ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION

Atmospheric pollution, or air pollution, is the introduction of harmful

particulates, biological molecules or chemical molecules into the Earth's
atmosphere.

Air pollution occurs when certain gases and particles known as pollutants
build up in the atmosphere to such levels that they can cause harm to our
health and also the environment around us.

Due to excessive presence of some gases in the atmosphere, the escape of

heat from earth surface is prevented, resulting in heating of earth called
‘global warming’. The gases which are responsible for causing global
warming are called ‘greenhouse gases’.

The harmful effects of the presence of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere

are global warming, acid rain, climate change, ozone depletion, sea level
rise, adverse effects on biodiversity etc.

In this chapter, we will study more about Atmospheric pollution and its
harmful effects.

Key Definitions
▪ Pollutants – A pollutant is defined as undesirable matter present in excess
in the environment.

▪ Environmental pollution: It is defined as the effect of undesirable changes

occurring in our surroundings which have harmful effects on plants,
animals, and human beings.

▪ Air pollution: It is defined as the presence of a contaminant in the

atmosphere in a concentration large enough to injure human, plant and
animal life.

▪ Smog: A pollutant which is a combination of oxides of sulphur and

nitrogen, partially oxidized hydrocarbons and their derivatives produced
by industries and automobiles from a dark, thick dust and soot-laden as
smog.

▪ Photochemical smog: Smog which is formed by photochemical reaction in

the atmosphere is known as photochemical smog.
Types of Pollutants in the Atmosphere
Acid Rain

Equations involved in acid rain formation:

1. N2 + O2 →2NO
2. 2NO + O2 → 2NO2 (oxidation in atmosphere)
3. 2NO2 + H2O → HNO2 + HNO3 (oxides combine with rain water)
4. S + O2 → SO2
5. 2SO2 + O2 → SO3 (burning of fuels)
6. SO2 + ½ O2 soot dust or metal oxide → SO3 (catalytic oxidation)
7. SO3 + H2O → H2SO4 (sulphur oxides combine with rain water)

Global warming
Global Warming is the increase of Earth's average surface temperature
due to the effect of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions
from burning fossil fuels or from deforestation, which trap heat that would
otherwise escape from Earth. This is a type of greenhouse effect.

Effects of greenhouse gases

▪ Higher temperatures, global warming, damage to aquatic life.melting of
glaciers and ice caps, change in climate, reduction in crop yield, decrease in
rainfall etc.

Ways of reducing greenhouse effect and global warming:

▪ Healthier lifestyle- use of bicycles or walk whenever possible
▪ Use of car pool or public transport
▪ Use of sustainable forms of energy and alternative energy sources like
solar energy, hydro energy or ocean thermal energy
▪ Planting of more trees
▪ Do not burn leaves, wood, paper etc
▪ Educating and creating awareness among people about greenhouse effect
and global warming

Formation of Ozone
Ozone is formed by action of UV rays of the sun on oxygen
O2 + UV → O + O
O + O2 → O3
Net reaction: 3O2 (g) + UV → 2O3 (g)
Function of ozone

Ozone is a poisonous gas but serves a useful purpose in the upper reaches
of the atmosphere where it absorbs harmful UV radiation from the sun
O3 → O2 + O
UV radiation can cause skin pigmentation and even skin cancer. It can
cause abnormalities in a growing foetus in pregnant women resulting in
birth abnormalities.

Causes for ozone depletion

Chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are released from excessive use
of aerosols, propellants, refrigerants. These act with ozone and break it
down to oxygen and chlorine monoxide . NO2 released from burning of
fuels in planes react with ozone to form NO3 and oxygen

This has resulted in depletion of ozone layer and the formation of an ozone
hole in the region above Antarctica. UV radiations can enter the earth’s
atmosphere through the ozone hole and cause several harmful effects.