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Human Impact on Air and Water Resources

Human Impact on Air and Water Resources. Smog and Ozone. Smog: a photochemical haze caused by solar radiation combining with chemicals in the air Ozone: a gas molecule made of three oxygen atoms Very important in the upper atmosphere because it blocks harmful UV radiation

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Human Impact on Air and Water Resources

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  1. Human Impact on Air and Water Resources

  2. Smog and Ozone • Smog: a photochemical haze caused by solar radiation combining with chemicals in the air • Ozone: a gas molecule made of three oxygen atoms • Very important in the upper atmosphere because it blocks harmful UV radiation • It is an irritant at ground level and major part of air pollution

  3. Global Impacts of Air Pollution 1. Global Warming • The increase in Earth’s average surface temperature • Partly caused by humans and the burning of fossil fuel • Scientists predict 3.5 degree rise in next 100 years • This could cause changes in wind and rainfall patterns • Could affect agricultural areas, sea level rise, animals and plant extinction if they can’t adjust to the changes

  4. Global Impacts of Air Pollution 2. Ozone Depletion • CFC’s in the atmosphere caused a thinning and an hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica 3. Acid Precipitation • Forms when chemicals in the air combine with rainfall • It can cause damage to aquatic ecosystems and vegetation

  5. Reducing Air Pollution • 1990 Clean Air Act created higher standards for amounts of pollutants released into the air • Coal-burning plants install scrubbers to reduce emissions • Cleaner cars with higher emission testing

  6. Water Pollution • Point Sources • A single point of origin for water pollution such as a factory, sewage, or toxic waste area • Nonpoint Sources • Pollution that comes from widely spread areas such as rainwater which dissolves pesticides, poisons, etc

  7. Water Pollution • Pollution of Groundwater • Leaking chemical-storage barrels, sewage from septic tanks can contaminate water flowing underground and be hard to access and clean • Pollution in the Oceans • Sewage is a major source of pollution • Plastic is also an increasingly common pollution found in oceans

  8. Reducing Water Pollution • The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 • Designed to assure that everyone in the U.S. has access to clean drinking water • The Clean Water Act 1972 • Eliminate discharge of pollutants into rivers, streams, etc and to restore water quality to levels that allow for recreational uses • While there have been improvements, in 1998, 35% of US lakes and rivers were still in violation

  9. Water Conservation • Efficient irrigation can greatly reduce the demand for water • Landscaping with plants that require less water • Fixing leaky faucets and toilets

  10. Assignment • P.729 #1-4 • P733 #1-4

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