Hirra Anjum hirra.anjum@uet.edu.

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oExosphere oIonosphere oThermo : heat oThickest & hotest layer oWith increase in altitude temperature increases oMeso: middle oColdest layer (-90C) oWith increase in altitude temperature decreases oTropo : turning/changing oShallowest layer oWith increase in altitude temperature decreases oStrato: spread out oWith increase in altitude temperature increases

Air Pollution
Contamination of the air by noxious gases and minute particles of solid and liquid matter (particulates) in concentrations that endanger health.

Scales of air pollution

Scale Micro scale air pollution
Meso scale air pollution Macro scale air pollution

Range Size of a house /larger

Size of a city/country Extends from countries to states/globe

Air Pollutants
Primary Air Pollutants: A primary pollutant is one that is emitted into the atmosphere directly from the source of the pollutant and retains the same chemical form. They are set to protect public health with some margin of safety. Secondary Air Pollutants: Which are produced in the atmosphere when certain chemical reactions take place among primary pollutants. They are intended to protect public welfare.

Primary air pollutants

Major materials released directly into the atmosphere are; Carbon monoxide Lead Sulfur oxides Nitrogen oxides Particulate matter Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Carbon monoxide Sources/effects

Natural Sources:
Decomposition of carbonaceous material by microorganisms (160 Tg) CH4 + OH. CH3. +O2+2h CH3. + H2O CO + H2 + OH

Anthropogenic Sources:
motor vehicles emission (60%) Fossil fuel burning for electricity/heat/industrial processes & solid waste management

Effects
COHb concentration
5-10% 2.5 3%

adverse effects
Impairation of visual perception, manual dexterity & learning ability People with heart diseases can not perform certain exercises

Lead sources/effects
Natural Sources :
Volcanic activity; airborne soil

Anthropogenic Sources:
Smelter, refining processes, incineration of waste (70 80%)

Effects:
Lead Concentration 60g/100g 80g/100g 120g/100g Chronic exposure Outcome Mild anemia ,fatigue , mild headache Abdominal cramps encephalopathy Brain damage, highly acute aggressive behavior

Sulpher oxides sources/effects

Natural Sources :
volcanoes, biological decays of organic matters and reduction of sulfate) (30Tg)

Anthropogenic Sources:
Combustion of coal and fuel oils (75Tg)

Effects:
Deteriorating the building materials and adversely affect the appearance and the life of the building. Patients suffering from chronic bronchitis have shown an increased respiratory symptoms when Sox level was above 0.095ppm.

Nitrogen oxides sources/effects

Natural Sources :
Bacterial action in soil release nitrous oxide (0.45 Pg)

Anthropogenic Sources:
Combustion of gases (96 %) Transportation (40-45%) Power plants (30 35 %) Industrial sources (20%)

Effects:
Nitrogen oxides Concentration Above 5ppm (15mint) Continued exposure 0.10 ppm Outcome Cough; irritation of respiratory tract Pulmonary edema Slight increase in respiratory illness Decrease in pulmonary action

Particulate matter sources/effects

Natural Sources :
sea salt, soil dust, volcanic particles and smoke from forest fires (2.9Pg/yr.)

Anthropogenic Sources:
Fossil fuel burning Industrial processes (110 Tg /yr)

Effects :
Lungs damage Respiratory distress cardiovascular disease (hypoxemia) Note: Particulate matter is the general term used for a mixture of solid particles and liqui droplets found in the air. Some particles are so large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke

Volatile organic compound sources/effects

Produced primarily by combustion of fossil fuels Present in vapor state at room temperature A major source of man-made VOCs are solvents, especially paints and protective coatings. Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system Examples: Methane,Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs),benzene, formaldehyde etc.

Secondary Pollutants
Atmospheric sulfuric acid is one example of a secondary pollutant. Air pollution in urban and industrial areas is often called smog. Photochemical smog, a noxious mixture of gases and particles, is produced when strong sunlight triggers photochemical reactions in the atmosphere. The major component of photochemical smog is ozone.

Ozone
Ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is formed by the reaction of VOCs and NOx in the presence of heat and sunlight. Longer-term exposure to ozone may result in irreversible lung damage, chronic respiratory disease, and asthma.
Health Effects Lung inflammation Reduced lung elasticity Transient cough Chest pain Throat irritation Nausea

Impacts of Air Pollution

Acid Rain
Rain is naturally slightly acidic. Why? Because carbon dioxide in the air dissolves in the falling water to make carbonic acid. carbon dioxide + water carbonic acid
normal rain acid rain

Its a term used for rain that is more acidic than normal.
Acid rain forms when acidic gases in the air dissolve in the rain. These gases come from burning fossil fuels.

Acid rain can fall many miles from the source of the pollution.

Acid gases react together in the clouds sunlight encourages this reaction. Acid gases rise in the air.

Falling rain dissolves the acidic gases.

Burning fuels release acidic gases, mainly sulphur dioxide (power stations) and oxides of nitrogen (vehicles).

Acid rain falls to the ground. It makes soil, lakes and rivers more acidic.

What problems does acid rain cause?

Causes
Natural sources:
Lightening volcanoes

Anthropogenic sources:
Vehicles emission Powerplants Industries

Effects

Global Warming
When green house gases trap heat and light from the sun in earths atmosphere which increases the temperature.

Human activity is adding more gases to the naturally occurring layer of greenhouse gases. This thickens it so it cannot let as much heat return to space and so the temperature of the earth gradually increases GLOBAL WARMING!
What are greenhouse gases?

Name of gas

Contribution 50% 20% 16% 8% 6%

Source(s) From burning coal and oil, and the removal of vegetation From air conditioners, refrigerators and aerosols From rice growing, animal waste, swamps and landfills From air pollution From fertilizers and burning of coal and oil

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Methane (CH4) Ozone (O3) Nitrous oxide (N2O)

Global warming causes the polar ice sheets melt. It increases the sea-level. It will possibly rise 18 cm by 2030 and 58 cm by 2090. Flooding will probably occur in lowlands. Many cities along the coast may be under sea water.

Lifestyle Decisions

drive less

conserve electricity