmospbhere.gif
TROPOSPHERE
• Atmosphere’s inner
layer
• Contains most of
earth’s air
• N2 (78%), O2 (21%),
CO2 (0.04% )
http://www.vtaide.com/png/images/atmosphere.jpg
• Weather occurs
here
• Temperature drops with an increase in altitude
STRATOSPHERE
• Layer above troposphere
• Temperature rises with altitude
• Contains the ozone layer (our global sunscreen)
https://smd-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/science-red/s3fs-public/atoms/files/layers_strip.gif
WHAT IS AIR POLLUTION?
One or more chemicals in high enough concentrations
in the air to:
1) Harm organisms or
materials
2) Alter climate
http://www.lbl.gov/Education/HGP-images/air-pollution.jpg
These chemicals are called air pollutants.
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION
SOURCES
OF AIR
POLLUTION
NATURAL EVENTS
e.g. volcanic
eruptions, dust
storms
HUMAN ACTIVITIES
e.g. emissions from
cars and smoke
stacks
SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION
https://www.nature.nps.gov/air/aqbasics/images/types_of_sources_02-2012.jpg
MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS
1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Linked to global warming
2. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Linked to acid deposition
3. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Linked to global warming and acid deposition
MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS
4. Volatile Organic Compounds
e.g., methane, propane,
benzene, chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs)
• Found in paints and protective
coatings
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/air/images/summersmog.jpg
Leads to long-term health risks such as:
• A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM IN
INFANTS
• RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
MAJOR AIR POLLUTANTS
5. Suspended Particles
SOLID
PARTICLES:
• Dust
• Soot
• Asbestos
LIQUID
DROPLETS
• Pesticides
• Sulphuric
acid
LINKED TO RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
TYPES OF AIR POLLUTANTS
Primary Pollutant:
Added directly to the air by natural events or human
activities
e.g. sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
http://nptel.iitm.ac.in/courses/Webcourse-contents/IIT-Delhi/Environmental%20Air%20Pollution/air%20pollution%20(Civil)/Module-1/images1/35.gif
TYPES OF AIR POLLUTANTS
Secondary Pollutant:
Formed in atmosphere
combination of :
by
primary air pollutant + normal
air components
OR
primary air pollutant +
another air pollutant
e.g. ozone, sulphur trioxide
http://mecap.metroeastdigital.org/wpcontent/uploads/2012/07/fig-7.jpg
OZONE IN THE TROPOSPHERE
(POLLUTANT)
http://capita.wustl.edu/capita/capitareports/GlobeO3/goodbad1.gif
OZONE IN THE TROPOSPHERE
(POLLUTANT)
Trace amounts of O3 that form in the troposphere as a
component of urban smog causes damage to:
• Plants
• Materials, e.g., rubber
• Respiratory systems of
humans & other animals
http://capita.wustl.edu/capita/capitareports/GlobeO3/goodbad1.gif
URBAN AIR POLLUTION
Smog:
• Originally a combination of smoke & fog
• Now describes other mixtures in the atmosphere
http://oecotextiles.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/smog.jpg
SMOG IN CHINA
http://www.antarcticajournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/chinasmog.jpg
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE & TOPOGRAPHY
ON AIR POLLUTION
High average
annual
precipitation
Cleanse air of
pollutants
Winds
Sweep pollutants
away; carries in
fresh air
Presence of hills
and mountains
Reduce air flow in
valleys; build up of
pollutants there
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE & TOPOGRAPHY
ON AIR POLLUTION
Presence of
buildings (cities)
Slows wind speed;
removal and dilution
of pollutants reduced
EFFECT OF NORMAL AIR MOVEMENTS ON
AIR POLLUTION
Principle of hot air
rising; cold air
sinking
Continuous air
mixing; pollutants do
not build up on
ground
TEMPERATURE INVERSION
• Also called thermal inversion
NORMALLY:
DAY
NIGHT
• Night: land is cooler, the air
near the ground is also cool
and dense
• Day: air on the ground heats
up, get less dense and thus
rises
Air is continually mixed.
http://fowlerearthscience.weebly.com/uploads/3/2/4/8/32
48959/6915081_orig.jpg
TEMPERATURE INVERSION
IN AN INVERSION:
• Cool air near the ground is trapped beneath a layer
of warmer air
• Cooler air with
pollutants is
denser and so it
does not rise.
http://media.buzzle.com/media/images-en/buzzle/450-temperature-inversion.jpg
TEMPERATURE INVERSION
Smoke rising in
Lochcarron, Scotland
and
http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/81/131281-0047991AD67.jpg
Kingston, Jamaica being
stopped by an overlying
layer of warmer air –
thermal inversion
TEMPERATURE INVERSION:
KINGSTON, JAMAICA
© Christine O’Sullivan
TEMPERATURE INVERSION:
JAMAICA
© Christine O’Sullivan
TEMPERATURE INVERSION:
LOCHCARRON, SCOTLAND
http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/81/131281-004-7991AD67.jpg
ACID DEPOSITION
• The falling of acids and
acid-forming compounds
from the atmosphere to
the earth’s surface
• Commonly known as
acid
rain
–
wet
depositions of droplets of
acids
http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/acid-rain-1a.jpg
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ACID
DEPOSITION
• Contributes to human
respiratory diseases
• Damages foliage and
tree roots; weaken trees
• Contaminate and kills
fish
https://s-media-cacheak0.pinimg.com/originals/35/4b/0b/354b0b354b80a268528696c40a3
74d1c.jpg
• Laying of thin, fragile
eggs (birds)
• Damages statues, buildings, metals, & car finishes
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Natural effect that traps
heat in the
troposphere
then radiates it back
toward earth’s surface
http://www.way2science.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/greenhouseeffect.jpg
http://www.way2science.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/greenhouse-effect.jpg
GREENHOUSE GASES
These are the gases in the
troposphere that cause the
greenhouse effect
THEY INCLUDE:
PREDOMINANT GHGS
• Carbon dioxide
• Water vapour
•
•
•
•
Ozone
Methane
Nitrous oxide
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
http://minnesotansforglobalwarming.com/m4gw/2010/07/16/greenhouse_ga
ses_in_atmosphere.jpg
CARBON DIOXIDE
GHG with the greatest warming effect.
RELATIVE AMOUNT OF WARMING THAT EACH GAS IS
CURRENTLY CAUSING IN THE ATMOSPHERE
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Fourth Assessment Report (2007).
GLOBAL WARMING
Activities linked to Global Warming include:
Activities
1. Burning of fossil fuels
2. Use of CFCs
3. Deforestation
Link to Global
Warming
Releases GHGs
CFC are GHGs
Removes trees which
remove CO2 from
atmosphere (by
photosynthesis)
GLOBAL WARMING VS. CLIMATE CHANGE
Global Warming
Refers to the
overall warming
of the planet,
based on average
temperature
Climate Change
Refers to changes
in climate
characteristics
over long term
periods
One UN Training Service Learning Platform on Climate Change UN CC:LEARN Introduction to climate Science, 2014
POSSIBLE IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON
CARIBBEAN STATES
Melting polar ice caps
sea level rise
coastal erosion
• loss of beaches
• loss of property
• implications for
tourism
• habitat loss
https://aos.iacpublishinglabs.com/question/aq/1400px-788px/causes-polar-icecaps-melt_fa6d6b2b5c47857a.jpg?domain=cx.aos.ask.com
POSSIBLE IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON
CARIBBEAN STATES
Higher sustained average
Temperatures (air & sea)
Human health
effects
Coral
bleaching
• habitat loss
• heat strokes
• loss of shore
• increase in
protection
vectors e.g.
• affects tourism
mosquitoes
(causes diseases) and fisheries
Agriculture
• affect crops
• food security
affected
POSSIBLE IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON
CARIBBEAN STATES
Decreased annual precipitation
physical water scarcity (drought)
Human health
related issues
Affects
agriculture
Affects forest
vegetation
Prevalence
of infectious
diseases
(via
pathogens)
less water for
crop irrigation
loss of habitat
food security
issue
drop in
biodiversity
POSSIBLE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
ON CARIBBEAN STATES
more severe weather events
•
•
•
•
loss of lives
loss of property
destruction of crops
and livestock
habitat destruction =
decline in biodiversity
CLIMATE MITIGATION MEASURES
Mitigation Measures:
Seek to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, they include:
• Less reliance on fossil fuels
RENEWABLE ENERGY
• Reduce total energy demand
http://epa.gov/sciencematters/climatechange/images/solar-mill.jpg
CONSERVATION; EFFICIENCY
• Reduce deforestation
CLIMATE ADAPTATION MEASURES
Adaptation Measures:
Strategies that increase our chances of survival and preserve
other organisms.
THEY INCLUDE:
• Expanded rainwater
harvesting and
water conservation
• Adjustment of
planting dates and
crop varieties
• Relocation
http://www.marinebuzz.com/marinebuzzuploads/groundwaterandrainwaterharvesting_9D25/Rain_Water_Harvesting_5.png
GLOBAL NEGOTIATIONS
• United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) (1992): global treaty
for climate change action
• Kyoto Protocol (2005): Sought to
limit GHG emissions by
developed countries between
2008-2012
• Paris Agreement (2015): carbon
emission reduction commitments
from 187 countries starting in
2020.
http://cdn.phys.org/newman/gfx/news/hires/2009/agaphicsho
wi.jpg
OZONE LAYER
•
Layer of gaseous
ozone that protects
life on earth by
filtering out harmful
ultraviolet radiation
from the sun.
•
Being depleted by
CFCs, halons and
other chemicals
http://www.okiu.ac.jp/Language/contest/02/12/ozone.gif
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS)
These chemicals destroy our ozone layer –
“ozone eaters”
• USED IN:
❖
❖
❖
❖
aerosol spray cans
air conditioners
refrigerators
cleaners for
electronic parts
❖ hospital sterilants
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/images/ozone/cfc_collage.jpg
❖ fumigants
❖ plastic foam
IMPACT OF OZONE DEPLETION
• Increased cases of cancer & cataracts
• Suppression of human immune system
• Lowers crop yield
• Degradation of materials
• Reduction in phytoplankton
http://www.okiu.ac.jp/Language/contest/02/12/ozone.gif
MONTREAL PROTOCOL
The Montreal Protocol
on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone
Layer – international
treaty designed to
protect the ozone layer
• Agreed on in 1987
• Came into force 1989
• > 150 countries
http://bcclimatechampions.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/cfc-freemolding-s.jpg
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
• The physical, chemical and
biological characteristics of air
within a habitable structure.
• Factors affecting indoor air quality:
❖ Lack of ventilation
❖ Organisms (e.g. mold)
❖ Chemical use
• “Sick building syndrome”: eye
irritations, nausea, headaches,
respiratory infections and fatigue.
http://www.healthtechallergy.com/sites/all/themes/theme341/i
mages/indoor-air-quality.jpg
NOISE POLLUTION
Any unwanted, disturbing
or harmful sound
http://edwin.sjfc.edu/kpoppenberg/e-port/pollutionunit/np.jpg
IMPACT OF NOISE POLLUTION
NonAuditory
Effects
Auditory
Effects
• Permanent deafness
• Temporary hearing
impairment
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hypertension
Irritability
Migraines
Gastric ulcers
Increased aggression
Reduced work
efficiency
• Whales, dolphins and porpoises,
affected by noise from sonar,
commercial
shipping
and
drilling for oil and gas.
• Become startled by high pitched
sounds; may surface too fast
causing symptoms similar to “the
bends”.
• May mask communication
between individuals
interfering with finding food and with their ability to
interpret environment.
http://www.macroevolution.net/images/right-whale-350391-19.jpg
IMPACT OF NOISE POLLUTION
IMPACT OF NOISE POLLUTION
• Loud
noise
disturbs
beetles
tunnelling,
feeding and reproduction
habits.
• Caused beetles to kill
each other, (alternative
method of pest control
when
beetles
infest
trees).
http://webecoist.momtastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/NoisePollution.jpg
SOLUTIONS TO AIR & NOISE
POLLUTION
Pollution Type
Noise Pollution
Indoor Air Pollution
Solutions
Enforce air & noise pollution laws
Ban or limit smoking to wellventilated areas
Use office machines in wellventilated areas
Increase intake of outdoor air
Use emission control devices
Tax each unit of pollution produced
Outdoor Air Pollution
Shift to less polluting energy sources
RENEWABLES
Decrease deforestation
JAMAICA’S LAWS
• The Country Fires Act (1955)
• Clean Air Act (1964)
• Public Health Act (1985)
• The Pesticides Act (1987)
• Noise Abatement Act (1997)
HIGHLIGHTS
1.
Layer of atmosphere closest to surface is called the
troposphere – weather occurs here.
2. Primary pollutants enter atmosphere in that form
while secondary pollutants are formed in the
atmosphere.
3.
Global warming is NOT caused by ozone depletion
HIGHLIGHTS
4.
Acid rain linked to sulphur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides
5.
Temperature inversion - layer of cold air below warm
air which traps pollutants.
6.
Global warming and climate change will affect water
supply, agricultural productivity & health among
others.
AIR & NOISE POLLUTION
Originally Compiled
By:
Raymond Martin
First Revision By:
Nikki Bramwell, Raymond Martin and
Damian Nesbeth
Second Revision By: Debbie Devonish, May 2012
Third Revision By:
Adonna Jardine-Comrie, December 2014
Fourth Revision By:
Nadia-Deen Ferguson, December 2014
Fifth Revision By:
Nikki Bramwell. June 2017