ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN EUROPE TULOSO-MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL

Environmental Issues in Europe Three Environmental Issues we will study: 1. Acid Rain in Germany 2. Air Pollution in United Kingdom

Acid Rain: Acid Rain – A mixture of air pollution and moisture in the air.

So why do we worry about acid rain? How acidic is acid rain? Very strong acids will burn if they touch your skin and can even destroy metals. Acid rain is much, much weaker than this, never acidic enough to burn your skin. Vinegar has a pH value of 2.2 and lemon juice has a value of pH2.3. Even the strongest recorded acid rain is only about as acidic as lemon juice or vinegar and we know that these don't harm us – So why do we worry about acid rain?

Acid Rain: The biggest source of the 'acid rain' chemicals that pollute the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels. The original material used in making fossil fuels was full of carbon, and it's decay created sulfur. So the coal, oil and gas we burn today are rich in hydrocarbons and sulfur. The fossil fuels are used In power stations to make electricity In factories and oil refineries to make plastics and other products In our vehicles which produce huge amounts of nitrogen and carbon gasses.

Acid Rain Effects: Forests Animals Humans Manmade Objects Acid rain can make trees lose their leaves or needles Trees can also suffer from stunted growth Trees have damaged bark and leaves, which makes them difficult to survive some weather, disease, and insects Fish die off, and that removes the main source of food for birds. Birds can die from eating "toxic" fish and insects. Fish can die from eating animals that are toxic. Acid rain can even kill fish before they are born. One of the major problems that acid rain can cause in a human being is respiratory problems. Many can find it difficult to breath. When humans eat plants or animals has absorbed acid rain, the toxins inside of their meals can affect them. Architecture and artwork can be destroyed by acid rain. Acid particles can land on buildings, causing corrosion. When sulfur pollutants fall of the surfaces of buildings, they react with the minerals in the stone to form a powdery substance that can be washed away by rain.

This picture shows a forest devastated by acid rain in the Jizera mountains of the Czeck Repulic Branches from a tree in Germany’s Black Forest show needle loss and yellowed boughs caused by acid rain

In Scandinavia there are dead lakes, which are crystal clear and contain no living creatures or plant life. Many of Britain's freshwater fish are threatened, there have been reports of deformed fish being hatched

                                Sandstone figure over the portal of a castle in Westphalia, Germany, photographed in 1908 (left) and again in 1968 (right). Acid rain produced by air pollution generated in the heavily industrialized Ruhr region of Germany probably accounts for the severe damage. The castle was built in 1702.

Acid Rain in Germany Germany’s major natural resource is coal which contains large amounts of sulfur. Germany is among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, and vehicles. Germany’s acid rain pollution greatly affects the countries that surround it. Because Europe has prevailing winds the air pollution is often carried by the wind 1,000 miles in only five days. Since Scandinavia and Poland is downwind from Germany, they suffer the most from acid rain.

Prevailing Wind

Air Pollution in the United Kingdom -What is air pollution -What causes air pollution in the UK -What are the effects of air pollution in UK -How does air pollution in the UK affect the rest of Europe

On a large scale, air pollution results in: Smog - pollutant particles that often mix with fog and restrict visibility. The Greenhouse Effect - a condition in which pollution stops radiation from traveling out of the Earth's atmosphere. This upset to the natural process means that temperatures on Earth may not be maintained within natural ranges. Global warming - temperatures on Earth become warmer due to the Greenhouse Effect. Holes in the ozone layer - this layer of ozone naturally keeps ultra-violet rays from the sun from reaching Earth. Holes make it possible for the rays to reach us.

Sources of Air Pollution •Stationary sources –factories, power plants, and smelters •Mobile Sources –cars, buses, planes, trucks, and trains

Winter Smog: Formed by: Smog is the Main Type of Air Pollution in the United Kingdom. Smog is a type of large-scale outdoor pollution. It is caused by chemical reactions between pollutants derived from primarily automobile exhaust industrial emissions London Fog Summer Smog: Formed by: Action of sunlight on these pollutants forms low-level ozone close to the ground Winter Smog: Formed by: Pollutants building up at ground level in urban areas. The 'lid' of cold air above the warm air traps the pollutants

Effects of Air Pollution in UK It kills plants and trees by destroying their leaves, and can kill animals, especially fish in highly polluted rivers. Air pollution can affect our health in many ways with both short-term and long-term effects. short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys

How Air Pollution in UK affects the Rest of Europe Because it is located in the atmosphere, air pollution is able to travel easily.  As a result, air pollution is a global problem The prevailing winds of Europe push the air pollution eastward from the UK towards the mainland of Europe and parts of Scandinavia Air pollution in UK has been the subject of cooperation and conflict with other European countries

Prevailing Wind