Sources and Effects of Ozone

1. Sources and Effects of Ozone

2. Stratospheric Ozone • Formed by UV rays from the sun breaking 02 molecules apart creating free radicals • The free radicals combine with other O2 molecules to form O3

3. Effects of Ultra Violet Radiation • Include • Mutation • Effects on health (cancer) • Damage to photosynthetic organisms • Phytoplankton • Zooplankyton

4. Tropospheric Ozone(Ground Level Ozone) • Formed as a by-product of photochemical smog • Sometimes results from stratospheric ozone moving into troposphere (intrusion)

5. Tropospheric Ozone • Eye and respiratory irritation • Decreased agricultural yields • Slows plant growth • Deteriorates plastics and rubber • “Sharp” odor

6. Volatile Organic Compounds(VOC’s) • Evaporation of fuels and solvents • Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels • Naturally occurring compounds like monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes from trees

7. Volatile Organic Compounds • Respiratory and eye irritation • Some are carcinogenic • Decreased visibility due to blue-brown haze (Blue Ridge Mountains)

8. Nitrogen Oxides • Commonly called NOx as there are many possible combinations such as NO, and NO2, N2O2 etc.

9. Nitrogen Oxides • Combustion of fossil fuels eg. Oil, coal, gas in both automobiles and industry • Bacterial action in soil (Nitrogen Cycle) • Forest fires • Volcanic action • Lightening

10. Nitrogen Oxides • Decrease visibility due to yellowish color of NO2 • NO2 contributes to heart and lung problems • Decreased immune response • May increase risk of cancer

11. Peroxyacetyl Nitrates (PAN’s) • Formed by the reaction of NO2 with VOCs (can be formed naturally n some environments)

12. Peroxyacetyl Nitrates • Eyes, nose and throat irritation • High toxicity to plants • Respiratory irritation • Damage to proteins