8. Atmospheric Pollution
Atmospheric pollution poses significant threats to human health, the environment, and climate. Major air pollutants include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, each having harmful effects. The chapter also discusses the greenhouse effect, global warming, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, and methods for controlling air pollution.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- Atmospheric pollution is caused by harmful pollutants affecting health and the environment.
- Major air pollutants include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.
- Greenhouse gases and acid rain contribute to climate change and ecosystem damage.
Key Concepts
- -- Atmospheric Pollution
- Contamination of air caused by harmful substances that adversely affect health and the environment.
- -- Greenhouse Effect
- The trapping of heat in the Earth's atmosphere by greenhouse gases like CO₂ and CH₄, essential for maintaining temperature but excessive levels lead to global warming.
- -- Acid Rain
- Precipitation with a pH below 5.6 caused by the dissolution of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in rainwater, resulting in environmental damage.
- -- Ozone Layer Depletion
- Reduction of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, primarily due to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), leading to increased ultraviolet radiation exposure.
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