Main sources of Air Pollutants Power plant and vehicular emissions

Main sources of Air PollutantsMain sources of Air Pollutants

• Power plant and vehicular emissions

MingPao News 24 June 1999MingPao News 24 June 1999

Collection of Collection of Rain Water SampleRain Water Sample

A simple methodology for rain collectionA simple methodology for rain collection

Rain Collector

Automatic rain collector used in Hong KongSources: HKEPD

The Effects of Acid RainThe Effects of Acid Rain

Effects of Acid RainEffects of Acid Rain

Forest ecosystemsForest ecosystems Aquatic ecosystemsAquatic ecosystems Materials and buildingsMaterials and buildings Human healthHuman health VisibilityVisibility

Effects on Forest Effects on Forest EcosystemsEcosystems

H+ binds to soil particles, H+ binds to soil particles, pushing out other nutrientspushing out other nutrients

H+

H+

H+

H+

H+

H+Mg++

Mg++

Mg++

Mg++K+

K+K+

Ca++ Ca++

K+

H+

H+

H+

H+

H+Mg++

Ca++

K+

Ca++

Mg++

Ca++K+Mg++

Effects on Forest Effects on Forest EcosystemsEcosystems

stresses the plants – stresses the plants – increases their increases their susceptibility to pests, susceptibility to pests, frost damage, disease frost damage, disease

leaves begin to die, leaves begin to die, photosynthesis is photosynthesis is reduced, and reduced, and eventually the trees eventually the trees die.die.

Sources: HKEPD

Effects on Aquatic Effects on Aquatic EcosystemsEcosystems

Lowers body weight of the fish Kills individual fish, decreases biodiversity

Effects on Materials Effects on Materials and Buildingsand Buildings

corrosion of metalscorrosion of metals deterioration of paint and stonedeterioration of paint and stone significantly reduces value of buildings, significantly reduces value of buildings,

bridges and carsbridges and cars

Effects on Human HealthEffects on Human Health

Acid rain not directly harmful but… particles and gases that cause acid

rain, such as SO2, NOx, etc, can cause ….

asthma or other respiratory problem

Effects on VisibilityEffects on Visibility

Particles that are Particles that are formed from NOformed from NOxx, SO, SO2 2

contribute to visibility contribute to visibility impairmentimpairment

Accounts for 50 – 70% Accounts for 50 – 70% of visibility reduction in of visibility reduction in some areassome areas

What can be done?What can be done?

What can be done?What can be done?

Local government policy Pollution control proposed by scientists Pollution control proposed by scientists

and technologistsand technologists International supportInternational support Individual participation Cross-border co-operationCross-border co-operation

Local Government PolicyLocal Government Policy

Achieve environmental benefits through Achieve environmental benefits through reductions in SOreductions in SO22 and NO and NOxx emissions emissions

Facilitate active emission tradingFacilitate active emission trading Enforce more stringent legislationEnforce more stringent legislation

Promote pollution prevention and energy Promote pollution prevention and energy efficient strategies and technologiesefficient strategies and technologies

Keep cars well maintainedKeep cars well maintained Catalytic converters in vehiclesCatalytic converters in vehicles

Pollution Control proposed Pollution Control proposed by Scientists and Technologistsby Scientists and Technologists

Clean up smokestacks Clean up smokestacks and exhaust pipes and exhaust pipes

Wash Coal or use coal with low levels of sulphur

Use of scrubbers to remove gases before they leave the stacks.

Pollution Control proposed Pollution Control proposed by Scientists and Technologistsby Scientists and Technologists

International SupportInternational Support

Promote alternative energy sources Promote alternative energy sources NuclearNuclear HydropowerHydropower Wind energyWind energy Geothermal Geothermal SolarSolar

Individuals can contribute directly by conservingIndividuals can contribute directly by conservingenergy. For example, you can:energy. For example, you can: Turn off lights, computers, and other Turn off lights, computers, and other

appliances when you're not using them appliances when you're not using them Use energy efficient appliances: lighting, Use energy efficient appliances: lighting,

air conditioners and refrigerators etc. air conditioners and refrigerators etc. Use public transportation, bicycle or Use public transportation, bicycle or

walk or whenever possible.walk or whenever possible.

Individual ParticipationIndividual Participation

Cross-border co-operationCross-border co-operation E.g. HK-Guangdong Environmental Protection E.g. HK-Guangdong Environmental Protection

Liaison Group to tackle the acid rain pollution at Liaison Group to tackle the acid rain pollution at the Pearl River Delta Regionthe Pearl River Delta Region

Pearl River Delta Region

~ The End ~~ The End ~