Post on 08-Jan-2018
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Air and Air QualityIAFNR MODULE 4NATURAL RESOURCES
Our Atmosphere• Atmosphere
– Mass of air and gasses surrounding the earth• Mostly nitrogen (N2) accounting for 78%• Oxygen (O2) makes up about 21%• 1% for all other gasses including
– Water vapor in clouds, argon gas, carbon dioxide, ozone and others
• Troposphere– Known as the lower atmosphere, extends upward from earth’s surface
• Other Layers of the atmosphere– Stratosphere– Mesosphere– Thermosphere
Breath in! Ah! Can you feel that? That’s the air of our
atmosphere!
Image retrieved from: http://atmospherenincyhector.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html
Our Atmosphere
Air Quality• In reality, no such thing as completely clean air (like water)• Atmosphere constantly affected by impurities
– Ex: dust and ash from burning space particles and meteorites• Particulate Matter
– Pieces of solid material or liquid suspended in the atmosphere• Ex: Salt sprays, dust from land, pollen
– Picked up as air moves across earth’s surface• Human activity introduces unnatural gasses to atmosphere
– Anthropogenic- describes things that are caused by human activity
Air Quality• Other Gasses
– Be aware• Some are toxic in high concentrations• Some contribute to the greenhouse effect
– Recognize this?• Carbon Monoxide detector
– Do you have one in your house?
Image retrieved from: http://www.safety4sea.com/two-die-after-inhaling-toxic-gases-on-board-ship-17326
Image retrieved from: http://ericsenergy.com/faqs/do-we-need-a-carbon-monoxide-detector-in-our-home/
Other Gasses– Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Colorless, odorless, nontoxic gas• By product of burning carbon-based material
and the respiration process– Carbon Monoxide(CO)
• Colorless, odorless, flammable gas• Naturally occurring in the atmosphere it is not
harmful• In high concentrations it’s toxic to humans and
animals• Most emissions come from transportation-
related sources– Nitrogen Oxides
• Generated from the burning of fossil fuels• Thought to intensify asthma, produce ozone and
contribute to acid rain– Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• Strictly anthropogenic- used in industry as refrigerants and as cleaning agents
• Connected to depletion of Ozone
– Ozone (O3)• Form of oxygen gas throughout atmosphere
– Highest concentrations in the stratosphere know as the ozone layer
• Most common in areas with electrical discharges, thunder storms and electric motors
– Methane (NH4)• Colorless, odorless, flammable gas• Powerful greenhouse gas produced from
decomposing organic matter– Lead
• Almost completely removed from atmosphere– Used to be significant problem with presence in
gasoline and paint– Sulfur
• In atmosphere through fires, volcanic eruptions, and industrialized areas
• Contributes to acid rain when combined with oxygen
Greenhouse Effect • What is the Greenhouse Effect?
– The process by which infrared radiation produces an increase in the observable temperature in a closed system
• You’ve probably experienced Greenhouse Effect before….– Ever sit in a car during a hot sunny day?
• What was the temperature like in the car?
Greenhouse Effect
Why is air quality important?
• Air is a natural resource we use everyday!
• How are we going to lessen our impact on the atmosphere?
Image retrieved from: http://www.freedominstitute.org/college-admission-madness/
References• Atmosphere. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved from:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atmosphere • Camp, W., & Heath-Camp, B. (2009) Managing our Natural
Resources. New York: Delmar.• Dialogue Worldwide. (Nov 5, 2012). What is the greenhouse
effect? Global Ideas. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPJJM_hCFj0