Bio Diversity

BIO DIVERSITY:
AIR POLLUTION BY GREENHOUSE GASES (CARBON DIOXIDE AND

METHANE), CONTRIBUTING TO GLOBAL WARMING AND ITS LIKELY
EFFECTS
Group Members:
Falisha, Ayesha, Anaik, Meerab and Jawwad
Greenhouse effect:
 Greenhouse gases absorb and emit infrared radiation. The greenhouse effect
maintains the temperature. Infrared radiation from the sun is of short
wavelength which is absorbed by the surface of earth. Earth radiates a longer
wavelength of infrared radiation which is absorbed by CO2. CO2 further re-emits
it, warming the atmosphere.
 Water vapour and methane are other greenhouse gases.
 Methane is mainly produced as a result of anaerobic fermentation.
Global Warming
The increased greenhouse effect is resulting in global warming. Since the
beginning of 20th century mean surface temperature has increased by 0.8
C. A rise of only a degree or two more will have disastrous consequences
including:
 Melting of polar ice caps, retreat of glaciers and a rise in sea levels
 Changes to the major ocean currents, redirecting warm water to previously cooler areas.
 Major climate changes, mainly changes in global rainfall patterns and more extreme weather
events.
 A shift of species towards poles as average temperatures increase, and a shift towards higher
altitudes to save lives.
 Production of crops in tropics will decrease and changes in agriculture will have to take place in
order to avoid malnutrition and starvation.
We should stop Global warming by reducing our reliance on the combustion of fossil fuels. This could
This could be achieved by reducing energy losses and by utilising renewable forms of energy, such as
Air pollution and Acid rain
Acid rain is defined as any precipitation (rain, hail, snow etc) . Which has a pH of
less than 5. The cause of this unusually acidic rain is the production of certain
gases as a result of human activities. The main gases involved are sulphur dioxide,
nitric acid and nitrogen dioxide. These gases are emitted from power stations,
homes, factories and vehicles, as a result of the combustion of fossil fuels.
 Nitrogen oxides are made from the reaction of nitrogen + oxygen in high
temperatures of car engines

 Combustion of fossil fuels that contain sulfur impurities creates sulfur dioxide.
Sulfur dioxide is released by coal factories, cars, and oil refineries

These two gases can react with rain water to produce acid rain.
Acid rain is a good example of how pollution is an international problem.
Damage to the environment
Acid rain can do a lot of damage to the environment:
 Damages leaf cuticles and kills plants
 Acidifies lakes and kills aquatic animals
 Damages buildings made of limestone
 Aluminum ions are leached out of the soil and washed into lakes that are toxic to
fish
 Increased risk of asthma attacks and Bronchitis in humans
 Acidification of the soil causes an imbalance in soil nutrients if death of many soil
microorganisms. This has resulted in destruction if vast areas of forest

 Acidified lakes take on a crystal clear appearance, because of the acid reduces
the number of phytoplankton that can survive in them. This interferes with food
chains and decreases the diversity of species
Solutions to reduce acid rain
Some solutions to reduce the incidence of acid rain may include:

 Using oil instead of coal (since coal contains more sulfur)
 Switching to more renewable resources of energy
 Using catalytic converter in car
 Chemical washing of fuels can remove up to 35 percent of the sulphur content of
coal and oil before combustion.

 Removing SO2 from the waste gases produced by burning coal in power stations,
using scrubbers or filters. NO can also be removed from the products of

combustion although this is more difficult.
Indicator Species
 An indicator specie is an organism whose presence, absence or abundance
reflects a specific environmental condition.
 Lichens are one such example, lichens are found in both nature and in human
environments.
 They are sensitive to air pollution because they receive all nutrients from
the atmosphere. The pollutant that mostly affect lichen is sulfur dioxide
(SO2)
How Does Sulfur Dioxide Affect
Lichens?
 Lichens are sensitive to sulfur dioxide
the compound easily dissolve in water
which the organism can then absorb, and
is prevalent in the air in its gaseous state
as well.
 It destroys the chlorophyll of the alga
thus inhibiting photosynthesis .
 In places where no lichens are growing it
may be a sign that the air is heavily
polluted with sulfur dioxide . lichens are
known as an indicator species for air
pollution by sulfur dioxide.

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BIO DIVERSITY:

AIR POLLUTION BY GREENHOUSE GASES (CARBON DIOXIDE AND

temperatures of car engines

Sulfur dioxide is released by coal factories, cars, and oil refineries

 Acidifies lakes and kills aquatic animals

 Damages buildings made of limestone

microorganisms. This has resulted in destruction if vast areas of forest

Some solutions to reduce the incidence of acid rain may include:

 Switching to more renewable resources of energy

 Using catalytic converter in car

 Chemical washing of fuels can remove up to 35 percent of the sulphur content of

coal and oil before combustion.

using scrubbers or filters. NO can also be removed from the products of

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