Pollution

Smog smog – mixture of chemicals that forms a haze in the air (Nitrogen Oxides etc) smoke from cars and factories release the chemicals

Temperature Inversion Cold winter air is held down by warm air above it. It stays near the earths surface trapping smog

Chloroflourocarbons CFC’s are chemicals formerly used in A/C’s, spray propellants and Styrofoam.

Ozone Depletion CFC’s destroy the ozone layer once they reach the stratosphere. This let’s too much UV light in.

Greenhouse Gases Gases able to absorb heat energy. Most common is carbon dioxide from fossil fuels.

Greenhouse effect Sunlight warms the earth but the extra heat is held close to the earths surface by greenhouse gases.

Global Warming increase of the average temperature of the earth Hypothesized to continue rising (could lead to problems)

Acid rain Rain mixed with acid from the smoke of fossil fuels (sulfur) - changes ph of soil and lakes

Eutrophication -eutrophication- adding extra nutrients to the ecosystem (N,P) -gets in water and causes extra algae to grow

continued -bacteria decompose dead algae and use up the oxygen that fish need to breath

Oil Spills Oil is spilled into the ocean Major affects on the ecosystem.

Landfills Liquids from landfills can seep into ground water Methane gas from landfills can seep into basements Plastic not biodegradable

Radiation Radiation released from mining and drilling uranium gets into air and water Nuclear waste from power plants must be buried.

Asbestos Long fibers that used to be used as insulation and fire fireproofing in buildings. Harmful when breathed.

Smog Effects Asthma attacks, upper respiratory problems (bronchitis)

Ozone Depletion Effects Too much UV causes skin cancer, cataracts, harms plankton and crops

Global Warming Effects Melts ice caps causing rising sea levels Changes climate (hurricanes, etc) Droughts

Acid Rain Effects Dissolves metals into water that can harm fish, crops and humans. Erodes structures

Eutrophication Effect Decreased oxygen in water causes major disruption in the food web.

Oil Spill Effects Oil poisons aquatic organisms. Impacts fishing economy (BP oil spill 10’)

Landfill Effects Polluted water raises water treatment costs

Radiation Effects Radon radiation is the number 2 cause of lung cancer in the US Radiation sickness and burns

Asbestos Effects Breathing in Asbestos cuts and scars the lungs