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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 ~