2.2 Monitoring Air Quality 2.2 Monitoring Air Quality and the Atmosphere and the Atmosphere

GO C2Identify processes for Measuring the Quantity of Different Substances in the Environment and for Monitoring air and water Quality.

Composition of Air Composition of Air

Air is comprised of:Air is comprised of: 78% Nitrogen78% Nitrogen 21% Oxygen21% Oxygen < 1% Argon< 1% Argon 0.03% Carbon 0.03% Carbon

DioxideDioxide Traces of Hydrogen,Traces of Hydrogen,

and Neon and Neon

Guided QuestionGuided QuestionWhy is it important to monitor the quality of our air and atmosphere?

Air quality can be determined in two ways:Air quality can be determined in two ways:

By measuring levels of pollutants in the airBy measuring levels of pollutants in the air

(ground level ozone)(ground level ozone)

By estimating the amount of emissions from By estimating the amount of emissions from pollution sourcespollution sources

(Fort McMurray oil sands)(Fort McMurray oil sands)

http://www.environment.alberta.ca/apps/aqhi/aqhi.aspx

Sulfur DioxideSulfur Dioxide SOSO2(g)2(g) is a major air pollutant is a major air pollutant Forms both smog and acid rainForms both smog and acid rain Formed when sulfur is combined with oxygenFormed when sulfur is combined with oxygen

2 SO2 SO2(g) 2(g) + 4 H+ 4 H22OO(l) (l) + 2 CaCO+ 2 CaCO3(s) 3(s) + O2+ O2(g) (g) CaSO CaSO44·2 H·2 H22OO(s) (s) + +

2 CO2 CO2(g2(g

Can also be formed when fossil fuels are burnt (coal, Can also be formed when fossil fuels are burnt (coal, oil, natural gas)oil, natural gas)

It can harm your health by causing respiratory It can harm your health by causing respiratory problems and eye problemsproblems and eye problems

Industrial and electrical plants use “scrubbers” to Industrial and electrical plants use “scrubbers” to reduce the SOreduce the SO22 emissions by 99% emissions by 99%

Limestone is reacted with the sulfur to produce Limestone is reacted with the sulfur to produce gypsumgypsum

Nitrogen OxidesNitrogen Oxides

NONOx(g) x(g) are also major air pollutants that form acid are also major air pollutants that form acid rain and smograin and smog

The “x” in the formula indicate that it is a mixture The “x” in the formula indicate that it is a mixture of NOof NO22 and NO and NO

These are formed mainly from the combustion of These are formed mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels, or industrial or electrical plants fossil fuels, or industrial or electrical plants

The nitrogen from the burning of the fossil fuel The nitrogen from the burning of the fossil fuel combines with the oxygen to form NO it then combines with the oxygen to form NO it then combines with the Ocombines with the O22 in the atmosphere to form in the atmosphere to form NONO22 (this gives a brown color) (this gives a brown color)

Carbon Monoxide - COCarbon Monoxide - CO(g)(g)

Is called the silent killer – it is colorless and odorlessIs called the silent killer – it is colorless and odorless

It is formed when substances burn that contain carbon.It is formed when substances burn that contain carbon.

COCO(g) (g) forms if there is not enough oxygen in the air to forms if there is not enough oxygen in the air to produce COproduce CO2(g) 2(g)

The main source is combustion of fossil fuels ( burning The main source is combustion of fossil fuels ( burning wood, airplane exhaust, cigarette smoke) wood, airplane exhaust, cigarette smoke)

What carbon monoxide does is reduces the amount of What carbon monoxide does is reduces the amount of oxygen that the blood carries in the body causing oxygen that the blood carries in the body causing headaches, sleepiness, brain damage and possibly headaches, sleepiness, brain damage and possibly deathdeath

This is a reason why in the winter we are reminded to This is a reason why in the winter we are reminded to open the garage doors and move the car out to warm open the garage doors and move the car out to warm it up – allowing the CO to be released!it up – allowing the CO to be released!

Ground Level Ozone – OGround Level Ozone – O33

This is an odorless and colorless gas alsoThis is an odorless and colorless gas also

It is made up of 3 oxygen atoms It is made up of 3 oxygen atoms

At ground level it is formed from reactions with nitrogen At ground level it is formed from reactions with nitrogen and VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) and VOC’s (volatile organic compounds)

Most VOC’s come from man-made products like Most VOC’s come from man-made products like gasoline!gasoline!

Many large cities have warnings (TWN) especially in the Many large cities have warnings (TWN) especially in the summer as these pollutants are kept close to the earth’s summer as these pollutants are kept close to the earth’s surface due to the heat surface due to the heat

People with asthma, children, or respiratory problems or People with asthma, children, or respiratory problems or even a healthy adult that is outside in these conditions even a healthy adult that is outside in these conditions can do further damage to their lungscan do further damage to their lungs

Chemicals in the air can cause mild to serious effects in local areas, but chemicals in the atmosphere can have serious global effects. Ozone depletion and climate change are the primary concerns internationally.

Chemicals in the Environment

Carbon Dioxide As A Greenhouse Gas

Carbon dioxide occurs naturally in the environment, but increasing amounts that are being produced by various human activities is creating a concern globally. The increasing population and increasing use of fossil fuels is creating some issues.

The Greenhouse Effect

The Greenhouse Effect is a naturally occurring event, the result of greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases) trapping some of the outgoing energy - retaining heat in a way somewhat similar to the glass panels of a greenhouse, helping to maintain the Earth's average surface temperature of 15°C.

The Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Many scientists support the theory that the enhanced greenhouse effect is causing temperatures to increase around the world.

Human activities: essentially, the burning of fossils fuels is the primary reason.

Global Warming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab6jV4VBWZE

It is not just human activities that are contributing to global warming, but volcanoes and forest fires are also part of the cause. The questions remain

What should be done? Or

Can we do anything about it at all?