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Atmosphere pt. 2 - Coggle Diagram
Atmosphere pt. 2
CARBON FOOTPRINT
the measure of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released over the full life cycle of something
reducing carbon footprint:
renewable energy sources or nuclear energy could be used instead of fossil fuels
using more efficient processes could conserve energy and cut waste - lots of waste decomposes to release methane , this will reduce methane emissions
tax companies or individuals based on the amount of greenhouse gasses they emit
put a cap on emissions of all greenhouse gasses that companies make
technology that captures the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels before it is released into the atmosphere
making reductions is difficult:
still a lot of work to be done on technologies that result in lower carbon dioxide emissions
A lot of governments are also worried that making changes will impact on the economic growth of communities
hard to make international agreements to reduce emissions
individuals need to make changes in their lifestyles but it is hard to make the changes if they dont want to
AIR POLLUTION
combustion of fossil fuels:
fossil fuels - ( crude oil and coal) contain hydrocarbons
during combustion the carbon and hydrogen in these compounds are oxidised so that carbon dioxide and water vapour are released into the atmosphere
when there's plenty of oxygen, all the fuel burns - called complete combustion
not enough oxygen, some of the fuel doesn't burn - called incomplete combustion
when some of the fuel doesn't burn, solid particles of soot ( carbon) and unburnt fuel are released and carbon monoxide can be produces as well as carbon dioxide
particulates in the air can cause problems:
if inhaled they can get stuck in the lungs and cause respiratory problems
bad for the environment - the particulates or the clouds they help produce, reflect sunlight back into space meaning less light reaching Earth - Global dimming
carbon monoxide :
can stop your blood from doing its proper job of carrying oxygen around the body
it binds the haemoglobin in your blood - less oxygen is able to be transported
lack of oxygen - fainting, coma or even death
doesn't have any colour or smell, hard to detect, makes it even more dangerous
sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen:
sulfur dioxide is released during the combustion of fossil fuels ( coal) that contain sulfur impurities - the sulfur in the fuel becomes oxidised
nitrogen oxides are created from a reaction between the nitrogen and oxygen in the air, caused by heat of the burning ( e.g. internal combustion engine of cars)
when these gases mix with clouds they form dilute sulfuric acid or dilute nitric acid. This then falls as acid rain
Acid rain kills plants and damages buildings and statues. it also makes metal corrode
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can also be bad for human heath - can cause respiratory problems if breathed in
There are also techniques in use that can remove sulfur dioxide from waste gases in order to reduce acid rain. These techniques are referred to as sulfur scrubbing.