Pollution, Aerosols and Climate Change
Download
Report
Transcript Pollution, Aerosols and Climate Change
POLLUTION, AEROSOLS
AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Laura Marschke
Southwest Early College
Pollution
What are we
learning
about today?
What is pollution?
Air pollutants
Where does air pollution come from?
Why do we care about pollution?
Health effects
Pollution and climate change
Steps to reduce air pollution
Colorado’s plans for reducing pollution
Do measures to reduce air pollution actually
work?
Pittsburgh, Beijing, and London case studies
Cleveland,
1973
NYC, 1970s
What is pollution?
Pittsburgh, 1940s
China, 2012
What is pollution?
The introduction of a
contaminant into the
environment
Emissions
Smoke
Acid rain
Fumes
Land pollution
Littering
Sewage
Nuclear and chemical
waste
Air pollution
Water pollution
Pesticides, fertilizers
Oil spills
Sewage
Soaps, antifreeze, oil
Household chemicals
Quick facts – air pollution
The average adult
consumes 3000 gallons of
polluted air every day
Vehicle exhaust contributes
to 60% of carbon
monoxide emissions in the
US (up to 95% in large
cities)
London's "Great Smog“ of
1952 was one of the
worst air pollution
incidents in history
Deaths of more than 4,000
died in just six days
Harvard School of Public
Health has recently (2010)
come up with the data
that approximately 4% of
all deaths in the US can
be attributed to air
pollution
Air pollutants
Particulate matter
Ground-level ozone
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Sulfur oxides
Volatiles organic
compounds (VOCs)
Particulate matter
Where does air pollution come from?
Wood burning
Fireplaces
Wood stoves
Land-clearing fires
Burning toxic substances
Garbage
Plastics
Fossil fuel burning
Household products
Air conditioners, refrigerators,
fire extinguishers
Cars, trucks, etc
Boats
Trains
Gas-powered tools
Paints
Printer ink
Hairspray, air fresheners
Stirring up dust
Building, driving, any way we
change the landscape
Why do we care about pollution?
Health effects
Climate effects
Health effects of small particulates
Contain cancer-causing materials
Penetrate lungs and collect in air sacs
Coughing/wheezing
Asthma (onset or increases frequency and/or duration of events)
Heart disease
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Pneumonia
Premature births/low birth weight
More emergency room visits
More hospitalizations
More time off of work and school
Example - pneumoconiosis
Develops after small
particulates, stay and
accumulate inside lungs
A deadly occupational
disease which develops
over a long period of
time
Said to be incurable
even with contemporary
medicine
Health effects of ground-level ozone
Irritate eyes, nose, and throat
Inflammation of lungs and airways
Coughing
Asthma
Bronchitis
Chest pain
Difficulty breathing
Susceptibility to lung disease
Damage to lung tissue
Premature aging of lungs
Contribute to chronic lung disease
Health effects of carbon monoxide
This is a poison!!!
Small amounts of CO will cause tiredness and chest
pains
Larger amounts impair vision and coordination,
triggers headaches, dizziness, confusion, and
nausea
High concentrations – FATAL!
Health effects of other air pollutants
Cancer
Low immunity
Disorders of the
nervous system
Interference
with child
development
And more!
Pollution and climate change
Fine particulates
Decrease precipitation
downwind
Reduce photosynthetic
activity and growth of
plants
Can change reflectivity of
clouds
Pollution can limit plant
productivity and survival
Sulfates and nitrates cause
cooling
Regional ozone
concentrations will
increase
Higher concentrations of
ozone increase
transpiration and
exacerbates tree drought
stress
Increases vulnerability to
attacks and wildfire
Steps to reduce air pollution
Walk or bike more
Carpool or use public
transportation
Maintain your vehicle
Combine errands to
reduce driving
Drive smart
Accelerate slowly
Drive slower
Avoid letting your car
idle
Don’t smoke
Avoid using products in
aerosol spray cans
Use a push or electric
lawn mower instead of
gas-powered
Avoid chemicals or
cleaners that emit fumes
Maintain gas appliances
and heaters
What is Colorado doing?
Must follow Clean Air Act (federal law)
19 regulations (this is a sample)
Particles, smokes, carbon monoxide and
sulfur oxides
Odor control
Air pollution emission
Wood burning controls
VOC controls
Hazardous air pollutants controls
Transportation conformity
Motor/diesel vehicle inspection programs
CFC regulations
Street sanding and sweeping
Acid rain controls
Lead based paint controls
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/
Does it work?
Pittsburgh, 1940s
The
"A county-wide
end result, which
ordinance
is immediately
visible
was passed
even
in
such
Allegheny
a short distance.
Here
we
canat
see
half-washed
A "before
andaafter"
shot of St.
The
County
air
is
in
much
1949,
cleaner,
after
the
something
building.
Louis from the newspaper of the
that
deadly
mostDonora
of us take
Fogfor granted
time. Probably inspired many to
today.
blanketed
But we
a five-state
shouldn't forget how
do the same thing in Pittsburgh.
many
area people
for five had
daystoinfight to get to
that
1948.
point,
" and how we now have to
fight for other things.
Does it work?
Beijing, 2008
Before/after in Beijing
The Chinese government imposed
new restrictions for air quality
before the 2008 Olympic Games
Measures taken
Polluting factories closed or
improved
Wastewater treated
Increased forested areas within city
New public transportation using
updated emission guidelines
Old taxis, etc have been replaced
Staggered work days to reduce
traffic volumes
Does it work?
Beijing, 2008
The study (about Beijing air
quality) was just recently
published in the Journal of
the American Medical
Association and describes
how air pollution can
“affect cardiovascular
disease mechanisms in
healthy, young people.”
What a difference ... these photos were taken just 24
hours apart, on Sunday and yesterday / Pics: Michael
Dodge Source: The Daily Telegraph (August 5, 2008)
Beijing air quality throughout the Olympics
Does it work?
Beijing, 2008
New research shows that levels of carbon monoxide dropped
sharply in the Beijing area between 2007 and 2008, due to traffic
restrictions imposed because of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Knowing the levels of carbon monoxide allowed the researchers to
infer that carbon dioxide emissions also dropped dramatically.
Does it work?
London, 2012
It is feared that the city’s nitrogen oxide and
ozone concentrations will negatively affect
the 2012 Olympic athletes and the vast
number of spectators and tourists in
attendance
In addition, legal action (to the British
government) for failing to comply with the
EU’s January 1, 2010 deadline for fulfilling
established air quality plans
http://www.londonair.org.uk
Current maps of London air quality
Aerosols
What are we
learning
about today?
What are aerosols?
Where do aerosols come from?
Why do we care about aerosols?
Health effects of aerosols
Climate effects of aerosols
Steps to reduce aerosol emissions
Summary
Compare and contrast pollution and aerosols
What are aerosols?
Minute particles
suspended in the
atmosphere
They scatter and
absorb sunlight
Can be emitted
directly (primary) or
created through
chemistry (secondary)
Act as a site for a
chemical reaction to
take place
Important:
destruction
of stratospheric ozone
What are aerosols?
Types
Dust
Sea
salt
Sulfates
Black carbon
Organic matter
Nitrates
Volcanic ash
sea salt
Pollen
dust
Sea salt
volcanic ash
Soot
Dust
Mainly from deserts
Solid particles
Mostly natural
Humans contribute from land conversion
Albedo is approximately 0.5
Does dust cause cooling or warming?
Both
Cooling or warming?
Over forest or water?
Cooling
Sand
is lighter
(higher albedo)
than forests or water
Over ice or snow?
Warming
Sand
is darker
(lower albedo)
than snow or ice
Sea Salt
Mainly from the oceans
Solid particles unless hydrated with water
Mostly natural
Causes cooling
Sulfates (nitrates are similar)
Secondary
emission
Mostly from
humans
Produced from
SO2 or DMS
Fossil fuel
combustion
Albedo of 0.99
Does this cause
warming or
cooling?
Cooling
Black carbon
Mostly from biomass
burning and fossil
fuel combustion
Appears black to
the naked eye
What would it’s
albedo be?
Close to 0
Does this cause
warming or cooling?
Warming over
snow/ice especially!
Organic Matter
Variety of
compounds
Natural or from
humans
Terpenes from
trees, vegetation
Fossil fuel and
biomass burning
Can be primary
or secondary
emissions
Where do aerosols come from?
Dust
Sea salt
Deserts
Agriculture
Oceans
Sulfates
Chemical reaction of sulfur
dioxide
Volcanoes
Fossil fuel burning
Marine plankton
Saharan dust storm off West African coast
Where do aerosols come from?
Black carbon
Organic matter
Transportation
Fossil fuel burning
Cook stoves
Biomass burning
Biomass burning
Fossil fuel burning
Nitrates
Chemical reaction of ammonia
and sulfates
Agricultural emissions
Biomass burning
Fossil fuel burning
Where do aerosols come from?
Pale yellow
Clear
sky
Maximum visibility
Dark red-brown
Very
January
2005
hazy conditions
Video of aerosol
optical depth over
time (1/05 - 6/12)
Where do aerosols come from?
High concentrations due
to land clearing and
agricultural fires (dry
seasons)
Central America
March – May
Central and south Africa
July – Sept
High concentrations due
to dust storms
June – Sept
January – April
May – August
High concentrations due
to human-produced air
pollution
Southeast Asia
Arabian Peninsula
South America
Northern India and
Himalayas region
Many months
Eastern China
Most of the year
Why do we care about aerosols?
Health effects
Climate effects
Health effects of aerosols
Enhanced mortality,
cardiovascular,
respiratory and allergic
diseases
Asthma, bronchitis,
cancer, etc
Increased lung toxicity
Super-fine particles can
travel to respiratory
tracts, enter the blood
stream and enter the
brain
Suppression of defense
mechanisms
Video: African Dust,
Coral Reefs and Human
Health
Aerosols and climate change
Changes in formation
of clouds and
precipitation
Quantity
of droplets
Size of droplets
Changes in reflectivity
Can inhibit or enhance
cloud formation
Aerosols and climate change
Cause warming
or cooling
Black carbon
Warm
Sulfates
Cool
Steps to reduce aerosol emissions
Clean Air Act and
other legislation
Conversion to newer
technology
Cook
Scrubbers and filters
Advanced combustion
techniques
stoves, etc
Sustainable agriculture
Alternative energy
sources
Limiting fossil fuel
consumption
Summary: compare and contrast
Pollution
Contaminant to environment
Aerosols
Particulate matter
Ground-level ozone
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Sulfur oxides
VOCs
Emitted directly into the
atmosphere
Moderate to severe health
effects
Generally cause cooling
Suspended particulate matter
Dust
Sea salt
Sulfates
Black carbon
Organic matter
Nitrates
Emitted directly or secondary
after chemical reaction
Moderate to severe health
effects
Cause warming or cooling
Sources
http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/individual-pollution.html
http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/pollution-climate-causes.html
http://www.bcairquality.ca/health/air-quality-and-health.html
http://www.koken-ltd.co.jp/english/hep.htm
http://www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/pollution
http://pollutionarticles.blogspot.com/2010/05/air-pollution-interesting-facts.html
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/regoverview.html
http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/environmental-policy/think-air-quality-regulations-dont-matter-look-pittsburgh-1940s/
http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/olympics-is-the-air-in-beijing-safe.html
http://www.examiner.com/article/2012-olympics-might-bring-the-worst-air-quality-europe
http://www.londonair.org.uk/LondonAir/Default.aspx
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/athletes-warned-poison-fog-a-killer/story-e6freuy9-1111117108157
http://www.fs.fed.us/ccrc/topics/air-pollution.shtml
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/24si.pdf
http://www.wsl.ch/dienstleistungen/publikationen/pdf/8915.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/airtrends/2011/report/climatechange.pdf
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/factsheets/Aerosols.html
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Aerosols
http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/pdf/TAR-05.PDF
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Aerosols/
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/GlobalMaps/view.php?d1=MODAL2_M_AER_OD
http://gallery.usgs.gov/videos/223#.UA7cfqAWqLI
http://atmo.tamu.edu/class/atmo689-gs/lectureweek10/aerosolreview.pdf
http://icp.giss.nasa.gov/research/ppa/2001/2001_cross_etal.pdf
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/pd/climate/factsheets/howhuman.pdf
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/aerosols-and-global-warming-faq.html
https://www2.ucar.edu/atmosnews/news/7535/reducing-traffic-2008-olympics-yielded-large-cut-co2
Also, special thanks to Jason English at UCAR for some images and information used in this power point
Image Sources
http://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/environmental-policy/think-air-quality-regulations-dont-matter-look-pittsburgh-1940s/
http://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/what-us-would-look-without-environmental-protections-photos.html
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2012/02/06/Pollution-takes-heavy-toll-on-China/UPI-54311328532657/
http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/galleries/g/13928432/mystery-smog-shrouds-chinese-city/13928433/
http://www.koken-ltd.co.jp/english/particulaterespirators/hep1.jpg
http://www.lbamspray.com/00_Images/particle_pollution.jpg
http://www.sbcapcd.org/images/sbcapcdParticleSize600.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1p20WdeXKKs/TQDMQ8C1-rI/AAAAAAAAKUM/Ob4xKgpLSFM/s1600/Ozone.jpg
http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/construction/buildingservices/EMS/PublishingImages/OZONE4.jpg
http://web.creativetime.org/system/programs/images/182/original/1990_-_Carbon_Monoxide.jpg
http://www.cleanair.hamilton.ca/images/image001.jpg
http://www-k12.atmos.washington.edu/k12/pilot/danger_in_air/pollutants.html
http://www.wunderground.com/health/pollutiondeaths.jpg
http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2008/08/04/1111117/108179-china-olympics-pollution.jpg
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Aerosols/
http://eoimages.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/globalmaps/data/mov/MODAL2_M_AER_OD.mov
http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu/classes/met130/notes/chapter16/aerosols.html
http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/african_dust/dust-images.html
http://www.earthbeatradio.org/images/oceanW.jpg
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/home/accomp/aero_force.gif
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/images/diesel_smoke_big_sm.jpg
http://www.climate.org/publications/Climate%20Alerts/Autumn2009/images/Figure4_000.jpg
http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2012/02/20120216-bangladesh-cooking.jpg.492x0_q85_crop-smart.jpg
http://www.occupymonsanto360.org/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/sustain-farm-ghg-emissions.jpg
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Aerosols/page3.php
http://atmos.caf.dlr.de/projects/scops/sciamachy_book/sciamachy_book_figures/chapter_10/fig_10_16.jpg
Sea salt image – Tiyani Fan, graduate student at the University of Colorado
Black carbon image – Pengfei Yu, graduate student at the University of Colorado