The earth’s natural greenhouse effect -about 80 to 90%
Madugundu Krishna
April 09, 2011 Sources of air pollution
Various natural phenomena as well as human activities are responsible for the air pollution. Natural phenomena like dust storms and forest fires build –up SPM in the air and release a lot of chemicals too. Volcanic activity also releases large amounts of ash and poisonous fumes into the atmosphere.
Human activities have contributed majorly towards increasing of air pollution. A lot of industries and vehicles have come up due to rapid urbanization.
Various pollutants like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides for nitrogen and sulphur, hydrocarbon, and other pollutants are released in the air from these industries and vehicles. Spraying of pesticides and insecticides during agriculture practices also releases a lot of chemicals.
Impacts of air pollution
Smog:
when smoke from factories and vehicles combine with fog, smog s formed. Smog is quite hazy that can reduce visibility.
Temperature inversion
Usually temperature decreases with an increase in altitude. But at times temperature inversion occurs and the air close to the earth is cooler than the air above it. In such a condition, the pollutants do not rise up but accumulate close to the earth’s surface. Temperature inversions cause trapping of pollutants in the atmosphere and allow them to build up, leading to the condition of smog.
Increase in the greenhouse effect
About 80 to 90 % of the earth’s natural greenhouse effect is due to water vapor, a strong greenhouse gas. The remainder is due to carbon dioxide, methane, and a few other minor gases. Carbon dioxide concentration is increasing due to burning of fossil fuels, rapid deforestation and industrialization. The concentration of methane has also increased in recent decades. The increased concentration of these gases causes an increased trapping of the sun’s heat in the earth’s atmosphere. This is responsible for the global warming, and has led to an increase in temperatures across the globe, forcing many animal and plant species, which cannot adapt to the change in temperature, towards extinction.
Acid precipitation
When pollutants such as oxides of sulphur or nitrogen combine with droplets of water in the air, the water becomes acid and when this acidified water falls as rain, it gives rise to acid rain. Aid rain or snow corrodes buildings, damages soil and mixes with surface water, harming aquatic life and all those who consume that water.
Depletion of the ozone layer Chlorofluorocarbons react with the ozone layer and destroy it. This layer allows increased penetration of the ultraviolet radiation on the earth, which increase the risk of skin cancer and harms all life forms.
Tags: Earth , Natural , Greenhouse , Effect
