Envisci Lesson 7 Air Quality Supervision Part 2

Ozone Depletion
Chemical
Changes that
Affect Us Global warming
Locally and
Globally
Acid Rain
OZONE DEPLETION
• Ozone depletion refers to the significant decrease in
the concentration of ozone (O3) molecules in the
Earth's stratosphere.
• It is primarily caused by the release of certain man-
made chemicals known as ozone-depleting
substances (ODS).
• The most notable ODS are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform.
• These chemicals were commonly used in various
industrial processes, refrigeration, air conditioning,
aerosol propellants, and fire suppression systems.
Cont.
• When ODS are released into the atmosphere, they rise
to the stratosphere and are broken down by solar UV
radiation. This process releases chlorine and bromine
atoms, which then catalytically destroy ozone
molecules.
• A single chlorine or bromine atom can destroy
thousands of ozone molecules before being
deactivated.
• This destructive process leads to a thinning of the
ozone layer, resulting in an ozone hole in certain
regions, particularly over Antarctica during the
Southern Hemisphere's spring.
International Agreements
• The discovery of the ozone hole in the 1980s raised significant concerns
and prompted international action. In 1987, the Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed by nations
worldwide. It entered into force In 1989.
• The protocol aimed to phase out the production and use of ODS
gradually. The agreement has been highly successful, leading to a
decline in the atmospheric concentrations of ODS and gradual recovery
of the ozone layer.
• In 1996, a new regulation finally banned the use of CFCs.
• Ozone-friendly products that do not contain chlorine and have a
short life span (hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)) replace CFCs.
• HFCs do not contain chlorine and do not have a direct impact on
the ozone layer, but they are potent greenhouse gases and have a
high global warming potential.
• in 2019 HFCs was phase out.
GLOBAL
WARMING
• Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's
average surface temperature, primarily due to human
activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and
natural gas), deforestation, and industrial processes.
• These activities release greenhouse gases (GHGs), including
carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),
and fluorinated gases, into the atmosphere.
• These GHGs trap heat from the Sun, preventing it from
escaping back into space, leading to a gradual warming of
the Earth's climate system.
Greenhouse Effect
• The greenhouse effect is a natural
process that helps regulate Earth's
temperature.
• Certain GHGs in the atmosphere act as
a "blanket," allowing sunlight to pass
through but trapping some of the heat
radiated by the Earth's surface.
• Human activities have significantly
increased the concentration of GHGs,
enhancing the greenhouse effect and
causing global warming.
Rising Temperatures
• The increase in GHG concentrations leads to
an elevation in global temperatures. This
warming trend is observed in various
indicators, such as rising surface
temperatures, warming oceans, and melting
glaciers and ice caps.
• Since the Industrial Revolution, the global
average temperature has increased by
approximately 1 degree Celsius.
• The Industrial Revolution occurred
during the 18th and 19th centuries,
bringing significant changes in
manufacturing, transportation, and
technology through the introduction of
mechanization and factory production.
Climate Change Impacts
• Global warming drives climate change, resulting in a
range of impacts.
• altered weather patterns
• more frequent and severe heatwaves
• changing precipitation patterns
• increased intensity of storms
• sea-level rise
• ocean acidification
• shifts in ecosystems and impacts on agriculture
• water resources, and human health.
• These effects can vary regionally but are generally
disruptive and pose significant challenges to human
societies and natural ecosystems.
Feedback Mechanisms
Example:
As temperatures rise, melting Arctic ice reduces the Earth's reflectivity, leading to more heat
absorption and further warming.
White surfaces, such as ice and snow, have high albedo, meaning they reflect a significant portion
of the incoming sunlight back into space. This reflection helps to keep the Earth cool.
As the ice melts, darker surfaces, such as open water, are exposed. These darker surfaces have
lower albedo, meaning they absorb more of the sunlight rather than reflecting it back into space.
The absorbed sunlight is then converted into heat, contributing to further warming of the Earth's
surface.
This creates a positive feedback loop: Rising temperatures cause ice to melt, which reduces
reflectivity, leading to more heat absorption, and subsequently, further warming. This feedback
mechanism amplifies the initial temperature increase and can have significant implications for
climate change.
Mitigation and Adaptation
Addressing global warming requires both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Mitigation involves reducing GHG emissions by transitioning to

renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, adopting
sustainable practices, and preserving forests.
Adaptation involves preparing for and adapting to the changes that

are already occurring or expected in the future, such as building
resilient infrastructure, implementing water management strategies,
and enhancing disaster preparedness.
International
Agreements
• The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to
limit global warming to well below 2 degrees
Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with an
aspiration to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• The agreement promotes global cooperation in
reducing GHG emissions, enhancing resilience,
and supporting developing countries in their
climate actions.
ACID RAIN
• Acid rain refers to rainwater or any form of precipitation that
becomes acidic due to the presence of pollutants in the
atmosphere.
• It is primarily caused by the emission of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and
nitrogen oxides (NOx) from human activities, such as burning
fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) in power plants, industrial
processes, and vehicle emissions.
• There are some natural events such as, ignition of volcanoes,
forest fire etc. through which a tiny part of gaseous SO2,
NO2 etc. entered the air.
Cont.
• When sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the
atmosphere, they can be carried by wind over long distances. In the
atmosphere, These pollutants react with water, oxygen, and other
compounds in the atmosphere, forming sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and
nitric acid (HNO3). These acids can then mix with clouds and
precipitation, resulting in acid rain.
• Acid rain typically has a pH value below 5.6, which is lower than the
natural acidity of rainwater (around pH 5.6).
Environmental Impacts
• Acid rain can have detrimental effects on the
environment. It can damage forests, lakes, rivers,
and other aquatic ecosystems.
• The acidity of the rainwater can harm plants by
damaging their leaves, decreasing soil pH, and
leaching essential nutrients from the soil.
• In aquatic ecosystems, acid rain can lead to the
acidification of lakes and rivers, affecting fish and
other aquatic organisms.
Human Health Effects
• Direct exposure to acid rain does not pose significant health
risks to humans. But acid rain can contribute to the
formation of particulate matter in the atmosphere, which
can have adverse respiratory effects when inhaled.
• Also, the pollutants that cause acid rain, such as sulfur

dioxide and nitrogen oxides, can contribute to the formation
of air pollution, which can have detrimental effects on
human health.
International Cooperation
• Acid rain is a global environmental issue that
requires international cooperation to address.
Countries have worked together to reduce
emissions through agreements such as the
Convention on Long-Range. Transboundary Air
Pollution and the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe (UNECE) protocols
• These initiatives aim to reduce the cross-border
transport of pollutants and promote sustainable
practices to mitigate the impacts of acid rain.
Efforts to reduce acid rain have been made
through regulatory measures and
technological advancements.
These include the installation of pollution
control devices in power plants and industries,
Control the use of cleaner fuels, such as low-sulfur coal
and natural gas, and the implementation of
Measures international agreements to limit emissions.
The continuous monitoring and regulation of
emissions have helped in reducing the
occurrence and severity of acid rain in some
regions.

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Ozone Depletion

Mitigation involves reducing GHG emissions by transitioning to

Adaptation involves preparing for and adapting to the changes that

• Also, the pollutants that cause acid rain, such as sulfur

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