Atmospheric Pollution

Atmospheric Pollution

Many forms of atmospheric pollution affect human health and the environment

at levels from local to global.

This contaminants are emitted from diverse sources and some of them react together to form new compounds in the

air.

What is Pollution?Is the undesirable change in the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the environment.

What is “Natural Pollution?”Are the pollution that is cause by nature itselfAre pollution that is caused by natural activities

Forest firesReleases large amount of carbon dioxide , nitrous monoxide and particulates

Examples:

Volcanic Activities

Expels large amount of

poisonous gases like

carbon dioxide, sulfur

dioxide, and particulate matter.

Nature itself can cope with the pollutants that released from the

natural activities.The amount of pollutants produced are

removed by mother nature readily though dilution and assimilation

Pollution exist because the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere had

reach a critical level that nature can no longer cope with.

Different types of Atmospheric Pollutants

There are two types of air pollutants: gases and particulatesGases-The state in which a substance has no definite shape or volume Particulates- The solid and liquid droplets suspended in the air

Different Atmospheric Pollutants, Sources and Impacts

Pollutants Sources ImpactsSulfur Dioxide

Fossil fuel burning, transportation, and other combustion activities

Acid precipitation and eye, mouth and throat problems in humans

Nitrous Dioxide

Fossil fuel burning, transportation, and other combustion activities

Acid precipitation and respiratory problems in humans

Carbon Monoxide

Motor vehicle exhaust; formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels

Can destroy ozone formation, can combine with blood, and interfere with oxygen transport in the body

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile solvents like either, acetone and xylene, industrial processes, and fossil fuel combustion

Eye and respiratory irritation; prolonged exposure can cause leukaemia and cancer.

Ozone Formed when nitrous oxide reacts with unburned hydro carbons

Harms vegetations, health hazards in man at ground level, accelerates environmental temperature

Particulates Fossil fuel burning, forest fire,

Allergic reactions and respiratory problems

How Pollutants are Classified?• Pollutants are classified as

primary and secondary.• Primary Pollutants- Are those

directly emitted by identifiable sources

• Secondary Pollutants- Are products of the chemical reaction among the primary pollutants powered by solar radiation.

• Heavy reliance on fossil fuels that run the world’s economy is considered as the root cause of atmospheric pollution

• Combustion of fossil fuels and the products refine from them pose the most significant threat to the environment and to people’s health

Effects of Air PollutionIn humans, the most affected by pollution are the children, pregnant women and elderly.In plants, pollution can result in stunted growth, decrease in the number of young or seedling produced.In animals the most affected are the wild lifeIn the natural environment, pollution can cause as acid precipitation.

Three Categories of Impact in Air Pollution

Acute- (short term) This effects are usually immediate and often reversibleChronic- (long term) This effects are usually not immediate and tend to be reversibleCarcinogenic This effect can initiate changes in the cells and tissues that lead to uncontrolled growth

Acid PrecipitationAcid precipitation pertains to any precipitation like rain, fog, mist, snow, that is more acidic (pH 5.6)Such acidity is due to the formation of carbonic acid, a product of the chemical reaction of carbon dioxide with water

The Effect of Acid Precipitation

Increased pH can cause the massive release often element aluminium by replacement reactions Death to many forms of aquatic lifeForest decline since increased acidity cause by unbalanced growth

PlantsWorks of art

Aquatic life

Acid Precipitation can affect: