Environmental Challenges: Pollution, Ozone Depletion, and Acid Rain

Environmental Principles

• Principle of Sustainable Emission
• Principle of Zero Emissions
• Principle of Sustainable Technology Selection
• Precautionary Principle

Environmental Classifications

• Atlantic
• Mediterranean
• Continental
• Tropical
• Tree

Environmental Problems by Scale

Local Issues

• Formation of fog or smog pollutants
• Noise pollution
• Electromagnetic fields
• Bioaccumulative, toxic compounds

Regional Problems

• Acid rain
• Ionizing radiation pollution

Global Issues

• Greenhouse effect and climate change
• Destruction of the ozone layer

Ozone Layer Depletion

The stratospheric ozone absorbs UV radiation through continuous formation and destruction reactions, which are in dynamic equilibrium.

Between 1977 and 1984, it was revealed that the amount of ozone had decreased by 40% during the Antarctic spring. It was found that ozone depletion is due to the action of active chlorine in the stratosphere. The origin of this element is in CFCs (chlorinated and fluorinated derivatives of hydrocarbons).

The effects of increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface include a higher frequency of skin cancers, eye damage such as cataracts, a weakened immune system, reduction in photosynthetic yield, and destruction of microscopic life forms.

Acid Deposition

Acid deposition is caused by the emission of sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), primarily produced by burning fossil fuels in power stations and urban motor vehicles. These products react with water vapor, light, and hydroxyl radicals, forming acidic compounds.

These secondary contaminants can be deposited in two ways:

• Dry deposition: Occurs in gaseous form or as aerosols, typically close to the emission source.
• Wet deposition: Occurs when mixed with water and forms part of precipitation, allowing transport over greater distances.