Unit 4
Describe different types of pollution. Define air pollution. Identify sources of pollutions. Distinguish between point sources and non-point sources, and state the difference between
primary and secondary pollutants. Explain the difference between primary pollutants and secondary pollutants. List three each of primary and secondary pollutants. Explain the concept
of toxicity. Give examples of man-made pollutants and examples of natural pollutants, list sources of each, and explain the effect of each on health and environment. Various processes
airborne pollutants are subject to; i.e., diffusion, transportation, dilution, transformation and removal.

Pollution/air pollution

Primary pollutants

Secondary pollutants

Toxicity

Carcinogens

Teratogens

Mutagens

Non-degradable
Define particulates. Describe the fate of air pollution. Define photochemical smog. Describe main sources/causes, effect on environment and health, methods of controls. Explain
thermal inversion and its effects on air pollution.

Particulates

Transportation, dilution, transformation, and removal

Photochemical smog

Thermal inversion
Briefly describe what is happening to the ozone in the stratosphere. Describe the destruction cycle of ozone by CFCs.
Describe what is causing changes in the ozone levels. List two additional ODCs and their sources.

CFCs

Ozone hole

Ozone thinning

Ozone depleting chemicals (ODCs)

Stratosphere/troposphere
 UV Radiation
Explain what the greenhouse effect is and how increases in greenhouse gasses can cause the planet to warm up.
Differentiate between greenhouse effect and enhanced greenhouse effect.
Be able to list the 3 major greenhouse gasses (Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) that human activities contribute to the atmosphere.
List two(2) main sources for each of these gasses.
Explain the relative warming potentials for methane and nitrous oxide as compared to carbon dioxide.
List the one other greenhouse gas that human activities contribute to the atmosphere. List one(1)) main source for this gas.
“An Inconvenient Truth”
Describe the change in global temperature since 1860.
Explain divergent views about Global Warming theory;
Explain how changes in cloud cover (high thin vs low thick clouds) could affect global warming.
Explain how changes in the amount of ice at the poles might influence global warming.

Enhanced greenhouse effect

Global warming

Greenhouse effect

Greenhouse gases

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
* Reading assignment – “Impact of Climate Change”
Explain what the Kyoto Protocol is. Why does each country have different target?
What are the two main problems of the Kyoto Protocol?
List strategies that could help reduce global warming.
List methods to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the air and consider the pros and cons of each.

Carbon trading

Carbon sequestration

Carbon sink
Explain significance/challenges of Kyoto Protocol Phase II; Climate changes
Students can watch the video without downloading at:
http://vimeo.com/16335777
* Reading assignment - “Kyoto Protocol Winds Down as Delegates Head to Doha”