Enviromental problems

The Ozone Layer
The ozone layer is a protective layer of gas molecules located within the stratosphere.
Ozone gas also exists in the troposphere
and at ground level, but most is located within the stratospheric layer shown to the right.
As ozone levels in the stratosphere are depleted, more solar radiation penetrates the Earth’s atmosphere.
This affect results in an increase in solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface adding to an increase in surface temperature.

Acid rain is a kind of air pollution.
It is caused by power plants and factories that burn coal, oil or gas. These factories send smoke high into the air.
These gases react with water vapor in the atmosphere forming acids which return to Earth’s surface in the form of precipitation.
Acid rains
The formation of Acid rain.

THE EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN

The greenhouse effect and global warming - that is, an increase in average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans.
Global warming
Global warming can lead:
- to rises in sea levels;
- extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and hurricanes;
- global climate change.

The average variation of global surface temperatures in 1884, 1927, 1969 and 2012.
Dark blue - cool areas
Dark red – warm areas

Toxic air pollutants are
a class of chemicals which may potentially cause health problems.
Persistent toxic pollutants, such as mercury, can accumulate in the food chain.
The sources of toxic air pollutants:
- power plants;
- smelters;
- industrial boilers;
- petroleum refineries;
- manufacturing facilities;
- industries, pesticide application.
Toxic pollution of atmosphere
Gaseous pollutants:
sulfur dioxide (SO2),
nitrogen oxides (NOx),
ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO),
volatile organic compounds (VOC),
hydrogen sulfide (H2S),
hydrogen fluoride (HF), and various gaseous forms of metals.

- Less than 10 percent of the planet's land area remains as intact forest landscapes.
- 82 countries out of 148 countries lying within the original forest zone have lost all their intact forest landscapes.
- The majority of the world's last remaining intact forest landscapes consist of two major forest types - tropical rainforest and boreal forest.
- 49 percent of the remaining intact forests are the tropical forests of Latin America, Africa and Asia Pacific.
- 44 percent of the remaining intact forests are the great boreal forests of Russia, Canada and Alaska.
Disappearance forests

Pollution can occur from on-site sanitation systems, landfills, effluent from wastewater treatment plants, leaking sewers, petrol stations or from over application of fertilizers in agriculture.
Contamination of underground waters by chemical elements
Contamination can also occur from naturally occurring contaminants, such as arsenic or fluoride.
Using polluted groundwater causes hazards to public health through poisoning or the spread of disease.

Soil is the earth’s fragile skin that anchors all life on Earth. It is comprised of countless species that create a dynamic and complex ecosystem and is among the most precious resources to humans.
Destruction of soil in some areas