With much of the focus of atmospheric pollution on climate-changing gases such a
ID: 283680 • Letter: W
Question
With much of the focus of atmospheric pollution on climate-changing gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), there can be a tendency to downplay the risk posed by other pollutants. One such pollutant is sulfur dioxide, the chemical involved in acid rain, which is discussed in your chapter readings, and can also have a cooling effect on the climate. Other pollutants -- among others -- that are often overlooked as important to global climate change are methane, nitrous oxide, and black carbon (dark sooty particulates from burning of fossil fuels and biomass). Read: Read the article Accelerated Warming: The danger of clearing the air (Links to an external site.) by Anil Ananthaswamy in New Scientist (Note: You must be logged into ERNIE to use the Hunt Library). Consider the danger that these other pollutants may pose to the Earth's climate, what their sources are, and if humans or nature are the drivers of these pollutants. Compare and contrast the effect of reducing these other "non-CO2" gases and aerosols, and postulate whether such reductions are feasible, either economically or socially. Post: State your opinion on which of these pollutants other than CO2 are of more concern to you and why, backing your opinion with data from your readings, or from other sources outside the class. If you use sources outside of class, be warned: Use your Critical Thinking Habits-of-Mind when comparing and contrasting different sources, and consider - really CONSIDER - where your sources are coming from. Do you feel they're trustworthy? If so, why? If not, explain. TYPED ANSWERS ONLY NO WRITTEN ANSWERS ON PAPERS AND PICTORIAL ANSWERS !!!!!!!
Explanation / Answer
Dangers by the other pollutants to the Earth's climate: 1)Increased frequency of extreme weather events.(floods , drought , retreating glaciers.
2) Increases sea level rises.
3) Temperature differences like extreme hot in summers and extreme cold in winters.
4) Naturally systemss will alter.
5) Agricultural production is in certain regions will reduce.
6) Health problems like causing cancer,harm to the reproductive systems.
Measures to reduce these pollutants: 1) Company mobility planes to reduce commuting in private motor vehicles.
2) Propose the installation and use of renewable energies by the company.
3) Periodically information on the emissions of chemicals that cause climate change.
4) Installation and use of renewable energies by the company.
5) Suggest eliminations or substitution of products or processes that generate those pollutants replacing them with alternatives and measures to eliminate or reduce air pollution.
Main pollutants and the products from theose they produced :
1) Sulphur Oxides (SO2 ) : It is one of the causes for concern over the environmental impact of the use of fuels as power sources.
2) Nitrogen Oxides (NO2 ) :It is one of the most prominant air pollutants .Nitrogen (N) compounds, emitted as NO and NH3 are now are the principal acidifying components in our air and cause eutrophication of ecosystems.
3) Particulate matter : Particulates , alternatives referred to as particulate matter |||(PM) or fine particles are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas.HUman activities such as burning of fossil fuels in vehicles power plants , and various industrial processes also generate significant amounts of aerosols.
4) Carbon Monoxide (CO) : It is a product by incomplete combustion of fuel such as coal , natural gas or wood and vehicular exhaust.
5) Heavy metals such as Arsenic (As) , cadmium (cd) , lead (pb) and Niclel (Ni) .
6) Ammonia (NH3) : emitted from agricultural processes.
7) Volatile organic compounds : VOCs are important pollutants for air.
8) Chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) : These are harmful to Ozone layer.
Reducing gases and aerosols are economically feasible.
Aerosols influence the formation ,climate microphysics and optical properties of clouds resulting in indirect effect on the climetological effects.Deposition of such aerosols like (black carbon) can change the Earth's surface reflectivity ( albedo) especially an ice and snow covered surfaces.These are very harmfull to health also.These are formed from airborne particulate matter.
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