1.
1980s: scientists saw thinning areas over the polar regions; declining ozone levels elsewhere in the layer
2.
1995: most countries stopped producing CFCs, but will take 50-100 years to recover
3.
atmosphere: -78% nitrogen
-21% oxygen
-1% all other gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide)
- gases become less dense at higher altitudes
4.
carbon cycle: numerous processes that naturally regulate concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
5.
clean air act: - EPA has set protective health- based standards for ozone that we breathe
- many other programs are in place to cut NOx and VOC emissions
6.
climate change: rising temperatures may produce melting of polar ice, change in weather patterns, sea levels, ecosystems, and land use patterns
7.
CO2: - greenhouse gas most discussed
- rising in the gas causes temperatures to rise
- rising temperatures cause rising in the gas
- other variables cause this too
8.
environment issues from bad ozone: ground- level ozone damages vegetation and ecosystems
9.
flux: movement
10.
good ozone: - gradually being destroyed by man- made chemicals that were formerly used in coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, solvents, pesticides, propellants like CFCs, HCFCs, halons, etc.
11.
greenhouse effect: - ability of the atmosphere to trap heat in this way
1. solar energy passes through atmosphere and strikes earth's surface
2. portion of the heat radiates back through the atmosphere, some of it escaping into space while some is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere
3. heat absorbed by gases in the atmosphere is then radiated back to earth's surface, resulting in it being kept warm
12.
greenhouse gases: - gases in the atmosphere that absorb heat radiation
- some occur in nature while others are human- made
13.
growth in greenhouse gases: caused by the earth's positive imbalance between emissions and absorption
14.
health issues from bad ozone: - breathing ozone can trigger chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion
- can worse bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma
- can reduce lung function, inflame the lining of the lungs, and can scar lung tissue by repeated exposure
15.
montreal protocol: the U.S, along with 180 other countries adopted this treaty in 1987 to phases out the production and use of ozone- depleting substances
16.
natural processes: dominates the movement of carbon between the atmosphere and the land and ocean (plant photosynthesis)
17.
nitrogen: NOx
18.
ozone: occurs both in the earth's ground level and the upper atmosphere
19.
ozone depletion: - can cause increased amounts of UV radiation to reach the Earth which can lead to more cases of skin cancer, cataracts, and impaired immune systems
- UV can damage sensitive crops and reduce crop yields
- some scientists suggest that marine phytoplankton (base of ocean food web) are already under stress from UV radiation
20.
ozone hole: particularly dramatic ozone loss
21.
ozone layer: - specific layer where the concentration of ozone is the greatest
- CFCs act as catalysts for reactions that break down ozone
22.
prevent ozone depletion: - protect yourself against sunburn; wear min. SPF 15
- when UV index is "high", limit your outdoor activities during the afternoon
- use approved refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment
- make sure technicians working in your home to recover the refrigerant are certified
- repair leaky air conditions before refilling them
23.
sources of bad ozone: - emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities
- motor vehicle exhaust
- chemical solvents
24.
sources of greenhouse gases: - economic growth
- fuel used for electricity generation
- weather patterns affecting heating and cooling needs
25.
stratosphere: - extends from about 6 to 30 miles up
- good ozone
- protects life on earth from UV rays
26.
thinning polar regions: - ozone hole was identified in the antarctic springtime
- ozone- depleting chemicals attach to ice particles
- when sun comes out in polar spring, ice particles melt, releasing the ozone- depleting molecules from the ice particles surfaces
- one released, the ozone- destroying molecules break ozone apart
27.
troposphere: - extends to a level about 6 miles up
- bad ozone
- ground- level
- main ingredient of urban smog
- harmful to breathe and damaging to vegetation
28.
troposphere ozone: - "bad", not emitted directly into the air, but created by chemical reactions betweens oxides and nitrogens and volatile inorganic compounds in the presence of sunlight
- issue in the summer months because of strong sunlight and hot temperatures causing harmful ozone concentrations in the air we breathe
29.
USA stopping ozone depletion: - EPA has established regulations to phase out ozone- depleting chemicals in the U.S
- warning labels must be placed on all products containing CFCs or similar substances and nonessential use of ozone- depleting products are prohibited
- releases into the air of refrigerants used in car and home air conditioning units and appliances are prohibited
- some substitutes to ozone- depleting products have been produced and others are being developed
30.
UV radiation and visible light: - solar radiation reaching earth's atmosphere
- ozone layers filter out most damaging UV
- visible light is absorbed by the plant's surface and warms it
- heart is radiated by a warmed planet, and longer infrared wavelengths are absorbed by gases in the atmosphere, which then radiate some of the heat back to earth
31.
volatile organic compounds: VOC
32.
what people should do about bad ozone: - check air quality forecast and limit physical exertion outdoors when air quality index is unhealthy
- change the time of day you exercise (avoid afternoon) when ozone peaks
- make smarter choices such as conserve energy, keep car maintained, carpool, use low VOC paints, etc
