SOME OF THE WORLD’S WORST
POLLUTION PROBLEMS
What is pollution?• Pollution occurs
when substances are put into the environment that destroy living organisms
Factories produce smoke that pollutes the air
People throw litter around that pollutes
the soil
Loud noises affect living things in a
negative way
Ships carrying oil may spill oil into the ocean
GREENHOUSEEFFECT ACID RAIN
OZONE DEPLETION
3 BIG
pollution problems
OZONE DEPLETION120 KM
THERMOSPHERE
80 KM
MESOSPHERE
50 KM
STRATOSPHERE
15 KM
TROPOSHERE
Ozone Layer
The Ozone Layer is found in the Stratosphere
The Ozone Layer protects the Earth from invisible ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS from the Sun
During the last century, people used a chemical called
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS
(CFCs)to produce various products …
•AIR CONDITIONERS
•FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
•RERIGERATORS
•AEROSOL CANS
•POLYSTYRENE FOAM
BUT …
CFCs destroy the gas OZONE …
This has lead to the depletion or destruction of parts of the Ozone Layer in the atmosphere!!!!
120 KM
THERMOSPHERE
80 KM
MESOSPHERE
50 KM
STRATOSPHERE
15 KM
TROPOSHERE
Ozone Layer
Destruction of the Ozone Layer means that ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT can get to the surface of the Earth …
This means that living things can die from the ultra violet rays ..
There is a higher incidence of skin cancers in the Southern Hemisphere due to these facts!
The hole in the ozone layer is largest over the arctic circle or south pole
GREENHOUSE EFFECTPlants PHOTOSYNTHESIZE using light energy from the Sun …
Plants use CARBON DIOXIDE and produce OXYGEN during photosynthesis.
This is Nature’s way of cleaning the atmosphere.
GREENHOUSE EFFECTIndustries throughout the world produce vast amounts of poisonous gases ..
These gases heat the atmosphere
Most of the forsets of the world are around the equator or equatorial regions
These forests are being destroyed to make way for new industies, farming and towns
This means that there are fewer plants to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen …
So the Earth is becoming hotter …..and hotter …
and hotter …
The poisonous gases in the atmosphere trap the heat in the
atmosphere
Just as heat is trapped inside a greenhouse!
What does this mean for our planet?• The temperature of our Earth is rising! Some scientists
say that the Earth’s temperature may rise by 1ºC - 3ºC by the middle of this century!
• Icebergs and glaciers at the poles are melting faster than ever!
• It is predicted that the sea will rise up to 60m above its present level. This means that shore lines will change and land will be lost to the ocean!
• More extreme changes to weather patterns will occur such as more flooding, more heat waves, more droughts and more tornadoes and hurricanes!
Help! I’m drowning!
ACID RAINIndustry has produced many harmful or toxic gases.
These include …SULPHUR OXIDES NITROGEN OXIDES HYDROCARBONS
TOXIC CHEMICALS PRODUCED The chemicals
mix with the water in clouds
The chemicals return to Earth
during precipitation
What are the effects of Acid Rain?
• More people suffer from respiratory diseases• The soil and water becomes polluted• Buildings wear away due to the acid
Where does Acid Rain fall in South Africa?
In industrial regions – especially in Gauteng!
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT
AIR POLLUTION?
COMPLETE THE PROJECT
Galaxy of Home Office Help: Clip Art
Print Master Silver Edition 16
sources
Pick ‘n Pay Talk About No. 1
The Star Newspaper
Printshop Ensemble III
designed by
Mr BairdFebruary, 2008