Download 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