What do you think this means?

Causes and Effects of Pollution

Learning Targets8. Identify the causes and effects of

pollution on Earth’s cycles.

9. Explain how pollution affects the environmental quality.

Are these statements true?

1. Greenhouse gases absorb visible light.

~ FALSE

Greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation.

2. The ozone layer is found in the troposphere.

~ FALSE

The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere.

3. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and water vapor.

~ TRUE

What is air pollution?

Smoke and other harmful materials that are added to the air.

Causes of Pollution

• Gas Pollutants:– Carbon monoxide– Methane– Ozone– Sulfur oxides– Nitrogen oxide

Some of these gases are considered pollutants only when they are likely to cause harm.

Causes of Pollution

• Particle Pollutants– Particulates (tiny particles or droplets that are

mixed in with air)– Smoke– Dust, dirt, pollen, salt from the ocean (picked up

by wind)

Causes of pollution

• Burning Fossil Fuels– Fuels formed from the remains of prehistoric

animals and plants• Oil, gasoline and coal

Causes of Pollution

• Smog– Combination of smoke and fog– Sunlight causes the fumes from gasoline, car

exhaust and other gases to react chemically.

Effects of Pollution• Health Problems

– Irritation of: eyes, nose, throat, lungs– Lung disease– Asthma

• Damage to– Plants– Buildings– Outdoor objects

Attempts to Control Pollution

• Clean Air Act– Limits the amount of air pollution that

factories and power plants are allowed to release.

– Sets rules for making car exhaust cleaner.

• The Environmental Protection Agency– Measures air pollution and works to enforce

the laws passed by Congress.

Greenhouse Gases are GOOD

Help keep temperatures

within a range that is

suitable for the plants

and animals to live on

Earth.

BUT….

HUMAN ACTIVITIES ARE

INCREASING GREENHOUSE

GASES!

Greenhouse Gases• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)• Methane (CH4)• Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Carbon DioxideComes from the use of fossil fuels in power plants, cars, factories and homes

MethaneComes from cattle and other livestock, bacteria in rice fields, and landfills (waste disposal)

Nitrous Oxide

Comes from fertilizers and chemical factories.

More Greenhouse Gases

Increases Temperature

Affects plant growth and processes that produce or reduce greenhouse gases.

Global Warming

What is Global Warming?

An increase in the Earth’s average temperature.

Did you know?Carbon Dioxide can stay in the atmosphere for

more than 100 years.The air contains 30% more carbon dioxide

than it did in the mid-1700’s.The level of carbon dioxide is now increasing

about 0.4% each year.

Effects of Global Warming

• Negatively affect sources of food

• Amount of water available• Amount of resources

available• Human heath