Ecology:  Theory & Practice Course Lecture Notes Site Map   Week 9: Air Quality   Air Pollution & the Environment Sources Paths Effects Air Pollution Emissions are greater in urban areas High traffic volume is associated with production of nitrogen oxides Heating fuels generate high levels of sulfur dioxides Primary pollutants/Secondary pollutants Particulates/PANS/Ozone/VOCs Pollutants & Effects Carbon Dioxide - Global Warming Sulfur Dioxides - Acid Deposition Nitrogen Oxides - Acid Deposition Hydrocarbons (HCNs) - Photochemicals VOCs (volatile) - Health effects PANs - Health effects Particulates - Respiratory Damage Toxics (CO, metals) - Health Damage; Death
Sources of Air Pollutants (U.S.)
Effects on Organisms Causes or enhances respiratory disease Interrupts life cycles of aquatic animals, especially larval forms Leaches out aluminum and other toxics from soils; may enter drinking water Soil acidification Reduces plant growth; blocks photosynthesis Damage to roots, leaves, and bark of trees Enhances plant susceptibility to disease and parasites   Sources of Air Pollutants Interaction of Air Pollutants
Illustration of atmospheric interaction of air pollutants (formation of photochemicals)
Clean Air Act Initially passed by Congress in 1970 Reauthorized and Amended in 1977 &  1990 (most recent) Currently attempting to address mobile emissions, acid gases, particulates, and toxics Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Emission Controls State Implementation Plans (SIPS) Pollution Allowances for sulfur dioxide (traded at the Chicago Board of Trade) Global Atmospheric Problems Acid Deposition (release of acid gases into the hydrologic cycle) Global Warming (buildup of greenhouse gases, primarily linked with fossil fuels and methane) Stratospheric Ozone Depletion (release of CFCs - chlorofluorocarbons and nitrogen oxides which rise to the stratosphere)

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copyright Gaytha A. Langlois, Ph.D., 1999 Bryant College, Smithfield, RI 02917 E-mail: langlois@bryant.edu Last Updated: August 2000