5/6/13

RE: Student Questions- LG

RE: Student Questions- LG

Reed, Alexander [areed@washco-md.net]
Sent:Wednesday, May 01, 2013 2:05 PM To: Leard, Courtney

Hi Lynique! Thanks for the questions. Lets get right to it: 1. Let me see, I usually work with the water quality people and I rarely get into air pollution issues, but that doesnt mean it doesnt affect us. I would recommend calling or emailing a local Excavation Company or a quarry. They have to control the amount of dust that leaves their sites. Dust is an air pollutant and they usually control it by spraying the roads and sites with water. 2. Wow, thats a good question. Air pollution can mean greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4), dusts, or emissions particles (tiny pieces of ash and other chemical compounds). The biggest thing we can do to prevent air pollution is use more renewable energy (solar, wind, etc) and reduce the amount of fossil fuels we burn. Another thing we can do is plant more trees. Trees take in CO2 and store it in their wood. This takes the CO2 that is warming our planet out of the air and locks it up. Deforestation has lead to an incredible amount of air pollution, since the trees are burned and their carbon is released into the air. The Bay receives some of its nitrogen (which is a nutrient) from atmospheric deposition. That means that when we burn fossil fuels, Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is emitted and eventually falls to earth. When it does, it can be picked up by rain water and runoff to our streams and the Bay. The picture to the left shows how much atmospheric nitrogen (air pollution) enters the Bay. 3. There really is no way to know how many animals have been harmed by air pollution. Maybe you can work on that when you get out of school? Air pollution has a direct effect on the water cycle. When tiny pieces of dust or pollution particles are up in the sky, they are called condensation nuclei. That means that they attract water vapor. Have you ever seen a jet flying and it looks like it is making a cloud behind it? Well, that is exactly what it is doing. The exhaust from the plane is the condensation nuclei and that is an actual cloud behind it, even though its man made. All rain drops start with condensation nuclei. So, when we put more particles into the sky from burning fossil fuels, there is a better chance that is going to cause rain. This is how acid rain forms. When these emission particles are mixed with water, they actually make an acid that will eat away at paint and even marble statues. Another thing to consider is when these tiny particles are blown around the planet to places where snow, glaciers, and ice caps are and they fall onto the white snow, they actually make it so the surface can absorb more heat from the sun. You know how a dark roof will be hotter than a light one? Its the same thing. And this extra warming of our ice caps and glaciers is speeding up the rate that they are melting and destroying polar bear habitat. And we know that warm air can hold more moisture than cold air. So, warm air means more violent storms and crazy amounts of snow. So, yes, air pollution directly affects the water cycle. 4. I sort of covered that in the last answer. Natural cycles are almost never interrupted. They are modified. And it usually happens really slowly, except like a volcano or something.
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5/6/13

RE: Student Questions- LG

I hope this answers your questions. Have a great day and work hard for Ms. Leard! All the best, Alex Reed p.s. If you really want to be freaked out, go to Google Images and search China air pollution. It is literally killing people by the thousands. And it is a great example of why we need tough laws to protect our air! Alex Reed
Watershed Specialist Washington County Division of Environmental Management 16232 Elliot Pkwy Williamsport, MD 21795-4083 Office: (240) 313-2677 Cell: (240) 203-0431

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From: Leard, Courtney [mailto:LeardCou@wcps.k12.md.us] Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2013 1:19 PM To: Reed, Alexander Subject: Student Questions- LG

Dear.Mr.Reed My name is Lynique and for my exhibition I'm working on air pollution. I was seeing if you can answer a little bit of questions about air pollution.

Who is a stakeholder for that cares about air pollution that you have worked with or contacted?

How can we prevent air pollution?

https://owa.wcps.k12.md.us/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAADIoaETOXrDS6FyGqFfPe6SBwC12dVtlf4aSZtijveZ0T7YAAAAxoDtAAC12dVtlf4aSZtijveZ0 2/3

5/6/13

RE: Student Questions- LG

Do you know how many animals died so far from air pollution and how air pollution impacts the water cycle?

How can air pollution interrupt the Water Cycle?

THANK YOU for answering my questions. You are so helpful to us!

Courtney M. Leard
5th Grade Teacher Fountaindale School for the Arts and Academic Excellence 901 Northern Ave Hagerstown, MD 21740 Leardcou@wcps.k12.md.us

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