The Atmosphere

The AtmosphereThe Atmosphere

Air PollutionAir Pollution

Most air pollution is the result ofburning fossil fuels…….

• Coal

• Oil

• Gasoline

• Diesel fuel

• ½ of the air pollution comes from cars that burn gas and diesel.

• ¼ comes from factories and power plants that burn coal and oil.

This forms 2 main types of air pollution

and

SMOG• Today most cities experience

photochemical smog, caused by the action of sunlight on chemicals.

How smog is formed…..

• Nitrogen combines with Oxygen = nitrogen oxides.

• Nitrogen oxides combine with hydrocarbons (from burning fossils fuels).

• In the presence of sunlight they form a mix of chemicals called photochemical smog.

SMOG FORMATION

Harmful Effects of Photochemical Smog

• Lung irritation-

• Harmful to plants

• Damages paint, rubber, and some plastics.

• Learn more!!EFFECTS

ACID RAIN•Rain is naturally slightly acidic, but rain that contains more acid than normal is known as acid rain.

ACID RAIN

• The smoke and fumes from burning fossil fuels rise into the atmosphere and combine with the moisture in the air to form acid rain.

• The main chemicals in air pollution that create acid rain are sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. 

• This forms a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid.

• Rainwater, snow, fog, and other forms of precipitation containing those mild acids fall to the earth as acid rain.

ACID RAIN FORMATION

Harmful Effects of Acid rain

• Damaging to buildings and statues.

• Harmful to plants, especially pine trees.

• Harmful to lakes and ponds. Acid rain can make water so acidic that plants, amphibians, fish, and insects can no longer survive in it.

• Can even be harmful to human health.

Damage done by Acid Rain

In Conclusion……

• Burning fossil fuels can create both photochemical smog and acid rain.

• They are both harmful to people and the environment.

• Click HERE to learn more from a short video.