ACID RAIN NOTES
Acid rain is precipitation that has a pH of less than that of natural rainwater (which is about 5.6 due to dissolved carbon dioxide. It is formed when Sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, as gases or fine particles in the atmosphere, combine with water vapor and precipitate as sulphuric acid of nitric acid in rain, snow, or fog. Causes of acid rain- natural sources like emissions of volcanoes. The principal cause of acid rain is from human sources- industrial factories, power generating plants and vehicles. When water vapor condenses, they dissolve in the water to form sulphuric acid and nitric acid. Affected areas- Canada water and soil system lack natural alkalinity such as lime base. Industrial acid rain is a problem in china, Eastern Europe and Russia. Acid rain is harmful to aquatic life. Harmful to vegetation. Accelerates weathering in metal and stone structures. Affects human health. We can prevent acid rain by reducing amount if Sulphur dioxides of nitrogen released into the atmosphere. Use less energy, remove oxides of Sulphur and oxides of nitrogen before releasing and to use cleaner fuels.
THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT.. a natural process necessary for sustaining life on earth
Is produced by the sun’s energy and earth’s atmosphere
Energy in the form of solar radiation is emitted toward earth.
26% is reflected, 19% absorbed, 55% reaches earth’s surface. 4% of that is reflected to space and the remaining 51% is absorbed by earth’s surface and re-emitted as long wave infrared radiation.
Greenhouse gases trap this radiation, warm the atmosphere and emits the heat back to earth where a cycle begins.
Main Greenhouse Gases
CO2 has had a 33% increase in concentration in last 200 years.
Comes from burning fossil fuels for industry, transportation, heat, cooking, and electricity generation.
Also released from deforestation
Greenhouse potential of 1
Methane has risen 151% since 1750.
Released by large herds of cattle, tapping into fossil fuel deposits, dumping organic matter into landfills, and crops such as rice.
Humans are cause of half of methane released
Greenhouse potential of 23
Nitrous oxide has increased 17% since 1750.
By-product of feedlots, chemical manufacturing plants, auto emissions, soil fertilization, fossil-fuel combustion, and deforestation.
Humans contribute to about 33% of all nitrous oxide released into the atmosphere
Production has doubled due to Haber process for Nitrogen fixation.
Greenhouse potential of 296.
Ozone serves a dual purpose. In lower stratosphere it keeps earth cooler by absorbing radiation before it reaches earth. In troposphere it is building up due to humans and then trapping heat. It also causes health problems.
It has decreased in stratosphere because of CFCs but increased 36% in troposphere since 1750.
Halocarbon gases are man made. They include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which deplete the ozone layer. They also are the most efficient greenhouse gas, with a greenhouse potential of 12,000.
Emissions have almost stopped now due to the Montreal Protocol.
Montreal Protocol
Was called in 1987 because of health concerns and fears of global warming.
Signed by 180 nations, demanded CFC production dropped by 50%. Several amendments now have dropped it to 95%.
Future of the Climate
Scientists all agree earth’s climate is warming due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations. They do not know how it will continue, however.
Some believe it will all work itself out.
World Health Organization says immediate and long term health benefits will come from reducing gas emissions.
Reducing Greenhouse Gases
We can build more efficient machines. Automobiles are highly inefficient and transportation is second highest contributor to gas emissions in U.S.
Planting trees. An average tree intakes 13 pounds of carbon and carbon dioxide a year and maintains it for the life of the tree.
Vent?
Researchers discovered that with every 1 degree Celsius that ocean temps. Rose, the ration of cirrus to cumulus clouds dropped 22%.
Cirrus clouds do not block incoming radiation well but trap outgoing, warming earth. Therefore, a vent may be achieved if temps rise and equilibrium will be maintained.
So the greenhouse effect is necessary for maintaining life on earth.
Our climate is changing and we do not know how it will continue.
Greenhouse gas concentrations are rising and need to be slowed as much as possible.
Estimates point to a 1-3 degrees Celsius rise in earth’s average temperature over the next century.
Is produced by the sun’s energy and earth’s atmosphere
Energy in the form of solar radiation is emitted toward earth.
26% is reflected, 19% absorbed, 55% reaches earth’s surface. 4% of that is reflected to space and the remaining 51% is absorbed by earth’s surface and re-emitted as long wave infrared radiation.
Greenhouse gases trap this radiation, warm the atmosphere and emits the heat back to earth where a cycle begins.
Main Greenhouse Gases
CO2 has had a 33% increase in concentration in last 200 years.
Comes from burning fossil fuels for industry, transportation, heat, cooking, and electricity generation.
Also released from deforestation
Greenhouse potential of 1
Methane has risen 151% since 1750.
Released by large herds of cattle, tapping into fossil fuel deposits, dumping organic matter into landfills, and crops such as rice.
Humans are cause of half of methane released
Greenhouse potential of 23
Nitrous oxide has increased 17% since 1750.
By-product of feedlots, chemical manufacturing plants, auto emissions, soil fertilization, fossil-fuel combustion, and deforestation.
Humans contribute to about 33% of all nitrous oxide released into the atmosphere
Production has doubled due to Haber process for Nitrogen fixation.
Greenhouse potential of 296.
Ozone serves a dual purpose. In lower stratosphere it keeps earth cooler by absorbing radiation before it reaches earth. In troposphere it is building up due to humans and then trapping heat. It also causes health problems.
It has decreased in stratosphere because of CFCs but increased 36% in troposphere since 1750.
Halocarbon gases are man made. They include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which deplete the ozone layer. They also are the most efficient greenhouse gas, with a greenhouse potential of 12,000.
Emissions have almost stopped now due to the Montreal Protocol.
Montreal Protocol
Was called in 1987 because of health concerns and fears of global warming.
Signed by 180 nations, demanded CFC production dropped by 50%. Several amendments now have dropped it to 95%.
Future of the Climate
Scientists all agree earth’s climate is warming due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations. They do not know how it will continue, however.
Some believe it will all work itself out.
World Health Organization says immediate and long term health benefits will come from reducing gas emissions.
Reducing Greenhouse Gases
We can build more efficient machines. Automobiles are highly inefficient and transportation is second highest contributor to gas emissions in U.S.
Planting trees. An average tree intakes 13 pounds of carbon and carbon dioxide a year and maintains it for the life of the tree.
Vent?
Researchers discovered that with every 1 degree Celsius that ocean temps. Rose, the ration of cirrus to cumulus clouds dropped 22%.
Cirrus clouds do not block incoming radiation well but trap outgoing, warming earth. Therefore, a vent may be achieved if temps rise and equilibrium will be maintained.
So the greenhouse effect is necessary for maintaining life on earth.
Our climate is changing and we do not know how it will continue.
Greenhouse gas concentrations are rising and need to be slowed as much as possible.
Estimates point to a 1-3 degrees Celsius rise in earth’s average temperature over the next century.
year 2005 2015 2015
make Mini Van Land rover Ford
model Toyota Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Focus electric
Fuel type Regular Premium Electric
Greenhouse gas emissions 523 grams per mile 369 grams per mile 0 grams per mile
Combined mpg 18.4 MPG n/a 81.0 MPG
Fuel economics 5.9 gal/100mi 4.2 gal/100mi 32 kWh/100 mi
Energy impact score 19.4 barrels 13.7 barrels 0.2 barrels
EPA smog score 5 9 10
make Mini Van Land rover Ford
model Toyota Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Focus electric
Fuel type Regular Premium Electric
Greenhouse gas emissions 523 grams per mile 369 grams per mile 0 grams per mile
Combined mpg 18.4 MPG n/a 81.0 MPG
Fuel economics 5.9 gal/100mi 4.2 gal/100mi 32 kWh/100 mi
Energy impact score 19.4 barrels 13.7 barrels 0.2 barrels
EPA smog score 5 9 10