Pollution

Pollution defined as Something that is unwanted that interferes with the environment and an organisms self sustaining processes in a negative way- Something that is unwanted that interferes with the environment and an organisms self sustaining processes in a negative way- The texts The texts A change in the physical chemical and biological characteristics of air water and food that adversely effects the survival of organisms. A change in the physical chemical and biological characteristics of air water and food that adversely effects the survival of organisms.

Basic Toxicology

Toxin=Damages a living organism by ingesting or absorbed. Toxin=Damages a living organism by ingesting or absorbed. Toxicity=the degree which a toxin harmful. Toxicity=the degree which a toxin harmful. Any thing in high enough quantities may be harmful Any thing in high enough quantities may be harmful Ex water Ex water

Factors to consider Dosage Dosage Amount of exposure Amount of exposure Size and age or organism Size and age or organism Ability of organism to detoxify Ability of organism to detoxify Sensitivity to substance Sensitivity to substance Synergistic/Antagistic effects Synergistic/Antagistic effects

Dose response analysis 2 tests 2 tests LD 50 when 50% die LD 50 when 50% die Poisons-LD50= 50 mg or less Poisons-LD50= 50 mg or less Threshold dose=when a negative effect occurs Threshold dose=when a negative effect occurs

Types of effects Acute-Short exposure to a high level of toxin Acute-Short exposure to a high level of toxin Ex snake bite Ex snake bite Chronic-Long term exposure to a low level toxin. Chronic-Long term exposure to a low level toxin.

Risk assessment/management Assessment calculations of the risk taken Assessment calculations of the risk taken Management=strategies taken to reduce risk Management=strategies taken to reduce risk

Air Pollution

2 sources human and natural 2 sources human and natural Natural=volcano Natural=volcano Car=man The majority of the pollution today is from man and occurred after the industrial revolution. Car=man The majority of the pollution today is from man and occurred after the industrial revolution.

Beijing is one of the most polluted cities

Sources Primary pollutants released directly into the lower atmosphere and are toxic. Primary pollutants released directly into the lower atmosphere and are toxic. Ex mercury coal burning Ex mercury coal burning Secondary-toxins formed in the atmosphere from multiple primary pollutants. Secondary-toxins formed in the atmosphere from multiple primary pollutants. SO2 from coal +H2O H2SO4 SO2 from coal +H2O H2SO4

EPA Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency Regulates pollution Regulates pollution Regulates 6 “Criteria Pollutants” Regulates 6 “Criteria Pollutants” Carbon monoxide CO-combustion-60% car Carbon monoxide CO-combustion-60% car Lead Pb-from coal and smelting Lead Pb-from coal and smelting Ozone O3-good in stratosphere-bad in troposphere-from combustion. Ozone O3-good in stratosphere-bad in troposphere-from combustion. Nitrogen Dioxide NO2-car engines forms nitric acid Nitrogen Dioxide NO2-car engines forms nitric acid Sulfur dioxide SO2 coal and diesel–sulfuric acid Sulfur dioxide SO2 coal and diesel–sulfuric acid Particulates Particulates

Changes Since 1970 CO and lead have decreased Since 1970 CO and lead have decreased New concerns=VOC volatile organic compounds. New concerns=VOC volatile organic compounds. Toxic organic compounds from manufacturing, dry cleaning, industrial solvents, form O3 Toxic organic compounds from manufacturing, dry cleaning, industrial solvents, form O3

Smog Fog=natural water vaper Fog=natural water vaper 2 types industrial and photochemical 2 types industrial and photochemical Smog=Toxic gas Smog=Toxic gas

Industrial Smog

Industrial (grey) smog- formed from the burning of coal common Industrial (grey) smog- formed from the burning of coal common CO2 combines with particulate matter. CO2 combines with particulate matter. Problems=Sulfuric acid lead particulate matter. Problems=Sulfuric acid lead particulate matter. Lead to- pneumonia, tuberculosis,heart failure, bronchitis, whooping cough. Lead to- pneumonia, tuberculosis,heart failure, bronchitis, whooping cough killed 4000 in London

Photochemical smog

Photochemical Smog. Photochemical Smog. The brown cloud found on sunny days. The brown cloud found on sunny days. Caused by car combustion and industrial combustion. Caused by car combustion and industrial combustion. VOC, NOx, O3 combine, catalyzed by sunlight, to form a toxic gas. VOC, NOx, O3 combine, catalyzed by sunlight, to form a toxic gas. Common in baltimore Common in baltimore

Inversion Air is trapped by warmer layers of air in low places. Air is trapped by warmer layers of air in low places.

Climate change

Caused By Increasing CO2 and other green house gasses cause the green house effect. Increasing CO2 and other green house gasses cause the green house effect % caused by combustion 75% by reducing biomass % caused by combustion 75% by reducing biomass today 75% by combustion 25% by reduction in biomass today 75% by combustion 25% by reduction in biomass.

IPCC (Intergovernmental panel on climate change) report 1-Climate change is occurring 1-Climate change is occurring There is a correlation between temperature and CO2 levels (greater than 90%) There is a correlation between temperature and CO2 levels (greater than 90%) CO ppm ppm CO ppm ppm Methane ppm ppm Methane ppm ppm NOx NOx

Rise in CO2

Effects Additive effect decrease in ice caps= increased temperatures. Additive effect decrease in ice caps= increased temperatures. Increased heat = increased H2O gas=increased heat. Increased heat = increased H2O gas=increased heat. Increased temp=less permafrost=more Co2 released from the permafrost. Increased temp=less permafrost=more Co2 released from the permafrost. Increased temp= decreased land= less biota and more CO2 Increased temp= decreased land= less biota and more CO2

Impact Higher levels of water-maryland 4 th most at risk Higher levels of water-maryland 4 th most at risk Decreasing glaciers=less drinking water Decreasing glaciers=less drinking water Increased storms Increased storms

Ozone depletion

Ozone –in stratosphere is a toxin but in the stratosphere provides a defense from UV radiation. Ozone –in stratosphere is a toxin but in the stratosphere provides a defense from UV radiation. Formation Formation 3O2 + UV sunlight 2O3 3O2 + UV sunlight 2O3

Ozone depletion Occurs during the summer months. Occurs during the summer months. Caused by Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) And other compound compounds used in propellants, fire extinguishers, and hair spray. Caused by Chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) And other compound compounds used in propellants, fire extinguishers, and hair spray.

Reaction CFCs break down to Chlorine gas and reacts with ozone CFCs break down to Chlorine gas and reacts with ozone Cl + O3 O2+ClO Cl + O3 O2+ClO is stored in ice crystals over the winter. is stored in ice crystals over the winter. In the spring the crystals melt and continue to react In the spring the crystals melt and continue to react ClO+O Cl+O2 ClO+O Cl+O2

Results 26 million square Km zone of thinness (hole). 26 million square Km zone of thinness (hole). Chronic Exposure= eye cataracts, skin cancer, weakening of immune system. Chronic Exposure= eye cataracts, skin cancer, weakening of immune system. Kill phytoplankton,-primary producers. Kill phytoplankton,-primary producers.

Acid rain

Acid rain: Formed from SO2 and NOx and water into sulfuric and nitric acids Formed from SO2 and NOx and water into sulfuric and nitric acids pH=range from pH=range from Caused by coal and auto emmissions Caused by coal and auto emmissions

Environmental effects Mineral leaching Mineral leaching Sulfur and nitrogen buildup in soil/lakes Sulfur and nitrogen buildup in soil/lakes Increased aluminum buildup Increased aluminum buildup Leaching of calcium from conifers Leaching of calcium from conifers Lowering of pH in lakes Lowering of pH in lakes Human respiratory irritation Human respiratory irritation Dissolving stone-monuments buildings exc. Dissolving stone-monuments buildings exc.

2 types Dry acidic particle deposition- drops few days after Dry acidic particle deposition- drops few days after Wet deposition-drops 4-14 days Wet deposition-drops 4-14 days 1990 Clean air Act reduced SO2 and NOx levels Clean air Act reduced SO2 and NOx levels.