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Introduction
24/7 Accessible Lectures Q/A from instructors Live Sessions
Atmosphere
Principle constituents: Nitrogen 78%, oxygen 21% and the remaining 1% being atmospheric
gases
Layers of Atmosphere
1. Troposphere
• Lowest layer, temperature decreases upward at a rate of 6.5 degrees per 1000m.
• This is the layer where most clouds occur
• Commercial airplanes and parachutes occur in troposphere
2. Stratosphere
• Temperature increases slightly with altitude in the lower stratosphere
• Within the ozone layer, temperature increases rapidly and the temperature at the
upper boundary of stratosphere is same as the surface of earth
• Supersonic planes and weather balloons and ozone layer is present in stratosphere
Environmental Science
3- Mesosphere
• The layer from 50-80km
• Temperature decreases as altitude increases
• Coldest layer of atmosphere
• Temperature reduces up to -90 degrees
4- Thermosphere
• Starts at an altitude of 80 km
• Temperatures begin to rise
• Polar lights, spacecrafts and satellites are present
5- Exosphere
• Region beyond the thermosphere is exosphere
• It is the outer limit of atmosphere
Atmospheric Pressure
• Air is held to the earth by gravity
• This strong force pulls the air downwards, giving air molecules weight (4.5 x 10^18
kg)
• This weight exerts a pressure on the surface of the earth known as atmospheric
pressure
Environmental Science
Atmospheric Pollution
• Occurs when air contains gases, fumes or harmful substances in
high amounts
Pollutants
Secondary (primary
Primary (pollutants pumped pollutants undergo chemical
directly into air i.e.CO, Smoke, reactions i.e. Sulphur dioxide
dust) + oxygen + water = sulphuric
acid)
Environmental Science
Air pollutants
1. Oxides of Nitrogen
i. Cause respiratory infections
ii. NO2 reacts in the atmosphere to form acid rain, harming
plants and animals
2. Oxides of Sulphur
i. Damage lungs causing breathing difficulties
ii. Eyes and Nose irritation
3. Particulate Matter
i. Solid or liquid matter suspended in air
ii. Cause health issues, asthma, premature deaths
Environmental Science
Air pollutants
4. Power Plants
5. Volcanic Eruption
i. Release of Sulphur dioxide
6. Exhaust from factories
7. Agricultural activities (ammonia as a by product of
agricultural activities)
8. Forest Fires (release of methane, carbon dioxide)
Environmental Science
Effects of Air Pollution
• Respiratory issues
• Cancer
• Acid Rain ( due to oxides of nitrogen and Sulphur that react with
air molecules and fall as acid rain)
Nitrous
methane
oxide
Greenho
use
Gases
Sulphur
hexa HFC
flouride
Environmental Science
• An international agreement linked to United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change
• 84 countries signed the protocol
• The EU agreed to cut its emissions by 8%, Japan by 7%, Us by 7%
and Canada by 6%
• However, developed countries were reluctant supporters of the
treaty as all these countries have cheap energy supplies
Importance of Ozone
• Surface of the earth is protected from harmful radiations of the
sun
Ozone Depletion
• The day by day decrease in the concentration of ozone due to
harmful activities is ozone depletion
Processes
1. Evaporation
2. Evapotranspiration: transfer of water from living beings into
the atmosphere
3. Condensation: water vapor in the air accumulates to form
liquid droplets in the clouds
4. Precipitation
5. Surface Runoff
6. Infiltration
7. Groundwater flow
8. Absorption/ drinking
Water Pollution
Sources and Effects of water pollution
1. Infectious agents: bacteria, viruses, human and animal waste. Effects
include variety of diseases
2. Oxygen Demanding Waste: organic waste such as animal manure
and plant debris decrease the dissolved oxygen content of water and
make it unfit for life..
Sources: sewage, animal waste
3. Inorganic Chemicals: acids, compounds of toxic metals, salts etc.
Effects: skin cancer, damages nervous system, liver and kidney
damage, lower crop yields, death of aquatic life
Water Pollution
Sources and Effects of water pollution
Treating waste
1. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
2. Landfill
3. Incineration
4. Composting