ES CH- 5 Global Environment Issues.. 2024-25

CHAPTER – 5
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
❖ Major Global Problems:

Due to some basic problems like over population, lack of awareness regarding the
environment, the population has caused imbalance in ecology and has left and left hazardous
effect on the living organisms.
1. Acid Rain
2. Global warming or Greenhouse effect
3. Depletion of Ozone layer.
1. ACID RAIN:
Definition:- " Acid rain "is a term used to describe the various ways that acid falls from the
atmosphere on the earth’s surface.
OR
Acid rain is rain which unusually acidic ( pH of less than the natural range of 5 to 6) caused
mainly by atmospheric pollution with sulphur dioxide and nitrogen compound.
❖ Causes of acid rain:

Human activities are main cause of acid rain. Scientists discovered, and have confirmed,
that sulphur dioxide(SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) are primary causes of acid rain.
1. Industrial combustions that mostly emits Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulfur Dioxide
(SO2).
2. Burning coal, Oil and natural gas during production.
3. Power plant releases the majority of sulphur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides
when they burn fossil fuels.
4. Volcanoes emit acid producing gases to create higher than normal amounts of acid.
5. Exhaust from cars, trucks, buses etc., releases nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.
❖ Adverse Effects of Acid rain:
1. The acid rain has very detrimental on water ecosystem.
2. Due to low pH fish life in water water may be adversely effect.
3. The acid rain adversely affects the plant, vegetation, the leaves and the growth.
4. Nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium are washed away from the soil by
acid rain.
5. Acid Rain causes extensive damage to building, statues, bridges, & structural
materials of marble, lime stone, etc.
6. Acid rain can also adversely affect the nervous, respiratory and digestive system.
❖ Remedial measures of Acid rain.
There are many solutions to the acid rain problem; we have to choice which options are
best.
1. Use of solar energy and wind energy for the production of electricity.
2. Use of non polluting fuels to run vehicles.
3. Control of expulsion SO2 and NOx and controlling nuclear expulsions.
4. Use of alternative energy sources to run vehicles like compressed natural gas, bettery-
powered cars, and gasoline (BIO-Diesel) powered vehicles.
5. Use of coal containing less sulphur, washed coal, using devices like scrubbers for
chemically removing the SO2.
2. GLOBAL WARMING OR GREENHOUSE HOUSE EFFECT
Important and commonly reffered problem of global environmental pollution greenhouse

effect or global warming. The word "Green House Effect” was first used by J. Fourier in
1987.
Definition: Greenhouse effect is process by which infrared radiation leaving the earth’s surface
is trapped by some green house gases; so the higher temperature rises on the earth’s surface.
❖ Green house gases:

1) Carbon dioxide (CO2): It is released to the atmosphere when solid waste, fossil fuels (oil,
natural gases, and coal) and wood are burned.
2) Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil.
3) Nitrogen oxide is emitted during agriculture and industrial activities.
4) Very powerful greenhouse gases, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC), Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC),
Sulphur hexafluoridde which are generated in variety of processes.
❖ Causes of Greenhouse Effect: .

1. Additional release of carbon dioxide by human activities.
2. Fossil fuels burned to runvehicles, factories, generators, and power factoriesare responsible
for about 98% of carbon dioxide emissions, 24% of methane emissions, 18% of nitrous
oxide emissions.
3. Increased agriculture, deforestation, industrial production, and mining also contribute a
significant share of emissions.
❖ Impacts of Greenhouse effect:

1. Rise in temperature.
2. Melting of icecaps and increase of sea levels.
3. Flooding in low lying area of the earth especially near the sea shore.
4. Less water vapour in the atmosphere leading to more draught.
5. Impacts on agriculture, plants and animals.
6. Sudden changes in rain pattern and seasons.
7. Adversely effect on human health.
❖ Remedial measures of greenhouse effect:

1. Reduce transport sector emissions by less and smart driving.
2. Promote renewable energy usage.
3. Favor sustainable agriculture.
4. Grow as many trees to stop deforestation.
5. Recover methane emissions though waste management.
6. Reduce waste; prefer reusable products, plastic, metals etc.
3. OZONE LAYER DEPLETION:
Ozone: Ozone (O3) allotropic form of oxizen (O2). It helps in sustaining life on the earth by
filtering out the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Ozone layer:
The total amount of ozone in an overhead column of the atmosphere is measured in Dobson
unit.
1 Dobson Unit = 0.01 mm
Across the globe, in the stratosphere, the average thickness of ozone layer is about 3 my at
00C and 1atm pressure.
Ozone hole:
When the level of ozone in the stratosphere, falls below 200 DU (2 mm), it is considered to
represent begining of an ozone hole or depletion of ozone layer.
❖ Causes of ozone layer depletion:

The gradual depletion of the ozone layer and ozone hole formation is due to the destruction
of ozone due its reaction with nitric oxide, chlorine, hydroxide radicals, etc. in the
atmosphere.
1. Flying supersonic aircraft in the ozonosphere.
2. Nuclear explosions and various chemical reactions in the atmosphere generate nitric
oxide.
3. Volcanic activity releases chlorine in the atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
Fluorochloro methane (CF2Cl2) and fluorochloroform (CFCl3)
❖ Effects of the ozone layer depletion:
In absence of an ozone layer, ultraviolet radiation could cause the following problems:
1. Increase the global temperature.

2. Ice melting.
3. Expansion of sea water volume.
4. Flooding of low lying areas.
5. Cause greatest damage to DNA.
6. Skin cancer is attributed to UV exposure.
7. UV exposure also adversely affects human eyes.
8. UV rays adversely affect the crop.
9. Affect fish and marine plant
❖ Remedial measures to control the depleting of Ozone layer.

1) Avoid any fire extinguisher that contains bromine - base halons. Preferably use water,
carbon dioxide or dry chemical fire extinguishers.
2) Spread awareness about the restricted use of CFCs for the healthy survival mankind.
3) Avoid purchasing and using refrigerators, air conditioners, which use CFCs, freons, etc.
4) Avoid purchasing and using pressurized aersol use CFCs, Freons, etc. as propellant.
5) Ban atmospheric nuclear explorations, as they emit NO and deplete the ozone layer.
6) Reduce the air traffic of supersonic aircrafts that fly at the ozonosphere, as they release
large amounts of NO and deplete the ozone layer.
Assignment -5
1. What is Acid rain? Write its causes effects, and remedial measures.
2. What is green house effect? Write its causes, effects, and remedial measures
3. What is Ozone layer depletion? Write its causes, effects, and remedial measures.

ES CH- 5 Global Environment Issues.. 2024-25

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ES CH- 5 Global Environment Issues.. 2024-25

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

ES CH- 5 Global Environment Issues.. 2024-25

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CHAPTER – 5

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

❖ Major Global Problems:

❖ Causes of acid rain:

2. GLOBAL WARMING OR GREENHOUSE HOUSE EFFECT

Important and commonly reffered problem of global environmental pollution greenhouse

❖ Green house gases:

❖ Causes of Greenhouse Effect: .

❖ Impacts of Greenhouse effect:

❖ Remedial measures of greenhouse effect:

❖ Causes of ozone layer depletion:

1. Increase the global temperature.

❖ Remedial measures to control the depleting of Ozone layer.

You might also like