Air Pollution and Effects

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 gasses’.

Acid Rain

Equations involved in acid rain formation:

N2 + O2 →2NO

2NO + O2 → 2NO2 (oxidation in atmosphere)

2NO2 + H2O → HNO2 + HNO3 (oxides combine with rain water)

S + O2 → SO2

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