Part 6-Lesson 1

1. Part 6-Lesson 1 The result of the Industrial Revolution on the atmosphere and hydrosphere

2. Introduction • The worlds population started to explode in the 1850’s. Ever since we have been trying to make the world a more hospitable place. A result, natural habitats have become less hospitable. Our comforts have come at a great cost to the environment.

3. Introduction • The regions most affected are the hydrosphere and atmosphere. Since the Industrial Revolution (IR) we have built huge cities all over the world whose large power demands must be met. The main way we have achieved this is through the burning of fossil fuels.

4. greenhouse gases • The burning of fossil fuels release energy and gases into the atmosphere which affect the chemical and physical properties of other atmospheric gases. We call these greenhouse gases. • Carbon Dioxide • Water Vapour • Methane • Fluorocarbons • Nitrous oxide

5. greenhouse gases • Greenhouse gases are transparent to particular types of radiation allowing some types to pass through them while absorbing others and preventing them from passing through

6. greenhouse gases • This property of selective absorption of radiation is responsible for creating what is known as the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is enhanced by increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

7. greenhouse gases • All 5 of the above compounds are referred to as greenhouse gases because of their ability to selectively absorb infrared radiation from the Earth and allow radiation from the sun to pass through. The table below shows the relative proportions of the main types of greenhouse gases (excluding water vapour)

8. greenhouse gases • The table below shows the warming potential for each of the gases listed. Notice CFC’s can have over 7000 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide.

9. greenhouse gases • According to the table it may appear as though Carbon Dioxide plays an insignificant role in the greenhouse effect. However, due to the large quantities present compared to the other gases, it plays a major contributing factor in producing the greenhouse effect.

10. The production of greenhouse gases • Water vapour originates from one of the two following processes: • Evaporation of water from natural water storages • A by-product of industrial processes The combustion of coal is a process responsible for emitting water vapour into the atmosphere. Coal is responsible for producing 77% of the electricity in Australia.

11. The production of greenhouse gases • Over 80% of the Carbon Dioxide emissions is due to the burning of fossil fuels. Most of the remaining 20% is made up from the burning of forests that have been cleared. • The concentration of carbon dioxide is currently rising. Evidence from ice core samples suggests that before the Industrial Revolution in the 50’s and for 10,000 years prior, carbon dioxide levels were 270ppm (parts per million). Currently the level is 350ppm and rising.

12. The production of greenhouse gases • The chart below shows by region, the carbon dioxide emitted per capita.

13. The production of greenhouse gases • Most of our fuels contain carbon as they were formed by the decay of living material. The products produced from the burning of these fuels are primarily carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water vapour. • Not only does the burning of coal add water vapour to the air, it also adds high amounts of carbon. The carbon released by burning coal reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide.

14. The production of greenhouse gases • The combustion of octane in petrol in an automobile also adds significantly to the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

15. The production of greenhouse gases • Methane makes up about 95% of natural gas composition. Before the IR methane levels were about 750ppm. Today they are close to 1650ppm. The rate is increasing about 1% each year. Sources of methane emissions include the following processes: • Naturally produced in swamps as a result of the breakdown of organic material • Fermentation of grass in the stomach of animals (50%) • Anaerobic decay in rice paddies (35%) • Emissions from mining and drilling programs (15%)

16. The production of greenhouse gases • In Australia, cows and sheep are responsible for about 90% of methane emissions. This is about 3 million tonnes every year! • Other processes that produce methane include the decomposition of livestock manure and the decomposition of landfill material. • This methane produced in landfills has proved to be a usable resource. In Melbourne methane produced from decaying rubbish is being used to generate electricity.

17. The production of greenhouse gases • Natural formation of nitrous oxide occurs through the action of certain bacteria on nitrogenous material in soils. Prior to the IR atmospheric levels of nitrous oxide were 285ppb. Today levels are about 305ppb.

18. The production of greenhouse gases • Human activity has increased the release of nitrogen into the atmosphere through increased use of nitrogenous fertiliser. Nitrous oxide is also produced in automobile engines.

19. The production of greenhouse gases • Fluorocarbons are gases containing chlorine compounds made by humans. Prior to 1850 the atmosphere contained no fluorocarbons. The levels in 1990 were .00025. Increasing at a rate of 4% each year.

20. The production of greenhouse gases • Fluorocarbons were largely used as refrigerant in air conditioners and refrigerators, as propellants in aerosol spray cans and as solvents. Currently across the world these gases are being phased out.

21. Homework Read pages 145-146HSC Spotlight Text Update electronic vocabulary

22. Part 6-Lesson 2 The result of the Industrial Revolution on the atmosphere and hydrosphere

23. The production and effects of acid rain • Acid rain is produced primarily by the release of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. These oxides are emitted from electrical generating plants, industrial boilers and large smelters where fossil fuels are burnt in large amounts.

24. The production and effects of acid rain • The countryside around Queenstown in Tasmania has been described as a moonscape because of the lack of vegetation. This vegetation was killed off by the action of acid rain which resulted from mining operations in the area.

25. The production and effects of acid rain • For environmental reasons mining in this area has been stopped and vegetation is slowly returning to the area.

26. The production and effects of acid rain • Acid rain can have very serious effects on the environment. Soils become acidic, leaves of plants are burnt, waterways become acidic and injure or kill aquatic life, humans can be affected and building made of limestone or marble become corroded.

27. Activity • Complete DOT Point 6.1 and 6.4 together

28. Homework Complete DOT Points 6.3 and 6.7

29. Part 6-Lesson 3 The result of the Industrial Revolution on the atmosphere and hydrosphere

30. Global Warming • Global warming refers to an increase in the Earth’s temperature due to such things as burning fossil fuels, industrial processes and agricultural processes which build up greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This phenomenon is a highly debated issue.

31. Global warming • There has been much emphasis in recent times on the cause of global warming. Three viewpoints stand out: • Global warming is enhanced by human activity • Global warming is a natural fluctuating process • Global warming is a false phenomena created by poor measurement and analysis of statistics • What do you think?

32. Global warming • Greenhouse gases normally surround the Earth keeping it 33 degrees warmer than if they were not present. This natural greenhouse effect is what enables life to survive on Earth.

33. Global warming • It’s believed that natural processes such as weathering, volcanic activity, respiration, photosynthesis and decomposition produce just enough of these gases to enable our planet to support life.

34. Global warming • The increased burning of fossil fuels and wide spread deforestation have caused greenhouse gases to dramatically build up in the atmosphere.

35. Global warming • Since 1850 there has been a mean rise in global temperature of approximately 1 degree Celsius and a 28% rise in carbon dioxide levels.

36. Global Warming • Due to the greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide, many scientists link the rise in global temperature to the increase in carbon dioxide levels.

37. Global warming • If this is a real phenomenon, predictions of what the future might be like are daunting: • Higher global temperatures changing climates • Rainfall patterns would alter affecting agriculture • Patterns of drought and floods would be disrupted • Ice caps would melt • Sea levels would rise • Heat related health problems would increase • Hotter climates would encourage the spread of disease

38. Global warming • Some scientists believe that global warming is a natural process that happens between ice ages resulting from the following geological events: • Volcanic outgassing (if large amounts of volcanic activity were to occur it could change global temperatures dramatically • Plate convergence producing mountains which would increase the rate of weathering releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from the chemical breakdown of minerals

39. Global warming • Other scientists believe the greenhouse effect is statistically false. A skewed interpretation of data. • The debate remains as to what is causing global warming. What do you think?

40. Homework Read pages 148-150HSC Spotlight Text Update Electronic vocabulary Complete DOT Point 6.2 pg 73

41. Part 6-Lesson 4 The result of the Industrial Revolution on the atmosphere and hydrosphere

42. What is being done to stop global warming? • Increased global temperatures has prompted government agencies and industry both nationally and internationally to protect the environment; specifically the atmosphere and hydrosphere.

43. What is being done to stop global warming? • Most people believe it is possible to make a significant difference to our environment and that we can all be involved in its improvement. • So what’s being done?

44. What is being done to stop global warming? • To say that nations should stop emissions altogether would be unrealistic. However emissions cannot continue at the present rate for reasons we’ve already discussed. • This makes it very difficult to determine by how much emissions can be reduced without having a negative economic growth for each individual nation

45. Activity • Read pages 150-151HSC Spotlight Text Together and complete activity 3.12 on page 151

46. Homework Read pages 150-151HSC Spotlight Text Update electronic vocabulary Complete ‘To Think About’ pg 152-154HSC Spotlight Text Complete DOT Point 6.8.2

47. Part 6-Lesson 5 The result of the Industrial Revolution on the atmosphere and hydrosphere

48. Ozone Depletion • The atmosphere is a protective layer around the Earth. We have discussed how easily greenhouse gasses can disrupt the balance within this layer. In this section we are going to look at another group of chemicals and how they have been eating away at a specific part of the atmosphere called the ozone layer.

49. Ozone Depletion • The ozone layer acts as a protective barrier against ultraviolet radiation. It blocks out approximately 95-99% of these harmful rays from the sun. We learned about this layer previously and how important it was to evolution.

50. Ozone Depletion • Ozone consists of 3 atoms of oxygen and collects in the stratosphere. It is constantly being made because of interactions with incoming ultraviolet radiation.