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Air pollution. How to measure the degree of Air Pollution in HK?. Air Pollution Index (API). How the API works The API converts the levels of air pollutants measured at each air quality monitoring station into an index from 0 to 500 2 types: General (11)/Roadside stations(3) - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Air pollution
How to measure the degree of Air
Pollution in HK?
Air Pollution Index (API)
How the API works
The API converts the levels of air pollutants measured at each air quality monitoring station into an index from 0 to 500
2 types: General (11)/Roadside stations(3)
The APIs of each station are released every hour
General VS Roadside stations
Central/Western
Eastern
Kwai Chung
Kwun Tong
Sha Tin
Sham Shui Po
Tai Po
Tap Mun
Tsuen Wan
Tung Chung
Yuen Long
Causeway Bay
Central
Mong Kok
Sources of air pollution
1. Generating electricity
high usage of electronic devices, such as air-conditioners, televisions
Commercial offices and industrial buildings require to use large amount of electricity
By burning coal, carbon dioxide is released.
2. Transportation
Comprehensive transport network with different modes of transport
Large population uses transport every day
Large amount of fossil fuel is needed, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, etc.
Release of carbon dioxide
3. Industrial processes
Using machines in factories require use of electricity for manufacturing or some burning processes.
Release of carbon dioxide.
4. Agriculture activities
Use of chemical or natural fertilizers for farming
Nitrogen oxide and methane will be released.
5. Waste disposal
Including solid waste such as construction waste, kitchen waste, organic waste, etc.
Most of them are dumped at landfills
Accumulation of waste at landfills will release methane.
Large amount of garbage each year.
6. Regional pollution (PRD)
Winter offshore wind in Hong Kong.
The wind brings the pollutants to Hong Kong.
Record of high API in Hong Kong winter.
How to tackle Air pollution problem
in HK?
Institutional effort...
The main strategies:
Control emissions from motor vehicles, power plants and industrial and commercial processes locally.
Working with Guangdong Provincial Authorities to implement a joint plan to tackle the regional smog problem.
A1. Reducing Emissions from vehicles (diesel
vehicles)main causes of high concentrations of RSPs and NOx at street level
adopt tighter fuel and vehicle emission standards:
adopt cleaner alternatives to diesel where practicable;
control emissions from remaining diesels with devices that trap pollutants;
strengthen vehicle emission inspections and enforcement against smoky vehicles; and
promote better vehicle maintenance and eco-driving habits.
to incentivise early replacement of old diesel commercial vehicles that up to the standard of Euro IV
to encourage the use of environment-friendly petrol private cars and commercial vehicles through tac concession;
to introduction a concessionary duty of $0.56 for Euro V diesel.
Additional measures (2007-
2008)
EffectivenessCompared with 1999, the roadside concentrations of the major air pollutant had been reduced by 22% and 23% (2008)
Taxis operating on liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG) were introduced as
cleaner alternative to replace diesel
taxis
A2. Cleaning the Air at street level
Cleaner alternatives to diesel
Controlling emissions from diesel
retrofit their vehicles and buses with catalytic converters
B. Reducing Emissions from Industrial Sources and Power
Plants
Limiting the sulphur content of industrial fuel --> reduced sulphur dioxide pollution to very low level
C. Action Blue Sky campaign (7/2006)
Organized by the Environmental Protection Department
Campaign slogan:
“Clean Air for a Cool Hong Kong”
D. Ban idling vehicle enginesIlegal for any driver to leave their engine running of they get out of their vehicle
Fines: HK$700
Other NGOs’ force...
Clear The Air Hong Kong
Energy - Aim to reduce harmful pollutants from the power station emissions.
Idling Engines - decided to lead a ban on idling engines across Hong Kong to be tabled to Legco.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) - Free IAQ assessments for the schools to be extended; the first campaign started April 2008.
Town Planning - Urge Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) to auto-regulate urban traffic density.
Definition of air pollution
Pollutants emitted to the atmosphereBy human activityE.g. CO, CO2, SO2, …
Impact of air pollution
1. Global warming
2. Acid deposition
3. Ozone depletion
4. Smog
5. Heat island effect
A. Global warming
Gradual increase in the average global temperatureSince mid-20s centuryIncreased by 0.74C in the past
decade
Impact on atmosphere
1. Global temperature
Warmed up by 0.74C in the past 100 years
2. Regional distribution of precipitation
A. Rising temperature -> melting of ice caps -> increase the amount of water for water circulation -> more rainfall in some moist tropics and high latitudes
B. Rising temperature -> greater evaporation rate -> few rainfall in some dry regions at mid-latitudes and semi-arid tropics
3. Extreme weather
E.g. Tropical cyclonesHeat wavesCold spellFloodDrought
4. Climate belts
Tropical areas expand to the temperate regionTemperate areas shift polewardShrink of polar region
Impacts on biosphere
1. Corals
Warmer ocean waterAlgae dead on coralsCorals are bleachedDeath of corals
2. Biodiversity
Some may extinctSome may be moreFood chain is disturbedStability is lowered
3. Desertification
Higher evaporation rateSoil moisture deficit increaseUnfavourable to vegetation
growthDesertification is intensified
4. Hill fire
Reduce the total are of vegetation
5. Shift of vegetation pattern
With increasing temperature and soil degradationWith decreasing rainfallTropical rainforest changes to
savannaSize of desert expandForests expand to polarward and into
higher altitudesSphere of tundra shrink
Impacts on hydrosphere
1. Glacier retreat2. Melting of sea ice3. Disruption of ice shelf, ice
sheet4. Melting of permafrost(CH4)5. Ocean acidification
Impacts on lithosphere
1. Rising sea level
Higher temperature -> melting of ice and snowHigher temperature ->
expansion of sea water-> rising sea level-> inundate low-lying coastal
regions and islands
2. Salinization
Due to intrusion of sea waterAnd salinization of groundwater
supply
3. Wave erosion
B. Acid deposition
Formed by sulphuric acid and nitric acid
Environmental impact
1. Leaves will be destroyed -> hinder photosynthesis2. Toxic metals harm roots.
1. increase acidity of lake water2. Bio-magnification3. Food chains are destroyed
Social economic impacts
1. Respiratory diseases, such as asthma, cough, headache2. Food poisoning3. Contamination of water
resources4. Unemployment, such as
farmers, fishers
3. Ozone depletion
Definition
Reductions in the amount of ozone in the stratosphere
Reduction of approximately 5% detected from 1979 to 1990
Discovered by James Lovelock (At English Scientist)
Causes1. The presence of chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFCs)
2. Chlorine-containing source gases
3. Dissociate under UV lights
4. Releasing chlorine atoms
5. Catalyze ozone destruction
ConsequencesNegative
- Increased UV near the surface
- Human health (cancer, sunburn)
- Agricultural activities (bacteria)
- Global warming
Positive
- Production of Vitamin D
PoliciesMontreal Protocol (1987)
UN:World Ozone Day (1994)
Local Government effort (USA: The United States Environmental Protection Agency)
The Climate Action Network (CAN): linking up all NGOs dealing with OP over th e world (eg. Institute of Environment and Development of China)
4. Smog
Smoke + fog
Impacts of smog
1. Lower visibility2. Adversely affect tourism3. Health
5. Heat island effect
Difference between urban air temperature and rural
Urban area is hotter
Impacts of heat island
1. Energy
-consume more electricity
2. Health
-heat related diseases: dengue fever
3. Water resource
4. Urban climate
-high temperature
-decrease wind speeds