1. Do We Impact the Atmosphere?

2. Human Impact on the Atmosphere
Air Pollutant
Major Source
Effects
Carbon Monoxide
Automobile exhaust
Reduces delivery of oxygen to body tissues; impairs vision and reflexes
Nitrogen dioxide
Burning of fossil fuels in power plants and automobiles
Irritates the lungs and lowers resistance to respiratory infections; contributes to acid rain and smog
Sulfur dioxide
Burning of fossil fuels in power plants, oil refineries, paper mills, volcanoes
Irritates respiratory system; contributes to acid rain
Particular matter
Factories, power plants, oil refineries, paper mills, volcanoes
Contributes to respiratory problems, linked to some cancers, cane temperature
Lead
Smelters, battery plants
Damages nervous system and digestive system
Ozone
Reactions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlit
Reduces lung function and causes inflammation

4. Humans Impact on the Stratosphere
Chlorofluorocarbons (or CFCs): once commonly used in air conditioners, in aerosol spray cans, and for cleaning machine parts.
CFCs break down and release chlorine which mixes with the ozone
London Agreement(1991): more than 90 countries banned the production and use of CFCs except for limited medical uses.

5. Human Impact on Atmosphere
Ozone Depletion Repair: 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer treaty: 170 nations agree to reduce and eventually eliminate the production of CFC’s and other ozone depleting substances by 2006
Ozone Depletion
Risks:
Humans: higher rates of cancer, cataracts, premature skin aging, weakening of immune system
Plants: harm crops, destroy marine phytoplankton

6. Quick Check 1
Name 6 man made pollutants that impact the atmosphere. (Use ones in power point!)
What agreement banned the use of CFC’s except for medical uses in order to prevent ozone depletion?
Name 2 impacts of ozone depletion on people.

7. Human Impact on the Atmosphere
Acid Rain
Occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with water vapor in the air
Measured using Ph scale
Usually a little under 6 on this scale
To move up a number equals a 10 fold increase

8. Human Impact on Atmosphere

9. Human Impact on the Atmospheres
Acid Rain
Can harm plant and animal life
Forests can strip vital nutrients from soil
Trees may have limited growth and may be more vulnerable to parasites and disease
Damages structures built of limestone or marble

10. Human Impacts on Acid Rain

11. Quick Check 2
4. What 2 substances react with water vapor to form acid rain?
5.What are 2 impacts on the soil caused by acid rain?
6. What are 2 impacts on water due to acid rain?
7. Why would acidic rain be a consideration for a homeowner or building contractor?

12. Human Impact on the Atmosphere
Smog
Originated in 1900s from smoky fog in London
Photochemical smog: brownish haze
Results from a chemical reaction triggered by sunlight in the presence of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from vehicle emissions

13. Human Impact on the Atmosphere
Smog
May result in ozone in troposphere respiratory distress or stunted plant growth or even reduce crop yields
Air is colder at earth’s surface than air above it convection cannot occur(temperature inversion)

14. Quick Check 3
8. What combines with sunlight to form photochemical smog? 9. What are 2 impacts of smog on organisms?

15. Air Quality Index
The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality – it tells you
how clean or polluted
the air is and
associated health
concerns.
Today’s air quality.
Wake top polluters

16. Quick Check 4
10. What does AQI stand for and what is it? 11. What do each of the different colors represent when monitoring the air quality? 12. What is the forecasted AQI for today?

17. Clean Air Act How the Act Works:
The Act calls for states and the EPA to solve multiple air pollution problems through programs based on the latest science and technology information. 
For more than forty years, the Clean Air Act has cut pollution as the U.S. economy has grown.
These amendments set the stage for protecting the ozone layer, reducing acid rain and toxic pollutants, and improving air quality and visibility.