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PERC. You need your book go get it. AIR POLLUTION AND THE ENVIRONMENT. What can make air pollution worse?. Thermal Inversion Smog trapped between warm & cool air layers Stays close to ground Intensifies effects of air pollution. How does air pollution affect plants?. Makes stems brittle
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What can make air pollution worse? • Thermal Inversion • Smog trapped between warm & cool air layers • Stays close to ground • Intensifies effects of air pollution
How does air pollution affect plants? • Makes stems brittle • Leaves become spotted • Chlorosis- bleaching of leaf • Lesions- scars/tissue death
Chlorosis and necrosis of white pine needles Necrotic lesions on lower surface of potato leaves Necrosis of watermelon leaf
Why should we care if air pollution affects plants? • Kills agricultural crops • Might affect oxygen levels in atmosphere • Plants are useful indicators of air pollution problems- 1st to show signs of problems
What is acid rain? • Rain or snow that is more acidic than normal precipitation. • Normal rain = pH of 5.6 • Acid rain = pH below 5.6 • Comes from a primary pollutant- carbon, nitrogen, sulfur • Creates secondary pollutant when combined with water- carbonic acid, sulfuric acid.
How does acid rain affect plants? • Kills leaves, kills plant • Prevents sprouting of seeds • Destroys entire forest
How does acid rain affect animals/ecosystems? • Mutate eggs/larvae • Fewer eggs produced • Acid rain “leaches” aluminum out of soil, if gets on fish gills, causes suffocation • Kills immediately
How does acid rain affect humans? • Destroys monuments/ statues • Calcium carbonate & marble statues dissolve • Metal statues tarnish • Personal property affected • Corrodes steel • Discolors paint • Corrodes tires
What can be added to acidic soil or water to neutralize acidity? • Powdered lime
Global Warming Presentations 6th period present 3/23 8th 3/23 and 3/25