Greenhouse Gases
Smog
City Smog. N.d. frontpagemag.com. Web. 29 Mar. 2012. <http://frontpagemag.com/
2010/01/13/politicizing-smog-by-rich-trzupek/>.
The Ozone Layer
There are two main sources of water pollution that the Environmental Protection Agency identifies, point and non- point. Point sources include sewage treatment plants, factories and ships. These are locations that are stationary. Non- point sources include agricultural runoff, mining activities and paved roads. Water pollution kills life that inhabits water- based ecosystems. Pollutants also disrupt the natural food chain. Pollutants can be consumed by smaller animals such as plankton that will later be consumed by fish and shellfish. Eventually humans will be affected by this disruption of the system. People can get diseases such as hepatitis by eating seafood that has been affected by water pollution.
Acid Rain
Air Pollution. N.d. Weather Savy. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2012.
<http://weathersavvy.com/Q-Climate_Greenhouse_Gases.html>
Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat inside the atmosphere, causing global warming. Some of these gases include:
- Carbon Dioxide- formed from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal. An example of the burning of fossil fuels in our everyday lives would be when we drive our cars.
- Methane- enters the atmosphere from the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil.
- Nitrous Oxide- Occurs from industrial activities, and from the burning of fossil fuels and solid waste.
- Fluorinated Gas- Emitted from various industrial activities and are used in aerosols.
"Greenhouse Gas Emissions." www. epa.gov. N.p., 27 Feb. 2012. Web. 8 Mar. 2012.
<http://epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/index.html>.
Smog
2010/01/13/politicizing-smog-by-rich-trzupek/>.
Smog has been linked to heavy motor vehicle traffic in combination with high temperatures, sunshine, and calm winds. It can also be caused by pollutants emitted from buses, trucks, boats, power plants, factories, and many consumer products such as hair spray, charcoal starter fluid, solvents, and plastic popcorn packaging. Smog can have damaging effects. These dangers include health problems such as difficulty in breathing, asthma, reduced resistance to lung infections and colds, and eye irritation. Its damaging effects can be shown in the environment as well, such as the inhibition of plant growth, and the damage of crops and forests.
"What is Smog?" DEQ Louisiana. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/portal/PROGRAMS/OzoneActionProgram/
OzoneFactsandExperiments/WhatisSmog.aspx>.
The Ozone Layer
Total ozone values shown for high southern latitudes. N.d. NOAA. N.p., n.d. Web.
12 Mar. 2012. <http://www.oar.noaa.gov/climate/t_ozonelayer.html>.
Ozone is a gas in the stratosphere. It is created when oxygen molecules are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. This energy breaks apart the oxygen molecules, to form one oxygen atom. This atom then interacts with other oxygen molecules to form ozone. This ozone absorbs most harmful ultraviolet radiation before it reaches the Earth's surface, thus protecting us from its damaging effects. Examples of these effects include skin cancer, cataracts, and harm to crops and certain marine life.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were the main substance that initiated the depletion of the ozone layer. CFC's were used in aerosols and as coolants in refrigerators. These were found to react with ozone, causing the reduction of ozone molecules over antarctica, or the ozone hole. Although CFC's were later banned, the substances that replace CFC's are powerful greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
Water Pollution
"Ozone Science: The Facts Behind the Phaseout." www. epa. gov. N.p., 19 Aug.
2010. Web. 5 Mar. 2012. <http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/
sc_fact.html>.
Water Pollution. N.d. phongpo.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.phongpo.com/2011/11/04/
water-pollution-oil-spills-image-collection/>.
"Water Pollution." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. N.p., 21 Jan. 2011.
Web. 8 Mar. 2012. <http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/
watewaterpollution.html>.
Fracking- Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the injection of millions of gallons of water, chemicals, and sand into shale rock formations at high pressures to break open the rock to release natural gas. This causes toxic chemicals and natural gas to contaminate water, making disposal difficult. Continually, some of this natural gas can move into water sources, causing an increased risk of the explosion of wells and houses. There have been more than 1,000 cases of water contamination near drilling sites around the country (1). It has also been confirmed that recent fracking in Ohio has caused 11 small earthquakes since last spring. Some experts say this is due to brine water that has secreted into subterranean faults, causing the separation of earth's plates (2).
(3)
(3)
1) "Fracking." Food and Water Watch. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/fracking/>.
2) "Confirmed: Fracking caused Ohio earthquakes." rt.com. N.p., 3 Jan. 2012. Web.
13 Mar. 2012. <http://rt.com/usa/news/
fracking-ohio-quake-earth-165/>.
3) Don't Frack My Water. N.d. Wake Up World. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
<http://wakeup-world.com/tag/fracking/>.
Acid Rain Formation. N.d. E.P.A. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what/index.html>.
Acid rain occurs mainly from the burning of fossil fuels, like coal. This creates gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides that react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals from acidic compounds in the atmosphere. This results in a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, or, acid rain.
Acid rain can cause acidification of lakes and streams, as well as damage trees at high elevations and many forest soils. Acid rain can also damage building materials and paints, resulting in the decay of buildings, statues, and monuments. It has also been found that acid rain, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide can be damaging to pubic health.
"What is Acid Rain?" E.P.A. N.p., 8 June 2007. Web. 2 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.epa.gov/acidrain/what/index.html>
