Embedded Files
Overview:
Overview:
In this activity you will examine some of the common types of air pollutants and their effect on air quality.
Content:
Content:
The average adult breathes about 15 000 to 20 000 litres of air each day. As you have learned, air is a mixture of gases that make up the atmosphere, and is essential for life on Earth.
Unfortunately, pollution threatens the quality of our air. A small amount of air pollution comes from natural sources, such as forest fires, but human activities, including burning fossil fuels, and industrial processes, are the biggest contributors to air pollution.
Impacts on Air Quality
Impacts on Air Quality
The pollution caused by human activities has numerous effects on our air quality. Read through some of the major impacts of air pollution below.
- Smog
Smog is a type of air pollution that is sometimes visible as brownish-yellow haze over cities. It is usually caused by high levels of ground-level ozone, or tiny particles of soot, called particulate matter (PM). The main source of this pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, in vehicles or for power generation and other industrial uses.
2. Acid Precipitation
2. Acid Precipitation
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, produced by vehicles, coal powered generating stations, and industries, are serious air pollutants. These chemicals mix with water vapour in the air to make acids, which eventually fall to the Earth as acid precipitation. Acid precipitation causes damage to vegetation and aquatic life in lakes.
This video shows some of the damage that can be caused by acid precipitation
3. The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change
3. The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change
The burning of fossil fuels has greatly increased the concentration of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, in the air. Greenhouse gases trap heat near the Earth's surface, which is essential for life, but if too much heat is trapped, the Earth will warm up. Global warming may result in dramatic changes in the world's climate, greatly affecting the world's ecosystems.
4. Ozone Layer Depletion
4. Ozone Layer Depletion
As you have learned, the ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Air pollution from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has caused a thinning of the ozone layer, allowing more UV radiation to reach the Earth. CFCs are no longer used in developed countries, but continue to be accidentally released from existing refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Some developing countries still use CFCs
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Name two air pollutants that frequently cause smog.
Sulphuric acid is made when water vapour mixes with what pollutant in the air?
Why do increased amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affect the Earth's climate?
Today, the main sources of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are released into the environment are?
Monitoring Air Quality
In Ontario, the Ministry of the Environment monitors and reports on air quality throughout the province. Six key pollutants considered in determining air quality are:
sulphur dioxide
reduced sulphur compounds
ozone
carbon monoxide
nitrogen dioxide
fine particulate matter
Based on hourly measurements of these six pollutants, the Air Quality Index (AQI) value is calculated. The AQI is a rating scale for outdoor air quality in Ontario. The lower the AQI value, the cleaner the air.
To inform residents about poor air quality, the Ministry of the Environment issues three-day Air Quality Forecasts.
Since air pollutants don't pay attention to international borders (up to 50% of Ontario's air pollution comes from the United States), it is important for countries to work together to monitor air quality, and work towards decreasing air pollution.
Classwork:
Classwork:
Research the air quality in the area where you live (in this case the closest record is for Guelph). Here is air quality information from Environment Canada: Ontario Air Quality
You will record your answers to the following questions in Google Classroom
Based on other areas of Ontario would you consider your local air to be relatively clean? Explain the reasons for your answer.
Describe three sources of air pollution in your local area.
Explain two things you can do to help reduce the amount of air pollution.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse