Air pollution
Atmospheric air is the most important life-supporting natural environment
and is a mixture of gases and aerosols of the surface layer of the atmosphere,
formed during the evolution of the Earth, human activity and located behind
outside residential, industrial and other premises. Environmental results
studies, both in Russia and abroad, clearly indicate
that the pollution of the surface atmosphere is the most powerful, constantly
effective factor affecting humans, the food chain and the environment.
Atmospheric air has unlimited capacity and plays the role of the most
mobile, chemically aggressive and pervasive interaction agent
near the surface of the components of the biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
IN last years data was obtained on the significant role for the conservation of the biosphere
ozone layer of the atmosphere, which absorbs harmful substances for living organisms
ultraviolet radiation from the Sun and forming at altitudes of about 40 km
a thermal barrier that prevents the cooling of the earth's surface.
The atmosphere has an intense impact not only on humans and biota, but
and on the hydrosphere, soil and vegetation cover, geological environment, buildings,
structures and other man-made objects. Therefore, air protection
and the ozone layer is the highest priority environmental problem and it
paid close attention in all developed countries.
Polluted ground atmosphere causes cancer of the lungs, throat and skin,
central nervous system disorder, allergic and respiratory
diseases, defects in newborns and many other diseases, a list of which
determined by the pollutants present in the air and their
joint effects on the human body. Results of special
studies carried out in Russia and abroad have shown that between
the health of the population and the quality of atmospheric air there is a close
positive connection.
The main agents of atmospheric influence on the hydrosphere are precipitation in
in the form of rain and snow, and to a lesser extent, smog and fog. Superficial and
groundwater on land is mainly atmospherically fed and due to
Therefore, their chemical composition depends mainly on the state of the atmosphere.
Bad influence polluted atmosphere on soil and vegetation cover
is associated both with the loss of acidic precipitation, which washes away calcium,
humus and microelements from soils, and with disruption of photosynthesis processes,
leading to slower growth and death of plants. High sensitivity
the influence of trees (especially birch and oak) on air pollution has been identified for a long time.
The combined action of both factors leads to a noticeable decrease in fertility
soils and forest loss. Acid precipitation is considered
now as a powerful factor not only in rock weathering and deterioration
quality of load-bearing soils, but also chemical destruction of man-made objects,
including cultural monuments and land lines. In many economic
developed countries are currently implementing programs to solve the problem
acidic precipitation. As part of the National Assessment Program
impact of acid precipitation, established in 1980 by many
US federal agencies began funding atmospheric research
processes that cause acid rain, in order to assess the impact of the latter on
ecosystems and development of appropriate environmental measures. It turned out that
Acid rain has multiple impacts on the environment and
are the result of self-cleaning (washing) of the atmosphere. Basic acidic
agents - dilute sulfuric and nitric acids formed during reactions
oxidation of sulfur and nitrogen oxides with the participation of hydrogen peroxide.
Sources of air pollution
TO natural sources pollution includes: volcanic eruptions,
dust storms, forest fires, cosmic dust, sea particles
salts, products of plant, animal and microbiological origin.
The level of such pollution is considered as background, which is little
changes over time.
The main natural process of pollution of the surface atmosphere is volcanic and
fluid activity of the Earth Large volcanic eruptions lead to global
and long-term air pollution, as evidenced by chronicles and
modern observational data (eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines
in 1991). This is due to the fact that in high layers of the atmosphere instantly
huge amounts of gases are emitted, which at high altitudes
are picked up by high-speed air currents and quickly
spread all over to the globe. Duration of contaminated state
atmosphere after major volcanic eruptions reaches several years.
Anthropogenic sources pollution is caused by economic
human activity. These include:
1. Combustion of fossil fuels, which is accompanied by the release of 5 billion tons.
carbon dioxide per year. As a result of this, over 100 years (1860 - 1960)
The rate of these emissions has increased significantly over the past three decades. With such
by 2000, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will be no less than
2. Operation of thermal power plants, when burning high-sulfur coals in
As a result of the release of sulfur dioxide and fuel oil, acid rain is formed.
3. Exhausts from modern turbojet aircraft with nitrogen oxides and
gaseous hydrofluorocarbons from aerosols, which can lead to
damage to the ozone layer of the atmosphere (ozonosphere).
4. Production activities.
5. Contamination with suspended particles (during grinding, packaging and loading, from
boiler houses, power plants, mine shafts, quarries when burning waste).
6. Emissions of various gases by enterprises.
7. Combustion of fuel in flare furnaces, resulting in the formation of the most
The major pollutant is carbon monoxide.
8. Combustion of fuel in boilers and vehicle engines,
accompanied by the formation of nitrogen oxides, which cause smog.
9. Ventilation emissions (mine shafts).
10. Ventilation emissions with excessive ozone concentrations from rooms with
high energy installations (accelerators, ultraviolet sources and nuclear
reactors) with a maximum permissible concentration in working areas of 0.1 mg/m 3 . In large
quantities, ozone is a highly toxic gas.
During fuel combustion processes, the most intense pollution of ground level
layer of the atmosphere occurs in megalopolises and large cities, industrial
centers due to the widespread use of motor vehicles, thermal power plants,
boiler houses and others power plants working on coal, fuel oil,
diesel fuel, natural gas and gasoline. Contribution of motor transport to the total
Atmospheric air pollution here reaches 40-50%. Powerful and
Nuclear power plant accidents are an extremely dangerous factor in air pollution
(Chernobyl accident) and atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. It's connected
both with the rapid spread of radionuclides over long distances, and with
long-term nature of contamination of the territory.
The high danger of chemical and biochemical production lies in
the potential for emergency emissions into the atmosphere is extremely
toxic substances, as well as microbes and viruses that can cause epidemics
among the population and animals.
Currently, there are many tens of thousands of
pollutants of anthropogenic origin. Due to ongoing
growth of industrial and agricultural production, new
chemical compounds, including highly toxic ones. The main anthropogenic
atmospheric air pollutants except large-scale sulfur oxides,
nitrogen, carbon, dust and soot are complex organic, organochlorine
and nitro compounds, man-made radionuclides, viruses and microbes. Most
Dioxin, widespread in the air basin of Russia, is dangerous,
benz(a)pyrene, phenols, formaldehyde, carbon disulfide. Suspended solids
are represented mainly by soot, calcite, quartz, hydromica,
kaolinite, feldspar, less often sulfates, chlorides. In the snow dust
oxides, sulfates and sulfites were detected using specially developed methods,
sulfides of heavy metals, as well as alloys and metals in native form.
In Western Europe, priority is given to 28 highly hazardous chemical elements,
compounds and their groups. The group of organic substances includes acrylic, nitrile,
benzene, formaldehyde, styrene, toluene, vinyl chloride, and inorganic - heavy
metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, V), gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide,
nitrogen and sulfur oxides, radon, ozone), asbestos. Mostly toxic
Lead and cadmium have an effect. Have an intense unpleasant odor
carbon disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, styrene, tetrachloroethane, toluene. Impact halo
sulfur and nitrogen oxides spread over long distances. The above 28
air pollutants are included in the international register of potentially toxic
chemical substances.
The main air pollutants in residential premises are dust and tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide
and carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, radon and heavy metals, insecticides,
deodorants, synthetic detergents, drug aerosols, germs and
bacteria. Japanese researchers have shown that bronchial asthma can be
associated with the presence of domestic ticks in the air.
The atmosphere is characterized by extremely high dynamism, due to both
rapid movement of air masses in the lateral and vertical
directions, and high speeds, variety of flowing in it
physicochemical reactions. The atmosphere is now considered to be huge
"chemical cauldron", which is under the influence of numerous and
variable anthropogenic and natural factors. Gases and aerosols emitted
into the atmosphere, are characterized by high reactivity. Dust and soot
occurring during fuel combustion, forest fires, sorb heavy metals and
radionuclides, when deposited on the surface, can contaminate vast areas
territory, penetrate the human body through the respiratory system.
A tendency for joint accumulation in suspended solids has been revealed
surface atmosphere of European Russia lead and tin; chromium, cobalt and
nickel; strontium, phosphorus, scandium, rare earths and calcium; beryllium, tin,
niobium, tungsten and molybdenum; lithium, beryllium and gallium; barium, zinc,
manganese and copper. High concentrations of heavy metals in snow dust
due to both the presence of their mineral phases formed during combustion
coal, fuel oil and other types of fuel, and sorption of soot, clay
particles of gaseous compounds such as tin halides.
The “lifetime” of gases and aerosols in the atmosphere varies very widely
range (from 1 – 3 minutes to several months) and depends mainly on their
chemical stability of size (for aerosols) and the presence of reaction-
capable components(ozone, hydrogen peroxide, etc.).
Assessment and, especially, forecast of the state of the surface atmosphere are very
difficult problem. Currently, her condition is being assessed mainly
according to the normative approach. MPC values for toxic chemicals and others
standard air quality indicators are given in many reference books and
manuals. In such a guide for Europe, in addition to the toxicity of pollutants
substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic, allergenic and other effects)
their prevalence and ability to accumulate in the body are taken into account
humans and the food chain. Disadvantages of the normative approach - unreliability
accepted values MPC and other indicators due to their poor development
empirical observational base, lack of consideration of joint effects
pollutants and sudden changes in the state of the surface layer of the atmosphere during
time and space. Stationary air monitoring posts
are small, and they do not allow us to adequately assess his condition in large
industrial and urban centers. As indicators of chemical
composition of the ground atmosphere, you can use needles, lichens, and mosses. On
initial stage identifying sources of radioactive contamination associated with
Chernobyl accident, pine needles were studied, which have the ability
accumulate radionuclides in the air. Redness is widely known
needles of coniferous trees during periods of smog in cities.
The most sensitive and reliable indicator of the state of the surface atmosphere is
snow cover that deposits pollutants for a relatively
a long period time and allows you to establish the location of sources
dust and gas emissions according to a set of indicators. In snowfalls recorded
pollutants that are not captured by direct measurements or calculated
data on dust and gas emissions.
On promising directions for assessing the state of the surface atmosphere of large
industrial and urban areas include multi-channel
remote sensing. The advantage of this method is
ability to quickly, repeatedly and in “one key” characterize large
area. To date, methods have been developed for assessing the content in
aerosol atmosphere. Development scientific and technological progress allows
hope to develop such methods in relation to other pollutants
The forecast of the state of the surface atmosphere is carried out using complex data. TO
These primarily include the results of monitoring observations,
patterns of migration and transformation of pollutants in the atmosphere,
Features of anthropogenic and natural processes of air pollution
basin of the study area, the influence of meteorological parameters, relief and other
factors on the distribution of pollutants in the environment. To do this in
in relation to a specific region, heuristic models of change are developed
surface atmosphere in time and space. Greatest successes in the decision
This complex problem has been achieved for the areas where nuclear power plants are located. Finite
the result of using such models is a quantitative assessment of the risk of pollution
air and assessing its acceptability from a socio-economic point of view.
Chemical pollution of the atmosphere
Atmospheric pollution should be understood as a change in its composition due to
influx of impurities of natural or anthropogenic origin.
Pollutants come in three types: gases, dusts and aerosols. To the latest
includes dispersed solid particles emitted into the atmosphere and
located in it long time in suspension.
The main atmospheric pollutants include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, as well as trace gas components that can
influence the temperature regime of the troposphere: nitrogen dioxide,
halocarbons (freons), methane and tropospheric ozone.
Enterprises make the main contribution to high levels of air pollution
ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, chemistry and petrochemistry, construction industry, energy,
pulp and paper industry, and in some cities, boiler houses.
Sources of pollution are thermal power plants, which together with smoke
emit sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide into the air, metallurgical
enterprises, especially non-ferrous metallurgy, that emit into the air
nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, fluorine, ammonia, phosphorus compounds, particles and
compounds of mercury and arsenic; chemical and cement plants. Harmful gases
enter the air as a result of burning fuel for industrial needs,
heating of homes, transport operation, combustion and processing of household and
industrial waste.
Atmospheric pollutants are divided into primary ones, those coming directly
into the atmosphere, and secondary ones, resulting from the transformation of the latter. So,
sulfur dioxide entering the atmosphere is oxidized to sulfuric anhydride,
which interacts with water vapor and forms droplets of sulfuric acid. At
the interaction of sulfuric anhydride with ammonia forms sulfate crystals
ammonium Similarly, as a result of chemical, photochemical, physical
chemical reactions between pollutants and atmospheric components,
other secondary characteristics are formed. The main source of pyrogenic
pollution on the planet are thermal power plants, metallurgical and
chemical enterprises, boiler plants consuming more than 170% annually
extracted solid and liquid fuel.
22. Global atmospheric problems. Give examples
Pollution is the process of introducing into the air or the formation in it of physical agents, chemicals or organisms that adversely affect the living environment or cause damage to material values. IN in a certain sense The removal of individual gas ingredients (in particular, oxygen) from the air by large technological facilities can also be considered pollution. And the point is not only that gases, dust, sulfur, lead and other substances entering the atmosphere are dangerous for the human body - they adversely affect the circulation of many components on earth. Pollutants and toxic substances are transported over long distances, fall with precipitation into the soil, surface and underground waters, and oceans, poison the environment, and negatively affect the production of plant mass.
Atmospheric pollution also affects the planet's climate. There are three points of view on this matter. 1. The global warming observed in the current century is due to an increase in CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, and by the middle of the next century there will be catastrophic climate warming, accompanied by a strong increase in the height of the World Ocean. 2. Atmospheric pollution reduces the level of solar radiation, increases the number of condensation nuclei in clouds, as a result the Earth's surface cools, which in turn can cause new glaciation in northern and southern latitudes (there are few supporters of this point of view). 3. According to supporters of the third point of view, both of these processes will be balanced and the Earth's climate will not change significantly.
The main sources of air pollution are enterprises of the fuel and energy complex, manufacturing industry and transport. More than 80% of all emissions into the atmosphere are emissions of carbon oxides, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen, hydrocarbons, and solids. Of the gaseous pollutants, the largest quantities emitted are carbon oxides, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, which are formed mainly during fuel combustion. Sulfur oxides are also emitted into the atmosphere in large quantities: sulfur dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, etc. The most numerous class of air pollutants major cities, are hydrocarbons. Constant ingredients of gas pollution of the atmosphere also include free chlorine, its compounds, etc.
In addition to gaseous pollutants, tens of millions of tons of particulate matter enter the atmosphere. This is dust, soot, soot, which in the form of small particles freely penetrate the respiratory tract and settle in the bronchi and lungs. However, that’s not all - “along the way” they are enriched with sulfates, lead, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, zinc and other elements and substances, many of which are carcinogenic. From this point of view, asbestos dust is especially dangerous to human health. Cadmium, arsenic, mercury and vanadium also belong to the first hazard class. (The results are interesting comparative analysis, performed by American scientists. The lead content in the skeletal bones of a Peruvian native who lived 1,600 years ago is 1,000 times less than in the bones of modern US citizens.)
A specific phenomenon such as acid rain is also associated with air pollution.
The earth's atmosphere transmits short-wave solar radiation relatively well, which is almost completely absorbed by the earth's surface. Heating due to the absorption of solar radiation, the earth's surface becomes a source of terrestrial, mainly long-wave, radiation, part of which goes into outer space.
Scientists continue to debate the composition of so-called greenhouse gases (58). The greatest interest in this regard is the effect of increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) on Greenhouse effect atmosphere. It is suggested that the well-known scheme: “increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide enhances the greenhouse effect, which leads to warming of the global climate” is extremely simplified and very far from reality, since the most important “greenhouse gas” is not carbon dioxide (and not nitrous oxide). , not methane or chlorofluorocarbons), but water vapor. At the same time, reservations that the concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere is determined only by the parameters of the climate system itself no longer stand up to criticism today, since the anthropogenic impact on the global water cycle has been convincingly proven.
As scientific hypotheses, we point out the following consequences of the upcoming greenhouse effect. Firstly, according to the most common estimates, by the end of the 21st century. the atmospheric CO2 content will double, which will inevitably lead to an increase in the average global surface temperature by 3-5 °C. At the same time, warming is expected to be stronger in high latitudes and, accordingly, summers will become drier in the temperate latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
Secondly, it is assumed that such an increase in the average global surface temperature will lead to an increase in the level of the World Ocean by 20-165 cm due to the thermal expansion of water. (As for the Antarctic ice sheet, its destruction is not inevitable, since melting requires more high temperatures. In any case, the process of melting Antarctic ice will take a very long time.)
Thirdly, the concentration of atmospheric CO2 can have a very beneficial effect on agricultural yields. The results of the experiments allow us to assume that under conditions of a progressive increase in the content of CO2 in the air, natural and cultivated vegetation will reach an optimal state: the leaf surface of plants will increase, the specific gravity of dry matter of leaves will increase, the average size of fruits and the number of seeds will increase, the ripening of grains will accelerate, and their yield will accelerate. will rise.
Fourth, at high latitudes, natural forests, especially boreal forests, can be very sensitive to temperature changes. Warming could lead to a sharp reduction in the area of boreal forests, as well as to a movement of their borders to the north. Tropical and subtropical forests are likely to be more sensitive to changes in precipitation rather than temperature. However, forecasts of upcoming changes in precipitation are very uncertain.
Overall, the atmospheric greenhouse effect is an equation with many unknowns. Most scientists believe that warming will actually manifest itself. Moreover, many argue that global warming (by about 1° in the 20th century) has already occurred (at least its first phase), but it was, as it were, masked by natural climate changes. However, there are scientists who believe that, paradoxically, the accelerating accumulation of CO2 can lead not to warming, but to cooling. This opinion is based on the fact that the forecast of “overheating” of the Earth with a doubling of CO2 concentration in the air was made based on an erroneous assessment of the greenhouse effect of this gas. It is believed that supporters of “overheating” do not take into account the colossal role of ocean waters in the absorption of anthropogenic CO2 and underestimate the importance of terrestrial biota, and, consequently, soils as powerful assimilators of “excess” atmospheric carbon dioxide.
EXAMPLES: Environmental: atmospheric pollution, radioactive landfills, melting icebergs, greenhouse effect, destruction of rare animals and plants.
Political: overpopulation, food resources, terrorism, ..
Social: alcoholism, drug addiction, social orphanhood, homelessness, poverty...
Economic: crisis of overproduction, instability of exchange rates, settlement of world prices for oil and gold, import/export labor resources, unemployment...
Under atmospheric pollution understand the presence in the air of sufficiently large quantities of gases, vapors, particles, solid and liquid substances, heat, vibrations, radiation that can harm the health of people, animals, and adversely affect plants, climate, materials, buildings and structures. Like water and soil pollution, it is the amount (or concentration) of chemicals in the air that makes the difference between “clean” air and “polluted” air.
Depending on the scale of distribution, they distinguish Various types air pollution: local, regional and global. Local pollution is characterized by an increased content of pollutants in small areas (city, industrial area, agricultural zone, etc.). With regional pollution, significant areas are involved in the negative impact, but not the entire planet. Global pollution is associated with changes in the state of the atmosphere as a whole. Air, which is in constant motion, carries harmful substances over hundreds and thousands of kilometers, enters the soil, water bodies, and then enters the atmosphere again.
Depending on the nature of the pollutant, air pollution is of three types:
- - physical: mechanical (dust, solid particles), radioactive (radioactive radiation and isotopes), electromagnetic (various types of electromagnetic waves, including radio waves), noise (various loud sounds and low-frequency vibrations) and thermal pollution (for example, emissions of warm air and so on.);
- - chemical: pollution with gaseous substances and condensation aerosols. Today, the main chemical pollutants of atmospheric air are: carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Tp, Sat, Sat), ammonia, atmospheric dust and radioactive isotopes;
- - biological: mainly microbial contamination (vegetative forms and spores of bacteria and fungi, viruses, as well as their toxins and waste products).
By state of aggregation emissions harmful substances into the atmosphere are classified into: gaseous (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc.); liquid (acids, alkalis, salt solutions, etc.); solid (carcinogenic substances, lead and its compounds, organic and inorganic dust, soot, resinous substances and others).
Gaseous pollutants are formed as a result of chemical reactions of oxidation, reduction, substitution, decomposition, as well as in the process of electrolysis, evaporation, distillation. Most gas exchange
different emissions consist of oxidation products formed during the combustion process. When carbon is oxidized, CO and CO2 are formed, when sulfur is oxidized - BSb, nitrogen - N0 and N0?. Incomplete combustion results in the formation of aldehydes or organic acids as a result of incomplete oxidation.
Liquid pollutants are formed during condensation of vapors, spraying or spilling of liquids, as a result of chemical or photochemical reactions.
Mechanical pollutants in the form of dust and aerosols are formed during the combustion of organic fuels and during the production process. Aerosols are solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. In the atmosphere, aerosol pollution is perceived as smoke, fog, haze or haze. The average size of aerosol particles is 1...5 microns. About 1 km 3 of dust particles of artificial origin enter the Earth's atmosphere annually.
Physical pollutants caused by: the entry of heated gases into the atmosphere; deterioration of natural illumination of the area under the influence of artificial light sources; anthropogenic noise; the presence of an electromagnetic field from power lines, radio and television, the operation of industrial installations; increasing the level of radioactive substances entering the atmosphere.
Chemical pollutants are formed as a result of the interaction of various substances in natural conditions, during various reactions through the synthesis of new substances in industry.
Biological pollutants are mainly a consequence of the proliferation of microorganisms and anthropogenic activities (thermal power engineering, industry, transport, actions of the armed forces).
The main pollutants (pollutants) of atmospheric air formed during industrial and other human activities are sulfur dioxide (80 2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (N0*), hydrocarbons (C X H Y) and particulate matter. They account for about 98% of the total emissions of harmful substances.
In addition to the main pollutants, more than 70 types of harmful substances are observed in the atmosphere of cities and towns (formaldehyde; hydrogen fluoride; compounds of lead, mercury, cadmium; ammonia; phenol; benzene; carbon disulfide, etc.).
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The problem of air pollution, especially in megacities and industrial areas, is more relevant today than ever. The increased number of cancers, decreased immunity, disturbances in the internal rhythms of the body - a number of health problems are associated with it. What are the main air pollutants? And do we have a chance to protect ourselves from them?
The structure of the atmosphere on our planet makes it possible for life to exist. The air we breathe is a true mixture of various gases, impurities and other substances. It is not difficult to guess that fluctuations in its composition have different effects on the state of the body.
Air structure
As mentioned above, air is a gas mixture; its components are presented in certain proportions, the violation of which can make the air hazardous to health and even life. The classic one is:
- Oxygen - about 21%
- Nitrogen - 78%
- Carbon dioxide - 0.03-0.04%
- Other gases (water vapor, inert gases, ozone, etc.) - approximately 1%
Naturally, this air composition is different in different regions of the country and the world as a whole. Thus, the oxygen content usually remains within limits, and its change is not recorded by more than 0.5%. This stability is maintained due to photosynthesis carried out by plants, as well as photochemical processes of decomposition of water vapor in the atmosphere under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Another important factor that maintains the optimal composition of atmospheric air is air masses moving throughout all areas of the planet.
The situation is worse with carbon dioxide, one of the main “antagonists” in matters of air ecology. It enters the atmosphere through the respiration of all living organisms, as well as during the decomposition of organic matter and volcanic eruptions. Artificial entry routes include industrial waste emissions, agricultural activities, and forest burning.
In industrial areas of cities, the concentration of carbon dioxide can reach 0.06%, and in crowded places without proper ventilation - up to 0.8%! Carbon dioxide, along with other substances, is a greenhouse gas that causes the greenhouse effect.
The remaining components of the air also play a role. Thus, nitrogen is considered as a solvent for other gases. Its content also remains within normal limits. A gas such as ozone is vital for the planet: it makes up the well-known ozone layer, which prevents harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the planet.
Sources of pollution
That current state the air leaves much to be desired, everyone knows. Active development of industry, mining, agriculture, vehicles - there are many factors that influenced the deterioration of air composition.
Nevertheless, there are also natural sources of pollution that existed at the dawn of the planet’s development. Therefore, in general, all air pollutants can be divided into natural and artificial. Natural pollutants include:
- Volcanoes: the incredibly dangerous and terrible process of volcanic eruption is accompanied by the release of gigantic volumes of air pollutants: carbon dioxide, water vapor, dust, soot and ash. These substances persist in the atmosphere for several years.
- Peat burning: peat deposits are a real time bomb. The gases that concentrate during their formation ultimately ignite at elevated temperatures (which is why such fires occur during particularly hot summers). As a result, a large volume of carbon dioxide is released, as well as suspended particles.
- Dust storms: This phenomenon is typical for a number of regions, usually desert and semi-desert. Strong winds lift tons of dust, sand, debris and other suspended particles into the air, transporting them over long distances.
But natural ones, in terms of the degree of their impact, are significantly inferior to artificial ones, that is, those created by man himself. Their variety is wide, but in general such sources can be divided into two types:
- Household waste: the same garbage that we regularly send to garbage containers in the yard. When burned in landfills and landfills, waste releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide. Rotting garbage is a source of methane, the concentration of which in the air has been growing alarmingly recently.
- Industrial waste: the worst enemy of clean air is the toxic emissions from factories and factories, as well as exhaust from various vehicles (cars, trains, aircraft and ships).
Together, all these sources make an unpleasant contribution to increasing air pollution. And if a person is unable to control natural processes, then the consequences of his own actions depend only on him.
Compound
Air analysis to assess the degree of atmospheric pollution shows that a lot of substances are pollutants - a whole periodic table! Their total number is extremely large, because modern production associated with the use of a number of synthetic agents. It is customary to identify several main pollutants, the influence of which is considered to be the strongest. They enter the atmosphere from both natural and artificial sources.
- Carbon monoxide. Or carbon monoxide; it has neither taste nor smell, and persists in the atmosphere for about 4 months. Under natural conditions, carbon monoxide can be released by plants at the beginning of their development, but fluctuations in CO in the air are insignificant. The main danger is posed by exhaust emissions, in particular from vehicles. The effect of CO on the body is fatal: when it enters the body, it blocks the flow of oxygen into the blood.
- Sulfur dioxide. The substance remains in the air for about 10 hours, it has a very pungent, unpleasant odor and high density. It is formed during the combustion of various fuels, especially coal. When gas enters the body, a person suffers from difficulty breathing, heart failure, and even pulmonary edema.
- Nitrogen oxides. Oxide is a colorless, high-density gas that, when reacted with oxygen, oxidizes to dioxide, a brown gas that can form acids when exposed to moisture in the air. It is much more dangerous and toxic than oxide. Both gases continue to persist in the atmosphere for about 3 days. Under natural conditions it is released during forest fires; Large emissions of pollutants are produced by the operation of thermal power plants, metallurgy and the production of explosives.
- Lead. This heavy metal is widely known for its toxic effects on the body. It is actively used in the production of paints, ammunition and in printing houses. In addition, a lot of lead enters the atmosphere from exhaust gases. When metal enters the body, it causes severe poisoning: disruption of mental activity, kidney function, liver function, and even destroys the skeletal system.
Taking action
Combating high levels of air pollution is required at all levels of government organization. A remarkable and sad fact: Russia is one of the countries with the worst ecology in the world.
In more than 120 cities, the concentration of toxic substances was found to be in excess of the norm. These are mainly the largest cities, as well as points where large industrial facilities are located. Obviously, the main source of air pollution is industrial waste.
- Among the main mechanisms for combating air pollution, the search for alternative and safe types of energy is considered. Solar, wind, geothermal energy, the creation of electric vehicles and much, much more should help reduce the concentration of harmful substances in the atmosphere.
- Another necessary measure is landscaping the regions. Excessive deforestation has led to a severe shortage of green space to combat excess carbon dioxide. In recent years, projects have been gradually implemented to introduce landscaping projects large areas in megacities and large industrial centers.
- Another aspect is regulating the amount of transport emissions. It would seem that this is impossible to do, especially in cities with a population of one million. However, modern technologies make it possible to install special filters, which, albeit slightly, reduce the concentration of toxins in the exhaust.
- The same applies to protective filters in treatment systems at large industrial enterprises. At the same time, new types of environmentally friendly fuels that do not pollute the atmosphere are being developed.
After all, another important measure to combat increasing air pollution is the adoption of laws regulating respect for nature. At the same time, it is necessary to instill in children responsibility for their actions from an early age.
The current state of air leaves much to be desired, since the level of air pollution in some regions of the world is amazingly high. The sources of this pollution are only partly under our control: a number of natural phenomena contribute to increased concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere.
However, human influence significantly exceeds natural “work”: industry, agriculture, deforestation, exhaust gases - all this has literally brought the air condition to catastrophic in just a few decades. But although the atmosphere is polluted every day with tons of exhaust and waste, this process cannot yet be called irreversible, so everything is in our hands.
At the end of 2016, news spread almost all over the world - the World Health Organization called the planet’s air deadly for humans. What is the reason for this situation and what exactly pollutes the Earth's atmosphere?
All sources of air pollution can be divided into two large groups: natural and man-made. The most terrible word “pollution” refers to any changes in the composition of the air that affect the state of nature, the animal world and humans. Perhaps the main thing here is to understand that the air has always been polluted, since the formation of the planet as it is. It itself is heterogeneous and includes various gases and particles, which is due to its ecological task - a mixture of substances in the air protects the planet from the cold of Space and the radiation of the Sun. At the same time, there is also a system of air self-cleaning - mixing of layers due to atmospheric phenomena, settling of heavy particles on the surface, natural washing of the air with precipitation. And before the advent of humans and anthropogenic pollutants, the system worked quite smoothly. However, we leave our mark on the planet every day, which was the reason for the current situation and the WHO statement. But first things first.
Sources of natural air pollution have been identified for a long time. The first in terms of the number of air polluting particles is dust, which appears due to the constant impact of wind on the soil or wind erosion. This process is especially common in steppes and deserts, where the wind actually blows away soil particles and carries them into the atmosphere, then the dust particles settle back to the surface of the earth. According to scientists' calculations, every year 4.6 billion tons of dust pass through this cycle.
Volcanoes are also a major source of natural air pollution. They annually add 4 million tons of ash and gases to the air, which then also settle in the soil at a distance of up to 1000 km.
Plants are next on the list of natural air pollutants. In addition to the fact that the green inhabitants of the planet constantly produce oxygen, they also create molecular nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sulfates and methane. In addition, plants release huge amounts of pollen into the air, clouds of which can rise up to 12 thousand kilometers.
The main sources of atmospheric air pollution include forest fires, evaporation of salts from the surface of seas and oceans, as well as cosmic dust.
Human activity every day creates a huge amount of various waste, which we generously share with the atmosphere. Today, in large industrial cities, you can observe beautiful, but at the same time, terrible phenomena - air with shades of all the colors of the rainbow, orange rain or simply chemical fogs. Sources of air pollution in a city are closely related to its life: vehicles, power plants, plants and factories.
Stationary sources of air pollution are all elements of industry located in a certain area and constantly or regularly emitting their waste into the atmosphere. For our state, the most relevant of these pollutants are power plants, mainly thermal power plants, boiler houses, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises, etc. Stationary sources Atmospheric air pollution is now found in any large and developed city, since it is still impossible to ensure full-fledged life without them.
It is also necessary to separately mention such sources of atmospheric and air pollution as road transport. Today, the traffic density in large cities is so high that transport arteries can no longer cope with the flow. In addition, urban transport operates, and since electric cars have not yet become widespread, this means that the city air is replenished with exhaust gases every day.
Analyzing the sources of urban air pollution piece by piece, we can distinguish three large groups: mechanical, chemical and radioactive.
The first type primarily includes mechanical dust, which is formed during the processing process. various materials or grinding them.
Mechanical pollutants also include sublimates, which are formed during the condensation of liquid vapors used to cool factory equipment, ash, which is created by mineral impurities during combustion, and soot. All these particles form tiny specks of dust, which then move through the city air, mixing with natural dust, and ending up in our homes. The smallest particles are the most dangerous, which we have already written about in the blog.
Sources of chemical air pollution are also more common than they seem. In fact, every city dweller inhales a full-fledged cocktail of elements periodic table Mendeleev.
. We have already written in more detail about its role and danger in this article; we will not repeat it.
Carbon monoxide. When inhaled, it binds hemoglobin in the blood and prevents the flow of oxygen into the blood, and therefore the supply of oxygen to all organs.
. A colorless gas with an unpleasant odor of rotten eggs, when inhaled it can cause a burning sensation in the throat, red eyes, breathing problems, headaches and other unpleasant symptoms.
For every resident of Russia there are now about 200 kg of chemical compounds sprayed into the air.
Sulfur dioxide. It is formed from the combustion of coal and ore processing; with prolonged exposure, it deprives a person of the sense of taste, and then leads to inflammation of the respiratory tract and disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
Ozone. A strong oxidizing agent that contributes to the development of oxidative stress.
Hydrocarbons. Products from the petroleum industry, both upstream and downstream, are mostly found in fuel residues, household chemicals and industrial cleaners.
Lead. Poisonous in any form, it is now used in acid batteries, paints, including printing paints, and even ammunition.
Sources of air pollution in populated areas now rarely include radioactive materials, but unscrupulous companies do not always comply with the rules for their disposal, and some particles penetrate into groundwater, and then, along with evaporation, into the air. An active policy is now being pursued to combat radioactive contamination of soil, water and air, since such pollutants are extremely dangerous and can cause many fatal diseases.
Pollution of the Earth's atmosphere is a change in the natural concentration of gases and impurities in the air envelope of the planet, as well as the introduction of substances alien to it into the environment.
They first started talking about it at the international level forty years ago. In 1979, the Long Range Transboundary Convention appeared in Geneva. The first international agreement to reduce emissions was the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
Although these measures are bringing results, air pollution remains a serious problem for society.
Air pollutants
The main components of atmospheric air are nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). The share of the inert gas argon is slightly less than one percent. The carbon dioxide concentration is 0.03%. The following are also present in the atmosphere in small quantities:
- ozone,
- neon,
- methane,
- xenon,
- krypton,
- nitrous oxide,
- sulfur dioxide,
- helium and hydrogen.
In clean air masses, carbon monoxide and ammonia are present in trace form. In addition to gases, the atmosphere contains water vapor, salt crystals, and dust.
Main air pollutants:
- Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that affects the heat exchange between the Earth and the surrounding space, and therefore the climate.
- Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide, entering the human or animal body, causes poisoning (even death).
- Hydrocarbons are toxic chemical substances, irritating to eyes and mucous membranes.
- Sulfur derivatives contribute to the formation and drying of plants, provoke respiratory diseases and allergies.
- Nitrogen derivatives lead to pneumonia, cereals, bronchitis, frequent colds, and aggravate the course of cardiovascular diseases.
- , accumulating in the body, cause cancer, gene changes, infertility, and premature death.
Air containing heavy metals poses a particular danger to human health. Pollutants such as cadmium, lead, and arsenic lead to oncology. Inhaled mercury vapor does not act immediately, but, deposited in the form of salts, destroys nervous system. In significant concentrations, volatile organic substances are also harmful: terpenoids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols. Many of these air pollutants are mutagenic and carcinogenic.
Sources and classification of atmospheric pollution
Based on the nature of the phenomenon, the following types of air pollution are distinguished: chemical, physical and biological.
- In the first case, an increased concentration of hydrocarbons, heavy metals, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, aldehydes, nitrogen and carbon oxides is observed in the atmosphere.
- With biological pollution, the air contains waste products of various organisms, toxins, viruses, spores of fungi and bacteria.
- Large amounts of dust or radionuclides in the atmosphere indicate physical contamination. This type also includes the consequences of thermal, noise and electromagnetic emissions.
The composition of the air environment is influenced by both man and nature. Natural sources of air pollution: volcanoes during activity, forest fires, soil erosion, dust storms, decomposition of living organisms. A tiny share of the influence also comes from cosmic dust formed as a result of the combustion of meteorites.
Anthropogenic sources of air pollution:
- enterprises of the chemical, fuel, metallurgical, engineering industries;
- agricultural activities (aerial pesticide spraying, livestock waste);
- thermal power plants, heating of residential premises with coal and wood;
- transport (the dirtiest types are planes and cars).
How is the degree of air pollution determined?
When monitoring the quality of atmospheric air in a city, not only the concentration of substances harmful to human health is taken into account, but also the time period of their exposure. Air pollution in Russian Federation assessed according to the following criteria:
- Standard index (SI) is an indicator obtained by dividing the highest measured single concentration of a polluting material by the maximum permissible concentration of an impurity.
- The index of pollution of our atmosphere (API) is a complex value, when calculating it, the coefficient of harmfulness of the pollutant is taken into account, as well as its concentration - the average annual and maximum permissible average daily.
- Highest frequency (MR) – the percentage frequency of exceeding the maximum permissible concentration (maximum one-time) during a month or year.
The level of air pollution is considered low when the SI is less than 1, the API ranges from 0–4, and the NP does not exceed 10%. Among the major Russian cities, according to Rosstat materials, the most environmentally friendly are Taganrog, Sochi, Grozny and Kostroma.
With an increased level of emissions into the atmosphere, SI is 1–5, IZA – 5–6, NP – 10–20%. High degree air pollution differs between regions with indicators: SI – 5–10, IZA – 7–13, NP – 20–50%. Very high levels of atmospheric pollution are observed in Chita, Ulan-Ude, Magnitogorsk and Beloyarsk.
Cities and countries in the world with the dirtiest air
In May 2016, the World Health Organization published its annual ranking of cities with the dirtiest air. The leader of the list was the Iranian city of Zabol, a city in the southeast of the country that regularly suffers from sandstorms. This atmospheric phenomenon lasts about four months and repeats every year. The second and third positions were taken by the Indian million-plus cities of Gwaliyar and Prayag. WHO gave the next place to the capital Saudi Arabia- Riyadh.
Al-Jubail, a relatively small town on the coast in terms of population, closes the top five cities with the dirtiest atmosphere. Persian Gulf and at the same time a large industrial oil-producing and oil-refining center. The Indian cities of Patna and Raipur again found themselves on the sixth and seventh steps. The main sources of air pollution there are industrial enterprises and transport.
In most cases, air pollution is a pressing problem for developing countries. However, the deterioration of the condition environment causes not only rapidly growing industry and transport infrastructure, but also man-made disasters. A striking example of this is Japan, which experienced a radiation accident in 2011.
The top 7 states where the air condition is considered depressing is as follows:
- China. In some regions of the country, the level of air pollution exceeds the norm by 56 times.
- India. The largest state of Hindustan leads in the number of cities with the worst ecology.
- SOUTH AFRICA. The country's economy is dominated by heavy industry, which is also the main source of pollution.
- Mexico. The environmental situation in the capital of the state, Mexico City, has improved markedly over the past twenty years, but smog is still not uncommon in the city.
- Indonesia suffers not only from industrial emissions, but also from forest fires.
- Japan. The country, despite widespread landscaping and the use of scientific and technological achievements in the environmental sphere, regularly faces the problem of acid rain and smog.
- Libya. The main source of environmental woes in the North African state is the oil industry.
Consequences
Air pollution is one of the main reasons for the increase in the number of respiratory diseases, both acute and chronic. Harmful impurities contained in the air contribute to the development of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. According to WHO estimates, air pollution causes 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide each year. Most such cases are recorded in the countries of Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region.
In large industrial centers, such an unpleasant phenomenon as smog is often observed. The accumulation of dust, water and smoke particles in the air reduces visibility on the roads, which leads to an increase in the number of accidents. Aggressive substances increase corrosion of metal structures and negatively affect the state of flora and fauna. Smog poses the greatest danger to asthmatics, people suffering from emphysema, bronchitis, angina pectoris, hypertension, and VSD. Even healthy people who inhale aerosols may experience severe headaches, watery eyes and a sore throat.
Saturation of air with sulfur and nitrogen oxides leads to the formation of acid rain. After precipitation with a low pH level, fish die in reservoirs, and surviving individuals cannot give birth to offspring. As a result, the species and numerical composition of populations is reduced. Acidic precipitation leaches nutrients, thereby depleting the soil. They leave chemical burns on the leaves and weaken the plants. Such rains and fogs also pose a threat to human habitats: acidic water corrodes pipes, cars, building facades, and monuments.
An increased amount of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, water vapor) in the air leads to an increase in the temperature of the lower layers of the Earth's atmosphere. The direct consequence is the warming of the climate that has been observed over the past sixty years.
Weather conditions are significantly affected by and formed under the influence of bromine, chlorine, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. In addition to simple substances, ozone molecules can also destroy organic and inorganic compounds: freon derivatives, methane, hydrogen chloride. Why is weakening the shield dangerous for the environment and people? Due to the thinning of the layer, solar activity increases, which, in turn, leads to an increase in mortality among representatives of marine flora and fauna, and an increase in the number of cancer diseases.
How to make the air cleaner?
The introduction of technologies in production that reduce emissions can reduce air pollution. In the field of thermal power engineering, one should rely on alternative energy sources: build solar, wind, geothermal, tidal and wave power plants. The state of the air environment is positively affected by the transition to combined energy and heat generation.
In the fight for clean air, a comprehensive waste management program is an important element of the strategy. It should be aimed at reducing the amount of waste, as well as sorting, recycling or reuse. Urban planning aimed at improving the environment, including the air environment, involves improving the energy efficiency of buildings, building cycling infrastructure, and developing high-speed urban transport.
