Name: _________________________________________ Date: 10/22/15 Period: _______ NOTES Notes: Atmosphere 1.3 and 1.4: Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases What happens to most of the sunlight that travels through the earth’s atmosphere? List four ways the atmosphere affects light? How are ultraviolet and infrared radiation different that visible light? What can UV radiation do to objects that absorb it? What can infrared radiation do to objects that absorb it? What is an ozone molecule made of? Where is the ozone layer found? What form of radiation does the ozone layer absorb? List three things that too much ultraviolet radiation can cause. How do the greenhouse gases help keep Earth warm? Name four greenhouse gases. In what layer are most greenhouse gases found? What is the greenhouse effect? In time, what happens to all of the energy that enters Earth’s atmosphere? What happens when there are too many greenhouse gases? Reaches Earth’s surface absorb it reflect it let it pass through emit or give off light (not visible light though) Ultraviolet (UV): has more energy than visible light Infrared: has less energy than visible light Cause sunburn and other types of damage Usually warms them Three atoms of oxygen (O3) Stratosphere Ultraviolet (UV) radiation Increased sun burn Skin cancer Eye damage Absorb and emit infrared radiation, which keeps energy in Earth’s system for awhile Carbon dioxide Methane Nitrous oxide Water vapor Troposphere Greenhouse gases trap heat and reflect it back to Earth’s surface. The burning of fossil fuels is producing greenhouse gases faster than they can be removed by natural processes. This may be responsible for an increase in the average temperature over the past century – Global Warming The Earth would grow warmer and warmer What would happen if the energy did not return to outer space? What is air pollution? How are pollutants classified? When are gases considered pollutants? What are particulates? In cities/suburbs, where does most air pollution come from? What is smog? What are some natural sources of air pollution? What are some health problems caused by air pollution? It returns to outer space Air Pollution: smoke and other harmful materials that are added to our air. Gases (ex.): carbon monoxide, methane, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxides, ground level ozone Particulates (ex.) dust, dirt, pollen, bits of salt, ash Not all air pollutants can be seen When they are likely to cause harm Tiny particles or droplets that are mixed with air Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, & natural gas Combination of smoke and fog Dust plants (pollen) Soil Volcanoes Forest fires Irritates eyes, nose, throat, and lungs Makes it hard to breathe Besides people, what else is affected by air pollution? Describe how air pollution is harmful to bees. What does the Clean Air Act do? What does the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) do? What are some natural sources of greenhouse gases? What human activities add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere? Why are scientists concerned about human activities that produce greenhouse gases? What is happening to Earth’s average temperature? What are some effects that global warming can have? What is the Kyoto Protocol? What are scientists doing to help fight Global Warming? What does chlorine do to ozone? Where does 85% of the chlorine in the atmosphere come from? Destruction of ozone. Develop lung disease Cause extra problems for those with asthma Plants Animals (including insects) Buildings Other objects outdoors LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF AIR POLLUTION THAT FACTORIES AND POWER PLANTS ARE ALLOWED TO RELEASE. SETS RULES FOR MAKING CAR EXHAUST CLEANER Measures air pollution and works to enforce laws passed by congress Forest fires farming plant growth Volcanoes other natural processes Use of fossil fuels in power plants, cars, factories, and homes They are producing greenhouse gases faster than natural processes can remove these gases from the atmosphere It has gone up by about 1 degree since 1980. Shortages in sources of food, amount of water and other resources available, human health An international agreement for reducing greenhouse gases. Require developed nations to release roughly 5% less greenhouse gases each year than they did in 1990. Developing ways to heat and cool buildings, transport people and goods, and make products using less energy Developing alternative sources of “clean” energy. Break it apart and form regular oxygen Human activities, chlorofluorocarbons used in cooling systems, spray cans, and foam packaging The amount of ozone in the stratosphere varies from place to place and changes with the seasons. Cold temperatures and sunshine make the ozone over the south pole very sensitive to the chemicals that destroy ozone. The amount of ozone over the south pole has decreased by half over the last 20 years. Man-made chemicals or pollutants burn a hole in the ozone layer. What causes holes in the ozone layer? Protecting the ozone. How can we find out what the air pollution is like each day? What does the Air Quality Index (AQI) tell us? What is stewardship? In 1987, more than 180 nations signed an agreement called the Montreal Protocol, a plan to stop the making and using of chemicals that harm the ozone layer. This was meant to help protect and restore the ozone. In 2002, North Carolina’s General Assembly enacted the North Carolina Clean Smokestacks Act, a landmark piece of legislation designed to curb pollution from coal-fired power plants. The Air Quality Index, which can be found in newspapers, reported on TV or radio, and at many websites on the internet. Reports are specific information for ozone, particulates, nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, carbon monoxide. Possible health impacts of the air quality that day, and who is most likely to be affected. The responsibility of all people to protect the Earth’s natural resources, manage their use, and preserve the Earth for future generations.