Biology Project 6B 21 Leung Ming Hon g 6B 25 So Kam Hei
Mar 28, 2015
Biology Project
6B 21 Leung Ming Hong
6B 25 So Kam Hei
Air Pollution
Source of air pollution (human)
Air Pollutants from:
1. Factory
2. Vehicle
3. Smoking
4. Construction site
Source of air pollution (natural)
Volcano eruption produces sulphur dioxide
Digestion in cows produces methane SO2 and CH4 are air pollutants
There are many kinds of air pollutants
1. Carbon monoxide and carbon1. Carbon monoxide and carbon 2. Unburnt hydrocarbons2. Unburnt hydrocarbons 3. Sulphur dioxide3. Sulphur dioxide 4. Oxides of nitrogen4. Oxides of nitrogen 5. Photochemical smog5. Photochemical smog 6. 6. Repairable Suspended Particulates (RSPs) 7. Ozone 7. Ozone
1. Carbon monoxide and carbon Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas emitted into the atmosphere by incomplete
combustion processes formed by the oxidation of hydrocarbons and
other organic compounds. survives in the atmosphere for about 1 month will oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon particles are part of the dark smoke
that forms.
Effect Mainly emitted by vehicles on road reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of
the blood Low conc.: dizzy, headache and irritable High conc.: unconsciousness and death
2.Unburnt hydrocarbons (Volatile organic compounds) (VOCs) released in vehicle exhaust gases emitted by the evaporation of solvents and mot
or fuels
Effect
Causing cancer
Formation of smog (smoke + fog)
3. Sulphur dioxide From power stations burning fossil fue
ls which contain sulphur
Effect combines with H2O in atmosphere to produce acid
rain SO2 in air is associated with asthma and chronic bro
nchitis SO2 emissions effect air quality in urban areas Low conc. : respiratory tracts and lung diseases High conc. : cancer and death
SO2(g)+H2O(l) H2SO3(aq) Sulphurous acid
Effect
Oh, so poor
destroy vegetation and degradation of soils, building materials and watercourses
4.oxides of nitrogen (NOx) formed during high temperature
combustion processes from the oxidation of nitrogen in the air or fuel
From power stations, heating plants and industrial processes
Mostly NO & NO2
N2(g)+O2(g) 2NO(g)2NO(g)+O2(g) 2NO2(g)
Effect Irritation of respiratory tracts and lungs Causing asthma In the presence of sunlight, it reacts with
hydrocarbons to produce photochemical pollutants such as ozone
5. Photochemical smog
Sunlight acts on air pollutants (e.g. carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons)
form a new substance called photochemical smog
Effect
Irritate the eyes dangerous to people with breathing
and heart problems poisonous to plants damages rubber, paint and other
materials
6. Repairable Suspended Particulates Solid matter or liquid droplets from smoke, dust, fu
el ash, or condensing vapours Suspended in the air Particles smaller than 100 micrometers in diameter Natural: from sea (wind-blown sea-salt ) or soil Man made: from diesel exhausts, construction activ
ities and factories
6. Repairable Suspended Particulates
Usually hydrocarbon, sulphates, nitrates These small particles can enter deep into
lungs
Most of the RSP is carbon
Effect
creating dirt, odour and visibility problems health effects :risk of heart and lung disease carry surface-absorbed carcinogenic compo
unds into the lungs
Installing precipitator in factory Using unleaded petrol in vehicle
How to solve the problem???
7. Ozone
pollutant produced by reaction between nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrocarbons and sunlight
powerful oxidizing agent
Effect persist for several days and be transported o
ver long distances. irritate the eyes causing breathing difficulties is a highly reactive chemical, capable of atta
cking surfaces, fabrics and rubber materials toxic to some crops, vegetation and trees.
Air Pollution Index
Introduction
The Air Pollution Index (API) is a simple way of describing air pollution levels.
Uses
enhance awareness of public to air pollution
Alert those with heart or respiratory illnesses, to consider taking precautionary measures
AIR MONITORING STATIONSGeneral Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station
located on 4 to 6-floor buildings
Represent air quality in areas of high population density
A general air quality monitoring station located at Tsuen Wan.
AIR MONITORING STATIONSRoadside Air Quality Monitoring Station
provides information on the level of pollution very close to vehicle emission sources in busy streets and roads.
A roadside air quality monitoring station located at Causeway Bay.
AIR MONITORING STATIONS
StreetBox Urban Pollution Monitor in foreign country
AIR MONITORING STATIONSThe map below shows the locations of air quality monitoring stations
HOW IS THE API CALCULATED? Measure pollutant concentrations in the air
and analysis effect of polluted air on public Measure pollutants include NO2 SO2 O3 CO
and respirable suspended particulates. Taking the maximum of the subindices
among all the parameters measured at that station.
Photochemical smog by NOx
HEALTH IMPLICATION OF API
HEALTH IMPLICATION OF API
Descriptor API Health Implications
Low 0 to 25 Not expected.
Medium 26 to 50 Not expected for the general population.
High 51 to 100 Few or none in the general population may notice immediate health effects. Long-term effects may, however, be observed if you are exposed to such levels persistently for a long time.
Very High 101 to 200 People with existing heart or respiratory illnesses may notice mild aggravation of their health conditions. Generally healthy individuals may also notice some discomfort.
Severe 201 to 500 People with existing heart or respiratory illnesses may experience significant aggravation of their symptoms and there will be also widespread symptoms in the healthy population. These include eye irritation, wheezing, coughing, phlegm and sore throat.
The most air polluted area in HK (by API from EPD)
Station
Distribution of Hourly API (Number of Hours) (General stations)
Low(0-25)
Medium(26-50)
High(51-100)
Very High(101-200)
Severe(201-500)
Central/Western 0 432 1773 0 0
Eastern 0 517 1670 0 0
Kwai Chung 0 370 1828 7 0
Kwun Tong 0 358 1835 0 0
Sha Tin 0 414 1781 0 0
Sham Shui Po 0 337 1860 0 0
Tai Po 3 249 584 0 0
Tap Mun 0 464 1701 0 0
Tsuen Wan 0 350 1853 2 0
Tung Chung 19 296 1859 21 0
Yuen Long 0 291 1908 0 0
Distribution of Hourly API for General Stations for the period October 2004 - December 2004
Medium 17.9%
High 81.8%
Distribution of Hourly API for Roadside Stations for the period October 2004 - December 2004
Distribution of Hourly API (Number of Hours)
Low(0-25)
Medium(26-50)
High(51-100)
Very High(101-200)
Severe(201-500)
Causeway Bay 0 0 2171 34 0
Central 0 32 1884 289 0
Mong Kok 0 27 1690 488 0
Very highhigh
Global Warming and Green House Effect
Global Warming & Green House effect
What are they?
certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane)More energy is keep in atmosphereThe temperature is increased
Global Warming and Green House EffectEffectChange in climate, rainfall
Impact on organism on earth
Earth has warmed by about 1ºF over the past 100 years
Increase the temperature will melt the polar ice cap sea level rise
Causes the earth to heat up, just like the inside of a car parked in sunlight
Keeps the plants warm enough to live in the winter. good or not?
As u see, increasing CO2 concentration is related to the increase in temperature
Lichen
Lichen
Lichen are particularly good indicators of gas pollution in the air
Almost all lichen are sensitive to air pollutions.
Such as SO2, F2, O3, pH or even metal ion
More: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/aq/lichen/images.htm
Lichen
Lichen + Green algae not found : SO2 conc. >170 mg/m3 Only green algae : max. 170 mg/m3 close formations of lichen on the
trunk of the tree, even in the cracks : 125-150 mg/m3
Lichen
leaf shaped lobe plates formed by leafy lichen :
60-70 mg/m3
lichen growing as a little bush or hanging like a beard :
40-50 mg/m3
Solve the air pollution problem
Solve the air pollution problem
Make maximum use of mass public transport avoid travel by car. Benefits - Reduces the emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulates
from road vehicles.
Maintain your car engine keep your car engine properly tuned. Benefits - Saves fuel, money and air pollution.
Switch off idling engines switch off engine while waiting. Benefits - Saves fuel, money and air pollution.
On road:
Solve the air pollution problem
Switch off domestic appliances turn off fans, air-conditioners, lights, etc. when not required.
Use non-aerosol consumer products hair sprays, pesticides often use hydrocarbons as their propellants. Benefits: Reduce the formation of ozone.
At home:
Sources http://enviro.nicesoda.com/~S077_01/greenpost.php?flash=
true http://www.imor.org.mk/programmes/planet/ghouse.htm http://home.school.net.hk/~chemmag/issue6/ming-k/greenh
ouseeffect.html http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/acidrain.html http://www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain/ http://www.smartown.com/sp2000/AIDS/index.htm http://www.cleartheair.org.hk/api.htm http://www.meteorology.org.hk/acid_guide.htm http://www.foek.hu/korneteng/utalas/utal4_7.htm http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/aq/lichen/images.htm http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/air_
maincontent.html Advanced-level Biology for Hong Kong Vol.1
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