GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEM
Air Pollution
Dr. Adhitasari Suratman, [Link]
RESOURCES
The Effect of human activity
Air Pollution
The atmosphere is a mixture of different gases,
particles and aerosols collectively known as air
which envelops the Earth.
The atmosphere provides various functions, not
least the ability to sustain life.
The atmosphere protects us by absorbs high
energy and damaging ultraviolet radiation, filtering
out deadly cosmic rays, the powerful radiation
from the Sun.
Composition of Atmosphere
Nitrogen - 78%
Oxygen - 21%
Water Vapor - 0 to 4%
Carbon Dioxide - 0.037%
Other gases make up the rest
ATMOSPHERE
Atmosphere Stratification
(Thermosphere)
Tropopause separates Troposphere from
Stratosphere.
Troposphere Temp decrease
Averages about 11 km in height.
The thin layer of gases that cover Earths surface.
Reservoir of gases,
Moderates Earths temperature,
Serves as a pathway for vapor-phase movement of
water in the hydrological cycle.
Stratosphere
Temperature inversion in stratosphere
Ozone plays a major part in heating the air
at this altitude
What is Ozon ?
Ozone is a colorless gas
that can be found in the air we breathe.
Each molecule of ozone is composed of
three atoms of oxygen, one more than
the oxygen molecule we need to breathe
to sustain life.
Ozon:: Where it found ?
Ozon
About 10% of atmospheric ozone is found in the
Troposphere (the region closet to the earth surface
from 10-16 km / 6-10 miles)
The remaining 90% of Ozone resides in the
Stratosphere (in a region that begins about 10-50 km
above Earths surface commonly known as Ozone
Layer which is part of the stratosphere)
GOOD versus BAD OZONE
Ozone in the stratosphere, absorbs the suns
biologically harmful UV radiation, because of this
beneficial role, stratospheric ozone is considered as
Good Ozone
In contrast, ozone at troposphere that is formed from
pollutants is considered as Bad Ozone because it
can be harmful to humans, plants and animal life.
The ultraviolet radiation (UV) which is invisible is constantly emitted from the Sun.
UV-B (320 - 280 nm) and UV-C (< 280 nm) are highly energetic and dangerous
to life on earth.
UV-C and UV-B is absorbed by Ozone Layer in the stratosphere and only 2-3%
of UV-B reaches the earths surface. UV-B effects to humans are reddening of
the skin (erythema) and reduction of vitamin-D synthesis in the short term,
development of skin cancer, cataracts and suppression of the immune system in
the long term.
UV-A (400 - 320 nm) being less energetic is not dangerous. UV-A radiation is
needed by humans for the synthesis of vitamin-D; however, too much UV-A
causes photoaging (toughening of the skin), suppression of the immune system
and, reddening of the skin, and cataract formation.
OZONE
NATURAL Cycle Reaction in Stratosphere
UV-C
O2 ------> O + O
Why ozone in troposphere is a harmful
air pollutant ?
Even at relatively low levels, ozone may cause
inflammation and irritation of the respiratory tract.
The resulting symptoms can include breathing
difficulty, coughing, and throat irritation. Breathing
ozone can affect lung function and worsen asthma
attacks.
Ozone can increase the susceptibility of the lungs
to infections, allergens, and other air pollutants.
OZONE and CFCs
CFCs were first synthesized in 1928 for its application use in
refrigerants, air conditioner, solvents, foam, aerosols, etc.
CFCs were/are very stable in atmosphere and do not dissolve in rain.
There is no natural processes that can remove the CFCs from the
lower atmosphere.
Over the time, the CFCs only diffuses into the stratosphere and
strong UV radiation can breaks them down. And when that happens,
CFC releases highly active atomic Chlorine
One chlorine atom can destroy over 1,000,000 ozone molecules.
CFC Chemical Structure
Cl
H
F
C
F Cl
C C
F H F
Cl F
HCFC-22 HCFC-123
18
Destruction of Ozone by CFCs
O2
Cl
Creates chlorine
+
monoxide and Oxygen is
Chlorine radical O
diatomic oxygen released
breaks bond in into
Cl ozone molecule atmosphere
UVB
Cycle begins
again O
Oxygen atom in
Cl Cl atmosphere
+ O
UV energy Produces diatomic
removes chlorine oxygen and free Breaks bond in O
atom from CFC chlorine radical chlorine monoxide
molecule molecule
19
Akibat Penipisan
The Effect of Ozon
Ozone Destruction
"ozone depletion"
The term ozone "hole" refers to a large and rapid
decrease in the abundance of ozone molecules in
Stratosphere, not the complete absence of them.
Although natural phenomena can cause temporary
ozone loss, chlorine and bromine released from
synthetic compounds are now accepted as the main
cause of this depletion.
Acid Rain
Acid rain is basically rain that has a higher than normal
acid level (low pH).
ACID RAIN
Overview SO2 Chemistry
SO2 - rapid dry deposition (not water soluble)
SO42-, H2SO4 - almost entirely as aerosols (very
soluble)
SO2 Chemistry
Combustion processes produce SO2.
SO2 can be dry deposited to the earth or can
be oxidized in the atmosphere
Gas phase reactions:
SO2 OH HOSO2
HOSO2 O2 SO3 HO2
SO3 H 2O H 2 SO4
_____________________________
net OH SO2 O2 H 2O H 2 SO4 HO2
SO2 Chemistry
Aqueous phase
SO2 H 2O HSO3 H SO3 2 H
HSO3 H 2O2 SO42 H H 2O
or
HSO3 O3 SO42 O2 H
Simple Chemical Model
O3, OH, H2O2 H2O
Oxidation Dissolution
SO2 H2SO4 2H+ + SO42-
SO2
Dry Deposition
Wet Deposition
after Parks (1985)
Overview NO2 Chemistry
NO - not water soluble
NO2 - dry deposition
HNO3 - very volatile, soluble
NO2 Chemistry
Combustion processes produce NOx.
NOx can be dry deposited to the earth or can
be oxidized in the atmosphere
Gas phase reactions:
NOx O3 NO2 O2
NO HO2 NO2 OH
NO2 OH HNO3
NO2 Chemistry
Gas/Liquid:
NO2 O3 NO3 O2
NO3 NO2 N 2O5
N 2O5 H 2O (l ) 2 H 2 NO 3
____________________________
2 NO2 O3 H 2O(l ) 2 H NO3 O2
Simple Chemical Model
O3, OH, H2O2 H2O
Oxidation Dissolution
NO2 HNO3 H+ + NO3-
NO
Dry Deposition
Wet Deposition
after Parks (1985)
Causes of Acid Rain
Burning coal. Oil and natural
gas in power stations makes
electricity, giving off sulphur
dioxide gas.
Burning petrol and oil in
vehicle engines gives off
nitrogen oxides as gases.
These gases mix with water
vapour and rainwater in the
atmosphere producing weak
solutions of sulphuric and
nitric acids which fall as acid
rain.
The Problem!
People probably couldn't live without
electricity! Therefore coal will continue to be burnt.
Also, electricity and energy are constantly
being overused.
Think of it this way: every time you turn on a
light switch or the television set without really
needing to, you're indirectly contributing to the acid
rain problem.
How Acid Rain Affects The Environment
Acid rain is an extremely destructive
form of pollution, and the environment
suffers from its effects. Forests, trees,
lakes, animals, and plants suffer from
acid rain.
Trees
The needles and leaves of the trees
turn brown and fall off.
Trees can also suffer from stunted
growth and makes them vulnerable to
weather, disease, and insects.
Lakes are also damaged by acid rain. Fish die off, and that
removes the main source of food for birds. Acid rain can even
kill fish before they are born when the eggs are laid and come
into contact with the acid.
Fish usually die only when the acid level of a lake is high;
when the acid level is lower, they can become sick, suffer
stunted growth, or lose their ability to reproduce.
Also, birds can die from eating "toxic" fish and insects.
Buildings
Acid rain dissolves the stonework and mortar of buildings
(especially those made out of sandstone or limestone).
It reacts with the minerals in the stone to form a powdery
substance that can be washed away by rain.
Transport
Currently, both the railway industry and the aeroplane
industry are having to spend a lot of money to repair the
corrosive damage done by acid rain. Also, bridges have
collapsed in the past due to acid rain corrosion.
Humans
Humans can become seriously ill, and
can even die from the effects of acid
rain. One of the major problems that
acid rain can cause in a human being is
respiratory problems.
Many can find it difficult to breathe,
especially people who have asthma.
Asthma, along with dry coughs,
headaches, and throat irritations can
be caused by the sulphur dioxides and
nitrogen oxides from acid rain.
Acid rain can be absorbed by both plants (through soil and/or
direct contact) and animals (from things they eat and/or direct
contact). When humans eat these plants or animals, the toxins
inside of their meals can affect them. Brain damage, kidney
problems, has been linked to people eating "toxic"
animals/plants.
What are
the
solutions
to acid
rain?
Solutions
1. Sulphur dioxide can be removed from power
stations chimneys but this process is
expensive.
2. Reduce the amount of electricity we use
- turn tvs off at the mains, dont leave on
standby.
- turn off lights when a room is not in use.
3. Use renewable energy like wind power, solar
panels.
4. Fit catalytic converters to vehicle exhausts
which remove the nitrogen oxides.
5. Limit the number of vehicles on the roads and
increase public transport.
GREENHOUSE EFFECT & RISING
TEMPERATURES
WHY THE GLOBAL
Natural?
TEMPERATURE OR
RISE? Human-
caused?
THE ANSWER
In 2007, the worlds climate scientists combined to
produce the single most comprehensive and
authoritative research summary on climate change:
The Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
The IPCC report summarized all scientific data on climate
change, future predictions, and possible impacts and
concluded:
.global warming is very likely man-made (or
anthropogenic).
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Earths energy balance
incoming
radiation
Solar energy reaches the Earths surface
The earth surface absorbs the energy and warms up
Earths Energy Balance
Incoming
solar
radiation
greenhouse
gases
infrared radiation (IR)
The warm earth surface radiates infrared radiation (IR)
Greenhouse gases absorb IR leaving the surface
Earths Energy Balance
Incoming
solar
radiation
greenhouse
gases
infrared radiation
Gases are energized, then emit more radiation (IR)
Earths Energy Balance
Incoming
solar
radiation
greenhouse
gases
infrared radiation
Some of this IR returns to the earth surface, warming it further
Earths Energy Balance
Incoming
solar
radiation
greenhouse
gases
infrared radiation
This process is what we call the GREENHOUSE EFFECT!
The Greenhouse Effect
Definition Radiation: energy that is propagated in the form of
electromagnetic waves.
Greenhouse Gases
Obviously, those greenhouse gases play an
important role in trapping the infrared
radiation. What are they?
In order of abundance:
1. Water vapor (H2O)
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
3. Methane (CH4)
4. Nitrous Oxide (N2O )
5. Ozone (O3)
Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse Gas Increases in the last 100 years
Greenhouse Gas Concentration Concentration Percent Increase Anthropogenic
1800s 1990s Sources
CO2 280 ppm 360 ppm 29% burning fossil fuels;
deforestation
CH4 0.95 ppm 1.7 ppm 79% agriculture; fuel
leakage
CFCs 0 0.7 ppb ---- refrigerants
N2O 250 ppb 310 ppb 24% agriculture;
combustion
O3 15 ppb 20-30 ppb 33-100% urban pollution
What determines the contribution of a
greenhouse gas to global warming?
Concentrations
H2O and CO2 are the two biggest contributors
to the atmospheric warming because of their
higher concentrations.
Lifetime
The longer-live a gas is, the higher the
contribution. e.g. N2O contribution > CH4
Effectiveness as an infrared absorber
For example, CFC
Sources of CO2
Natural: respiration of vegetation and soil detritus
Man-made: Fossil fuel combustion, deforestation
Sources of methane
Natural: end-product of the metabolism from an
anaerobic bacteria, methanogen.
Natural wetlands, termites, biomass burning,
ocean/fresh water
Man-made: gas drilling and transmission, coal mining,
biomass burning
Sources of N2O
denitrification process for energy production by
anaerobic bacteria. natural
Nitrification process (NH4+ NO3-)
Fertilizer use
Biomass burning
Combustion Man-made
Unknown sources
Sources of CFC
No natural sources
Synthetic chemicals
Global Warming
Changes in some
places will not be
good at all.
Human Health
Ecological Systems
(Plants and animals)
Sea Level Rise
Crops and Food
Supply
Human Health
Heat stress and other heat related health
problems are caused directly by very warm
temperatures and high humidity.
Heat stress A variety of problems associated
with very warm temperatures and
high humidity eg.
Ecological Systems
Plants and animals
Climate change may alter the worlds habitats. All
living things are included in and rely on these places.
Most past climate changes occurred slowly, allowing
plants and animals to adapt to the new environment
or move someplace else.
Plants and animals may not be able to react quickly
enough to survive if future climate changes occur as
rapidly as scientists predict.
Sea Level Rise
Global Warming may make the sea level become
higher. Why?
Crops and Food Supply
what can we do to make our
planet better?
Read Learning about
the environment is very
important.
Save Electricity
Whenever we use
electricity, we help put
greenhouse gases into
the air.
Turn off lights, the television
and the computer.
Bike, Bus and Walk- You
can saves energy by
sometimes taking the
bus, riding a bike or
walking.
Talk to Your Family and
Friends about global
warming. Let them
know what youve
learned.
Recycle When you recycle, you send less trash to the
landfill and you help save natural resources like trees
Recycle cans, bottles,
plastic bags and newspapers.
When You Buy, Buy Cool
Stuff
Buy Products that dont
use as much energy
Buy recyclable products
instead of non-recyclable
ones.
Solar Energy can be
used to heat homes,
buildings, water and to
make electricity.
Cars cause pollution and release a lot of
greenhouse gases into the air.
Some cars are better for the environment They
travel longer on a smaller amount of fuel. They
dont pollute as much.
Using these cars can help reduce the amount of
greenhouse gases in the air.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEM
Air Pollution
