(10 hours)
6.1 Introduction to the atmosphere
6.2 Stratospheric ozone
6.3 Photochemical smog
6.4 Acid deposition
By the end of Subtopic 6.1 – Introduction to the atmosphere, you should be able to:
- Describe how the earth’s atmosphere has changed over time.
- Explain the role of biota in influencing the composition of the earth’s atmosphere.
- Discuss why the earth is a dynamic system.
- Identify the main gases present in the atmosphere.
- Discuss how human activity impacts on the composition of the earth’s atmosphere.
- Draw and label a sketch diagram of the how the atmosphere temperature changes with altitude.
- Describe each layer within the atmosphere.
- Explain why temperature changes with altitude within the earth’s atmosphere.
- Explain how the greenhouse effect regulates the earth’s temperature.
- Identify the main greenhouse gases.
- Outline what is meant by the ‘albedo effect’.
By the end of Subtopic 6.2 - Stratospheric ozone, you should be able to:
- Outline how in the absence of pollution, stratospheric ozone provides an example of a dynamic equilibrium.
- Explain the effects of depleting stratospheric ozone.
- Identify the units used to measure stratospheric ozone.
- Discuss the threats to stratospheric ozone.
- Explain why seasonal changes occur in stratospheric ozone over the Polar Regions.
- Discuss the approaches taken to reduce stratospheric ozone depletion.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the Montreal Protocol.
- Discuss the role of the UN in protecting stratospheric ozone.
By the end of Subtopic 6.3 - Photochemical smog, you should be able to:
- Outline sources of urban air pollution.
- Distinguish between primary and secondary air pollutants.
- Outline the formation of photochemical smog.
- Explain the factors that contribute to the formation of photochemical smog.
- Describe the impact of photochemical smog.
- Evaluate management strategies used to reduce photochemical smog.
- Distinguish between photochemical smog and industrial smog.
- Discuss how urban air pollution can cause economic loss.
By the end of Subtopic 6.4 - Acid deposition, you should be able to:
- Identify pollution precursors of acid deposition.
- Describe the main sources of acid deposition.
- Distinguish between wet and dry acid deposition.
- Explain why the impact of acid deposition can occur far from the source of pollution and be a cross border issue.
- Discuss the impacts of acid deposition.
- Evaluate pollution management strategies to reduce acid deposition.
- Outline method used to clean up and restore acidified lakes.