Environmental Science 3205 Unit 5 Past Paper PDF

Environmental Science 3205 Unit 5 - The Atmosphere and The Environment Atmosphere A layer or a set of layers of gases and moisture surrounding Earth. Our atmosphere is made up of mostly nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%) and other gases!! Major functions of Earth’s Atmosphere 1) Protects from harmf...

Environmental Science 3205 Unit 5 - The Atmosphere and The Environment Atmosphere A layer or a set of layers of gases and moisture surrounding Earth. Our atmosphere is made up of mostly nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%) and other gases!! Major functions of Earth’s Atmosphere 1) Protects from harmful solar radiation 2) Traps heat 3) Provides an energy circulations system (wind and pressure systems) 4) Maintains necessary gases for life Anthropogenic Interactions: 1) Combustion -combustion of fossil fuels (gas, oil, etc.) and fire wood releases carbon dioxide and other gases which contribute to the Greenhouse Effect. 2) Industrial -industrial sources from burning fuels and gases released from production can also affect the atmosphere. 3) Domestic -domestic sources include propellants used in aerosols. Aerosols - minute particles suspended in the atmosphere. They scatter and absorb sunlight. Issues: -Can reduce visibility (haze) -Redden sunrises and sunsets  Air Quality The condition of the air within our surrounding. Good air quality pertains to the degree which the air is clean, clear and free from pollutants such as smoke, dust and smog among other gaseous impurities in the air  Factors that Affect Air Quality 1) Particulate matter - all solid and liquid particles suspended in air 2) Critical air contaminants (CACs) 3) Smog 4) Persistant organic pollutants (POPs) 5) Ozone  Ways to Improve Air Quality Individual - car pooling, wise consumer purchases Community - “green” projects, bike paths Provincial - close down incinerators National/International - Kyoto accord Methods to Improve Air Quality Cleaner burning fuels End of pipe technology Catalytic converters  Health Issues with poor Air Quality Dust mites Pet dander Older or poorly ventilated buildings - mold Pollens Respiratory health - asthma Grasshopper Effect The process by which certain chemicals, most notably persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are transported from warmer to colder regions of the Earth, particularly the poles and mountain tops. Bioaccumulation Build up or increase in concentration of a substance within an organism. Biomagnification The build up or increase in concentration of a substance through the trophic levels of a food chain. Fat soluble - dissolves in fat Water soluble - dissolves in water  Greenhouse Effect The problem caused by increased quantities of gases such as carbon dioxide in the air. These gases trap the heat from the sun, and cause a gradual rise in the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. Greenhouse gases of concern: Carbon dioxide Methane Nitrous oxides Acid Precipitation Any form of precipitation, including rain, snow, hail, fog, or dew, that is high in acid pollutants, especially sulfuric and nitric acid. pH Scale What causes acid precipitation? Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. **Humans often contribute to acid precipitation!!!!!! This is caused by gases of NOx and SO2.  Sources: SO2 NOx Local Source Vehicles, fossil Vehicles fuels Long Range Industrial Industrial Source sources moving sources moving with wind with wind Impacts: SO2 NOx Impact on Lowers pH killing Lowers pH killing Aquatic sensitive plants sensitive plants Systems and animals and animals Impact on May affect May affect Terrestrial reproductive reproductive structures, causes structures, causes Systems heavy metals to be heavy metals to be released from the released from the soil soil  SO2 NOx Economic Lowers plant Lowers plant Impact production (Ex: production (Ex: slows growth, slows growth, etc.) etc.) Method of Reduction Reduce fossil fuel use Scrubbers on exhaust pipe/smokestacks Ozone Depletion Ozone depletion is a chemical thinning of the OZONE LAYER in the stratosphere or upper atmosphere particularly by the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).  UV-B and UV-C Exposure Impact Description Environmental -Inhibits growth of green plants -Cancer in domestic animals -Loss of biodiversity Human Health -Sun burn -Skin cancer -Premature aging of the skin -Depletes immune system -Eye damage -Cataracts Building Structures -Durability and performance of materials affected -Fading Climate change The long-term changes in the average weather in a given region. Effects of climate change Changes in weather patterns in the world Changes in rainfall patterns Sea levels rise Potential droughts Habitat loss Heat stress Impacts of Climate Change Forestry -types of vegetation -biodiversity of species -adaptation of species Agriculture -length of growing season -extreme weather events -types of crops -precipitation variability Fishery -water temperature effects -species distribution -growth rates Coastal -coastal erosion Zones -flooding due to expansion of ocean water caused by melting ice -NL at risk! Extreme -frequency Weather -intensity Events -vulnerable areas in NL! Human -heat stress Health -migration of diseases Alternative Sources of Energy Wind Tidal Solar Biomass Fuel Nuclear Alternate Sources Pros Cons Wind Unlimited Depends on intensity and location Tidal Unlimited May prevent fish movement Solar Unlimited Variability by location and time of day Biomass Renewable CO2 emissions Nuclear No GHG’s or Radioactive waste pollutants released and disposal **We MUST do everything to help and try to prevent ALL of these changes!!! What is ONE change YOU will make??