ESS - TOPIC 6 Summary

6..
1 Introduction to the atmosphere:
Atmosphere = The atmosphere is a dynamic system that is essential to life.

Atmosphere composition:
- 78% nitrogen
- 21% oxygen
- 1% carbon dioxide
Troposphere = Troposphere is the closest layer to the earth’s surface (less than 10km).
- This is the layer where most reactions affecting life occur, eg ozone and cloud formation.
- Most of our weather occurs.
- The greenhouse effect occurs and helps regulate the temperature of the earth.
Stratosphere = Stratosphere is the layer which extends 10-50km.

- The stratospheric ozone is a is a key component of the atmospheric system because it
protects living systems from the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
- Winds increase in height.
- Air is dry.
Past atmospheric changes:

- Abiotic factors = mainly temperature and precipitation.
- Biotic factors = plants and animals.
The greenhouse effect and how the ozone layer control earth’s temperature: (ESSAY)
- The greenhouse effect is a natural and necessary phenomenon maintaining suitable
temperatures for living system.
- The effect is caused by gases in the atmosphere reducing heat losses by radiation back
into space. They trap heat energy that is reflected from the Earth’s surface and reradiate it
– some back to space and some back to the earth.
- Greenhouse gases trap heat by reducing convection which removes the heat more than by
radiation.
- The atmosphere reduces loss of heat by radiation.
- Incoming solar radiation is mostly made up of visible light, ultraviolet light and infrared
heat. This passes through the atmosphere of Earth where of the 55% of incoming solar
radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface, 4% is reflected and 51% absorbed.
- If we had no greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, this heat would go straight back into
space and the temperature on Earth would fall.
- Water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane cause our atmosphere to be warmer. = They
absorb heat.
Albedo effect: (ESSAY)
o Albedo is a description of the ability of surfaces to reflect solar insolation (heat from
sun).
o The lighter the surface. The greater the albedo effect.
o Clouds occur in the Troposphere they greatly affect the Earth Albedo.
o Albedo effect: Clouds
-
- The lower the albedo, the more radiation from the Sun that gets absorbed
by the planet, and temperatures will rise. If the albedo is higher, and the Earth
is more reflective, more of the radiation is returned to space, and the planet
cools. An example of this albedo effect is the snow temperature feedback.
o
6.2 Stratospheric ozone:
Ozone layer = Ozone layer is 20-30km above sea level in the stratosphere.
Ozon = Ozone is a reactive gas mostly found in the ozone layer in the lower stratosphere.
- Ozone is a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms.
- Ozone is also a greenhouse gas.
Ozone layer:
- In both the formation and the destruction of ozone, UV radiation is absorbed.
- The absorption of UV radiation by the ozone layer is crucial, for without it, life on land
would be impossible.
Effects of ultraviolet radiation:

Increased exposure to UV radiation will have a variety of damaging effects:
- Genetic mutation and effect on health
- Damage to living tissues
- Skin cancers
- Suppression of the immune system
- Damage to photosynthetic organisms, especially phytoplankton.
Beneficial effects:
- In animals, UV radiation stimulates the production of vitamin D in our bodies.
- It can also be used to treat some skin diseases.
- Industrial uses in lasers.
Ozone-depleting substances (ODS):

- Ozone depletion is the result of air pollution by chemical that are mostly human made.
- Human depletes the ozone layer by releasing chemicals which breaks down the ozone.
- Less ozone layer = more harmful UV reaching the earth = more damage to living cells =
more skin cancer = less photosynthesis by plants.
Examples of ODS:
- Propellants in aerosols.
- Expanders of gas-blown particles.
- Pesticides
- Flame retardants
- Refrigeraynts.
CFCs release chlorine atoms which reacts with ozone. This results in the ozone destruction.
Reducing ODS:
Strategy for reducing pollution: Example of action:
Altering the human activity producing - Replace gas-blown plastics.
pollution: - Replace CFCs with carbon dioxide
- Replace aerosols with pump action
sprays.
- Replace methyl bromide pesticides.
Regulating and reducing the pollutants at - Recover and recycle CFCs from
the point of emission: refrigerators and AC units.
- Capture CFCs from scrap car air
conditioner units.
Clean up and restoration: - Add ozone to or remove chlorine from

stratosphere – not practical but it was
once suggested that ozone-filled
balloons should be released.
The Montreal protocol: (ESSAY)

- The discovery of the ozone hole led to a fast response on national and international
levels.
- Countries started to boycott products containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) by changing
to ozone-friendly spray cans.
- The Montreal Protocol (1987) is an international agreement to phase out the production
of ozone-depleting substances.
- The agreement focused on the depletion of the consumption and production of many
CFCs and halons.
- LEDCs got more time to implement the treaty.
- 197 signed the agreement.
Significance of the Montreal Protocol:
- Best example of international cooperation on an environmental issue.
- An example of many experts in their different fields.
6.3 Photochemical smog:

Urban air pollution:
1. Primary pollutants– emitted directly from a process. The process may be natural (e.g.,
volcanic eruption) or anthropogenic (human made) such as air pollution from combustion
of fossil fuels.
- Examples: carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion of fossil
fuels.
2. Secondary pollutants – formed when primary pollutants undergo a variety of reactions
with other chemicals already present in atmosphere.
- Examples: Tropospheric ozone.
Formation of tropospheric ozone:
- Tropospheric ozone is formed by the interaction of sunlight, particularly ultraviolet light,
with hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which are emitted by automobile tailpipes and
smokestacks. In urban areas, high ozone levels usually occur during warm summer
months.
Possible effects of ozone:
- Damage to plants – tropospheric ozone is absorbed by plant leaves. In the leaves, ozone
degrades chlorophyll so photosynthesis and productivity are reduced.
- Damage to humans – at low concentrations, photochemical smog can reduce the actions
of the lungs, so causing breathing difficulties, and may increase susceptibility to
infection.
The formation of photochemical smog:
- The biggest contribution to photochemical smog is from motor vehicle exhausts in cities.
It is formed when ozone, nitrogen oxides and gaseous hydrocarbons from vehicle
exhausts interact with strong sunlight.
The occurrence of photochemical smog is governed by a large number of factors including the:
- Local topography
- Climate
- Population density
- Fossil fuel use
ESSAY:
6.4 Acid deposition:

Acid deposition = Acid deposition is the general term for acid coming down from the air.
Wet deposition = Acid coming down in the form of rain or snow.
Dry deposition = Dry deposition is when the acid comes down as ash or dry particles.
Main acid deposition pollutants and sources:
Primary pollutant:
- Primary pollutant are those pollutants that are emitted directly, for example, those
pollutants leaving the chimney of a factory or the exhaust pipe of a car.
Secondary pollutants:
- Secondary pollutants are made after the pollutants leave the chimney.
Sources:
- Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released by the combustion of fossil fuels in
motor cars, industry and thermal power stations which use fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas).
- Sulphur dioxide is formed when Sulphur-containing fuels are combusted.
- Nitrogen oxides are formed by reaction of oxygen and nitrogen from the air, which
readily takes place at the high temperature during combustion of fossil fuels.
Effect of acid deposition:

Direct effects:
- Weakening tree growth in coniferous forests, acid falling on lakes and ponds decreasing
the pH of the water and affecting aquatic organisms.
Indirect effects:
- Toxic effects – increased solubility of metal ions such as alumnium which is toxic to fish
and plant roots.
- Nutrients effects – leaching of nutrients
Toxic effects of acid deposition:
- Nutrient removal effect on soil fertility = affect the soil by reducing the ability of soil
particles to hold on nutrients.
- Buildings = dissolve human buildings (e.g., limestone).
- Human health = premature deaths from lung diseases from dry deposition such as asthma
and bronchitis.
Pollution management strategies for acid deposition: ESSAY

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6..

1 Introduction to the atmosphere:

Atmosphere = The atmosphere is a dynamic system that is essential to life.

Stratosphere = Stratosphere is the layer which extends 10-50km.

Past atmospheric changes:

6.2 Stratospheric ozone:

Effects of ultraviolet radiation:

Ozone-depleting substances (ODS):

Clean up and restoration: - Add ozone to or remove chlorine from

The Montreal protocol: (ESSAY)

6.3 Photochemical smog:

6.4 Acid deposition:

Effect of acid deposition:

Pollution management strategies for acid deposition: ESSAY

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