17.4

Human Impact on the Atmosphere

• Common Air Pollutant– Some are produced by nature thru volcanoes and

forest fires– Some are produced by man

The clean air act of 1970 identified 6 major pollutants

• Carbon monoxide• Nitrogen dioxide• Sulfur dioxide• Particulate matter-smoke, ash, soot• Lead• ozone

Acid Rain

• Rain is usually neutral on the pH scale• Water in the atmosphere will pick up

pollutants in the air and become acidic

Temperature inversion

• Under certain conditions a layer of warm air may rise up above a layer of cool air

• This could cause pollution to become trapped close to the ground

• Page 382- chart on national emissions of pollutants