Departamento de Ciencias

2 PAI/1 ESO

NAME______________________________________________________________DATE_____________________

ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.

CRITERION D – Reflecting on the impacts of science

i. describe the ways in which science is applied and used to address a

specific problem or issue
ii. discuss and analyse the implications of using science and its application
to solve a specific problem or issue, interacting with a factor
iii. consistently apply scientific language to communicate understanding
clearly and precisely
iv. document sources completely.

1. Describe the ways in which science is applied and used in order to solve
the following problems:

a) Thinning of the Ozone Layer.

b) Acid Rain
c) The Greenhouse Effect

2. Try to answer the following questions and explain the importance of the
implication of science and its application it these items.

a) What can we do to reduce pollution from fossil fuel?

b) How does solid particle pollution affect human beings?
c) In what kind of places is noise pollution worst?
d) How might light pollution affect local wildlife?

PROJECT IN THE NEXT PAGE

 Departamento de Ciencias
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PROJECT

THINNING OF THE OZONE LAYER

The ozone layer is destroyed by chlorine molecules from CFC gases, such as those found
in aerosols. This reduces the protection from the Sun, meaning that more ultraviolet
radiation reaches the Earth’s surface.
Contrasting satellite observation data from NASA's Aura satellite and measurements of
chlorine levels in the atmosphere, researchers have shown that the decrease in chlorine in
so-called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), banned in the European Union since 1996, has led
to a 20% reduction in ozone depletion during the Antarctic winter.
Examples examples of solutions for the gases of the ozon layer:
1) Check that the insulating material you buy does not contain (CFC), instead you
can use dark agglomerated cork, which fulfills the same function and does not
pollute the environment.
2) Avoid the use of extinguishers containing halons, a very aggressive substance for
the ozone layer.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/ (link of science)
https://digital.bilingualbyme.com/#books (link of the definition)
http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/ (link of the examples)

ACID RAIN
The sulphur oxides and nitrogen produced by human industry react with atmospheric
water vapour to form sulphuric and nitric acids. When the acid falls to Earth it damages
and destroys ecosystems by acidifying
acidify to become an acid or to make something become an acidboth water and soil.
This phenomenon was observed in Sweden (1848),
England (1877) and Germany (1867),
where it was published that for some reason the
rains were more acidic than normal, it was in
 Departamento de Ciencias
2 PAI/1 ESO

that sense that Lee M. & Thomas (1986) pointed out that rainwater
is naturally to consider acid, given that its pH is usually 5.6 these because the water is an
excellent solvent, and when it is falls dissolves some of the carbon dioxide (CO2) present
in the atmosphere and returns to the surface in the form of "carbonic acid
Examples to reduce the acid rain:
1) Uses alternative energy sources, such as batteries, solar and wind energy, electricity
and the like.
2) Plant a tree, the tree will absorb part of the polluted air and release clean, fresh
oxygen.
https://digital.bilingualbyme.com/#books (link of the definition)
http://www.divulgameteo.es/uploads/Lluvia-%C3%A1cida.pdf ( link of science)
http://vidamasverde.com/2013/5-formas-de-reducir-la-lluvia-acida/ (link of the examples)

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Part of the Sun’s energy is naturally retained by the Earth. However, if more CO2 is
retained due to pollution, this causes even more heat to be retained. The rise in the
Earth’s temperature, known as global warming, melts the ice caps causing rising sea
levels, and possible destruction of ecosystems.
Scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz (United States) are studying the
greenhouse gases responsible for climate change from the warming experienced by the
Earth 55 million years ago, according to the latest edition of the magazine Science
Express.
Greenhouse gases, known as GHGs, are those gases that accumulate in the Earth's
atmosphere and are capable of absorbing infrared radiation from the Sun, increasing and
retaining heat in the atmosphere.
examples to reduce greenhouse gases:
1) install devices that help you save energy, such as motion sensors for lights or taps.
2) If you can avoid it, don't buy packaged meat: porexpan trays cannot be recycled and
are very harmful to the planet.
 Departamento de Ciencias
2 PAI/1 ESO

https://digital.bilingualbyme.com/#books (link of the definition)

https://www.europapress.es/ciencia/laboratorio/noticia-cientificos-estudian-efecto-
invernadero-partir-calentamiento-sufrido-tierra-hace-55-millones-anos-
20031024184410.html (link of the science)
https://bester.energy/gases-de-efecto-invernadero-gei/ (link of the science)

QUESTIONS
1. What can we do to reduce pollution from fossil fuel?
Today, we use a wide variety of energy sources, the vast majority of which are fossil
fuels, a situation that is causing climate change, but how can we solve this problem?
1) Use a bicycle, public transport or share a car when you use it.
2) Buy organic fruits and vegetables (fertilizers and pesticides are usually
derived from oil).
3) Choose clothes made from organic cotton and not from petroleum-based
materials.
https://www.saint-gobain.com.co/como-disminuir-el-consumo-de-
combustibles-fosiles

2. How does solid particle pollution affect human beings?

is because of particle contamination through the air. Since air represents a
major environmental health risk, whether in developed or developing
countries.There have been 4.2 million deaths worldwide each year. These
deaths are due to exposure to small particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter
(PM2.5), which are called PM10 and cause cardiovascular and respiratory
diseases and cancer.
https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-
quality-and-health
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3. In what kind of places is noise pollution worst?

the noise pollution is usually in the big cities but there are many places
where there is noise pollution for example: entertainment places like: clubs,
restaurants, bars, cafeterias, among others. Usually these places attract many
people and usually have a very high volume.
On the other hand, outdoor or indoor concerts are also an example of noise
pollution; it is worth noting that the average decibels recorded at a concert
exceed 100 db.
https://www.revistaciencias.com/contaminacion-acustica/

4. How might light pollution affect local wildlife?

Light pollution also affects wildlife, especially nocturnal life. This fauna needs darkness
to maintain its rhythms and sometimes light does not allow them to develop properly or
even at all.
Many animals that do not see at certain wavelengths can easily fall prey to other species.
Excessive light alters the habits of most insects that break the day-night cycle. In
addition, the ultraviolet light released by many lamps damages them and, indirectly, their
natural predators such as birds, bats or amphibians
https://www.ecologiaverde.com/
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2 PAI/1 ESO

LINKS
https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/
https://digital.bilingualbyme.com/#books
http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/
https://digital.bilingualbyme.com/#books
http://www.divulgameteo.es/uploads/Lluvia-%C3%A1cida.pdf
http://vidamasverde.com/2013/5-formas-de-reducir-la-lluvia-acida/
https://digital.bilingualbyme.com/#books
(https://www.europapress.es/ciencia/laboratorio/noticia-cientificos-estudian-
efecto-invernadero-partir-calentamiento-sufrido-tierra-hace-55-millones-anos-
20031024184410.html
https://bester.energy/gases-de-efecto-invernadero-gei/
https://www.saint-gobain.com.co/como-disminuir-el-consumo-de-
combustibles-fosiles
https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-
quality-and-health
https://www.revistaciencias.com/contaminacion-acustica/
https://www.ecologiaverde.com/