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!

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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?

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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