APCC - Air Pollution and Climate Change Module Overview

Air Pollution and Climate Change

Global warming predictions graph Earth's atmosphere is a vibrant and dynamic part of our planet. The exchange between biotic and abiotic features and the atmosphere is constantly taking place. Aerobic respiration and photosynthesis as well as evapotranspiration, nitrogen fixation, combustion, and many, many other processes are always occurring.

Unfortunately, some natural and anthropogenic events that take place in the atmosphere impact its quality and result in air pollution. Further, air pollution impacts human health, damages cultural and natural structures, and is accelerating global climate change. The atmosphere is so much more than "air," so its complex role on Earth should be understood, and its quality carefully monitored and protected.

Essential Questions

What gases are used and expelled by photosynthesis and respiration?
Where can the largest concentration of ozone be found and what value does it have?
What are the characteristics of Earth's atmosphere?
How does the atmosphere moderate Earth's temperature?
What are the two major atmospheric gases (in the troposphere) and what roles do they play?
Why does more solar radiation of all wavelengths come into the exosphere than reaches Earth's surface?
How does photochemical smog differ from other types of air pollution?
How are primary and secondary pollutants different?
What is the effect of an increase in particulates on the environment?
What are the effects of ground-level ozone?
Where do most of the acid rainfall and what damage can it do?
What is the difference between weather and climate?
Why is the average global temperature the most important value when talking about climate change?
What are the signs of climate change that are currently measurable?

Key Terms

Humidity- measurement of atmospheric water vapor
Ozone layer- a thick layer of ozone gas present in the stratosphere
Ground layer ozone- ozone produced in the troposphere secondary to photochemical reactions
Particulates- larger suspended particles present in the atmosphere
Greenhouse effect- the phenomena where heat is trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gasses after the Sun's radiation is absorbed and reradiated as infrared radiation
Greenhouse gases - gasses capable of absorbing infrared radiation in the atmosphere
Polar amplification- an effect that as global temperature rises, there are greater increases at the poles
Acid rain (precipitation)- precipitation with a lower than normal pH (normal rain is slightly acidic) due to air pollutants (SOx and NOx) combining with atmospheric water
Air quality standards- measurable levels of air pollution that mark acceptable levels over a certain time period
Atmospheric inversion - atmospheric phenomena where warmer air is above cooler air that restricts air circulation
Coal gasification- a process that converts high sulfur coal to gas to remove sulfur
Criteria pollutants- six pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment as determined by the EPA through the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Global dimming- the reduction of incoming solar radiation due to reflection by suspending atmospheric particles (like clouds)
Photochemical smog- series of reactions forming secondary pollutants due to automobile exhaust in the presence of sunlight
Primary pollutants- pollutants directly released into the environment
Scrubbing- a process that removes sulfur from gasses released from coal-burning power plants
Secondary pollutants- pollutants produced from the reaction between primary pollutants and other environmental conditions

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