Air pollution and its consequences. Air pollution problem

Introduction

Atmosphere - the outer shell of the biosphere

Air pollution

Environmental consequences of atmospheric pollution7

3.1 Greenhouse effect

3.2 Ozone depletion

3 Acid rain

Conclusion

List of sources used

Introduction

Atmospheric air is the most important life-supporting natural environment and is a mixture of gases and aerosols of the surface layer of the atmosphere, formed during the evolution of the Earth, human activity and located outside residential, industrial and other premises.

Currently, of all forms of degradation of the natural environment in Russia, it is the pollution of the atmosphere with harmful substances that is the most dangerous. Features of the environmental situation in certain regions Russian Federation and emerging environmental problems are due to local natural conditions and the nature of the impact on them of industry, transport, utilities and agriculture. The degree of air pollution depends, as a rule, on the degree of urbanization and industrial development territory (specifics of enterprises, their capacity, location, applied technologies), as well as on climatic conditions that determine the potential for air pollution.

The atmosphere has an intense impact not only on humans and the biosphere, but also on the hydrosphere, soil and vegetation cover, geological environment, buildings, structures and other man-made objects. Therefore, the protection of atmospheric air and the ozone layer is the highest priority environmental problem and it is given close attention in all developed countries.

Man has always used the environment mainly as a source of resources, but for a very long time, his activity did not have a noticeable impact on the biosphere. Only at the end of the last century, changes in the biosphere under the influence of economic activity attracted the attention of scientists. In the first half of this century, these changes have been growing and at the present time they have fallen like an avalanche on human civilization.

The pressure on the environment increased especially sharply in the second half of the 20th century. A qualitative leap took place in the relationship between society and nature, when, as a result of a sharp increase in the population, intensive industrialization and urbanization of our planet, economic loads everywhere began to exceed the ability of ecological systems to self-purify and regenerate. As a result, the natural circulation of substances in the biosphere was disturbed, and the health of the present and future generations of people was threatened.

The atmosphere is the outer shell of the biosphere.

The mass of the atmosphere of our planet is negligible - only one millionth of the mass of the Earth. However, its role in the natural processes of the biosphere is enormous. The presence of the atmosphere around the globe determines the general thermal regime of the surface of our planet, protects it from harmful cosmic and ultraviolet radiation. Atmospheric circulation affects local climatic conditions, and through them - on the regime of rivers, soil and vegetation cover and on the processes of relief formation.

The modern gas composition of the atmosphere is the result of a long historical development the globe. It is mainly a gas mixture of two components - nitrogen (78.09%) and oxygen (20.95%). Normally, it also contains argon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.03%) and small amounts of inert gases (non-he, helium, krypton, xenon), ammonia, methane, ozone, sulfur dioxide and other gases. Along with gases, the atmosphere contains solid particles coming from the surface of the Earth (for example, products of combustion, volcanic activity, soil particles) and from space (cosmic dust), as well as various products of plant, animal or microbial origin. In addition, water vapor plays an important role in the atmosphere.

The three gases that make up the atmosphere are of greatest importance for various ecosystems: oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. These gases are involved in the main biogeochemical cycles.

Oxygen plays an important role in the life of most living organisms on our planet. It is necessary for everyone to breathe. Oxygen has not always been part of the earth's atmosphere. It appeared as a result of the vital activity of photosynthetic organisms. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, it turns into ozone. As ozone accumulated, an ozone layer formed in the upper atmosphere. The ozone layer, like a screen, reliably protects the Earth's surface from ultraviolet radiation, which is fatal to living organisms.

The modern atmosphere contains hardly a twentieth of the oxygen available on our planet. The main reserves of oxygen are concentrated in carbonates, in organic substances and iron oxides, part of the oxygen is dissolved in water. In the atmosphere, apparently, there was an approximate balance between the production of oxygen in the process of photosynthesis and its consumption by living organisms. But recently there has been a danger that, as a result of human activity, oxygen reserves in the atmosphere may decrease. Of particular danger is the destruction of the ozone layer, which is observed in last years. Most scientists associate this with human activity.

The oxygen cycle in the biosphere is extremely complex, since it reacts with a large number of organic and inorganic substances, as well as hydrogen, combining with which oxygen forms water.

Carbon dioxide(carbon dioxide) is used in the process of photosynthesis to form organic substances. It is thanks to this process that the carbon cycle in the biosphere closes. Like oxygen, carbon is a part of soils, plants, animals, participates in various mechanisms of the cycle of substances in nature. The content of carbon dioxide in the air we breathe is approximately the same in different parts of the world. The exception is large cities, in which the content of this gas in the air is above the norm.

Some fluctuations in the content of carbon dioxide in the air of the area depend on the time of day, the season of the year, and the biomass of vegetation. At the same time, studies show that since the beginning of the century, the average content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, although slowly but constantly, has been increasing. Scientists associate this process mainly with human activity.

Nitrogen- an irreplaceable biogenic element, since it is part of proteins and nucleic acids. The atmosphere is an inexhaustible reservoir of nitrogen, but the bulk of living organisms cannot directly use this nitrogen: it must first be bound in the form of chemical compounds.

Partially, nitrogen comes from the atmosphere to ecosystems in the form of nitric oxide, which is formed under the action of electrical discharges during thunderstorms. However, the bulk of nitrogen enters the water and soil as a result of its biological fixation. There are several types of bacteria and blue-green algae (fortunately, very numerous) that are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen. As a result of their activities, as well as due to the decomposition of organic residues in the soil, autotrophic plants are able to absorb the necessary nitrogen.

The nitrogen cycle is closely related to the carbon cycle. Although the nitrogen cycle is more complex than the carbon cycle, it tends to be faster.

Other components of the air do not participate in biochemical cycles, but the presence of a large number of pollutants in the atmosphere can lead to serious violations of these cycles.

Air pollution.

Pollution atmosphere. Various negative changes in the Earth's atmosphere are mainly associated with changes in the concentration of minor components of atmospheric air.

There are two main sources of air pollution: natural and anthropogenic. Natural source- these are volcanoes, dust storms, weathering, forest fires, processes of decomposition of plants and animals.

To the main anthropogenic sources atmospheric pollution include enterprises of the fuel and energy complex, transport, various machine-building enterprises.

In addition to gaseous pollutants, a large amount of particulate matter enters the atmosphere. These are dust, soot and soot. Contamination of the natural environment with heavy metals poses a great danger. Lead, cadmium, mercury, copper, nickel, zinc, chromium, vanadium have become almost constant components of the air in industrial centers. The problem of air pollution with lead is particularly acute.

Global air pollution affects the state of natural ecosystems, especially the green cover of our planet. One of the most obvious indicators of the state of the biosphere are the forests and their well-being.

Acid rains, caused mainly by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, cause great harm to forest biocenoses. It has been established that conifers suffer from acid rain to a greater extent than broad-leaved ones.

Only in our country total area forests affected by industrial emissions reached 1 million hectares. A significant factor in forest degradation in recent years is environmental pollution with radionuclides. Thus, as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, 2.1 million hectares of forests were affected.

Particularly affected are green spaces in industrial cities, the atmosphere of which contains a large amount of pollutants.

The air environmental problem of ozone depletion, including the appearance of ozone holes over Antarctica and the Arctic, is associated with the excessive use of freons in production and everyday life.

Human economic activity, acquiring an increasingly global character, begins to have a very tangible impact on the processes taking place in the biosphere. You have already learned about some of the results of human activity and their impact on the biosphere. Fortunately, up to a certain level, the biosphere is capable of self-regulation, which makes it possible to minimize the negative consequences of human activity. But there is a limit when the biosphere is no longer able to maintain balance. Irreversible processes begin, leading to environmental disasters. Humanity has already encountered them in a number of regions of the planet.

Environmental effects of atmospheric pollution

The most important environmental consequences of global air pollution include: atmosphere transport emissions. Effects pollution atmosphere. 2.1 Carbon monoxide... environmental research in decision-making, insufficient development of methods for quantitative assessment consequences pollution surface atmosphere ...

Ecological system (3)

Test work >> Ecology

Vida pollution atmosphere: natural and artificial, each due to their respective sources. Environmental effects pollution atmosphere To the most important ecological consequences global pollution atmosphere relate...

Measures to combat pollution atmosphere

Abstract >> Ecology

etc.) can be considered species pollution. Let's take a closer look at some effects pollution atmosphere Greenhouse effect Earth's climate... active acceleration of the global ecological crisis. …… 4.5 min Ozone hole in atmosphere At a height of 20...

Anthropogenic impacts on atmosphere (4)

Abstract >> Ecology

E. 6.3 times less. § 3. Environmental effects pollution atmosphere Pollution atmospheric air affects health ... e. 6.3 times less. § 3. Environmental effects pollution atmosphere Pollution atmospheric air affects the health...

Pollution of the Earth's atmosphere is a change in the natural concentration of gases and impurities in the air shell of the planet, as well as the introduction of alien substances into the environment.

For the first time about at the international level started talking forty years ago. In 1979, the Convention on Transfrontier Long Distances appeared in Geneva. The first international agreement to reduce emissions was the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

Although these measures bring results, air pollution remains a serious problem for society.

Substances polluting the atmosphere

The main components of atmospheric air are nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). The share of the inert gas argon is slightly less than a percent. The concentration of carbon dioxide is 0.03%. In small quantities in the atmosphere are also present:

• ozone,
• neon,
• methane,
• xenon,
• krypton,
• nitrous oxide,
• sulfur dioxide,
• helium and hydrogen.

In clean air masses, carbon monoxide and ammonia are present in the form of traces. In addition to gases, the atmosphere contains water vapor, salt crystals, and dust.

Main air pollutants:

• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that affects the heat exchange of the Earth with the surrounding space, and hence the climate.
• Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide, entering the human or animal body, causes poisoning (up to death).
• Hydrocarbons are toxic chemicals that irritate the eyes and mucous membranes.
• Sulfur derivatives contribute to the formation and drying of plants, provoke respiratory diseases and allergies.
• Nitrogen derivatives lead to inflammation of the lungs, croup, bronchitis, frequent colds, and exacerbate the course of cardiovascular diseases.
• , accumulating in the body, cause cancer, gene changes, infertility, premature death.

Air containing heavy metals poses a particular danger to human health. Pollutants such as cadmium, lead, arsenic lead to oncology. Inhaled mercury vapors do not act with lightning speed, but, being deposited in the form of salts, destroy the nervous system. Harmful and volatile in significant concentrations organic matter: terpenoids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols. Many of these air pollutants are mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds.

Sources and classification of atmospheric pollution

Based on the nature of the phenomenon, the following types of air pollution are distinguished: chemical, physical and biological.

• In the first case, an increased concentration of hydrocarbons, heavy metals, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, aldehydes, nitrogen and carbon oxides is observed in the atmosphere.
• With biological pollution, waste products are present in the air various organisms, toxins, viruses, spores of fungi and bacteria.
• A large amount of dust or radionuclides in the atmosphere indicates physical pollution. The same type includes the consequences of thermal, noise and electromagnetic emissions.

The composition of the air environment is influenced by both man and nature. Natural sources of air pollution: active volcanoes, forest fires, soil erosion, dust storms, decomposition of living organisms. A tiny fraction of the influence falls on cosmic dust formed as a result of the combustion of meteorites.

Anthropogenic sources of air pollution:

• enterprises of the chemical, fuel, metallurgical, machine-building industries;
• agricultural activities (spraying pesticides with the help of aircraft, animal waste);
• warm power plants heating of residential premises with coal and firewood;
• transport (the “dirtiest” types are airplanes and cars).

How is air pollution determined?

When monitoring the quality of atmospheric air in the city, not only the concentration of substances harmful to human health is taken into account, but also the time period of their impact. Atmospheric pollution in the Russian Federation is assessed according to the following criteria:

• The standard index (SI) is an indicator obtained by dividing the highest measured single concentration of a pollutant by the maximum allowable concentration of an impurity.
• The pollution index of our atmosphere (API) is a complex value, the calculation of which takes into account the hazard coefficient of a pollutant, as well as its concentration - the average annual and the maximum allowable average daily.
• The highest frequency (NP) - expressed as a percentage of the frequency of exceeding the maximum allowable concentration (maximum one-time) within a month or a year.

The level of air pollution is considered low when SI is less than 1, API varies between 0–4, and NP does not exceed 10%. Among the major Russian cities, according to Rosstat, the most environmentally friendly are Taganrog, Sochi, Grozny and Kostroma.

At elevated level emissions into the atmosphere SI is 1-5, API - 5-6, NP - 10-20%. The regions with the following indicators are characterized by a high degree of air pollution: SI – 5–10, ISA – 7–13, NP – 20–50%. A very high level of atmospheric pollution is observed in Chita, Ulan-Ude, Magnitogorsk and Beloyarsk.

Cities and countries of the world with the dirtiest air

May 2016 World Organization Health has published an annual ranking of the cities with the dirtiest air. The leader of the list was the Iranian Zabol, a city in the southeast of the country that regularly suffers from sandstorms. This atmospheric phenomenon lasts about four months, repeating every year. The second and third positions were occupied by the Indian cities of Gwalior and Prayag. WHO gave the next place to the capital Saudi Arabia- Riyadh.

Completing the top five cities with the dirtiest atmosphere is El Jubail - a relatively small place in terms of population on the Persian Gulf and at the same time a large industrial oil producing and refining center. On the sixth and seventh steps again were the Indian cities - Patna and Raipur. The main sources of air pollution there are industrial enterprises and transport.

In most cases, air pollution is an actual problem for developing countries. However, environmental degradation is caused not only by the rapidly growing industry and transport infrastructure, but also by man-made disasters. bright volume an example is Japan, which survived a radiation accident in 2011.

The top 7 countries where the air condition is recognized as deplorable is as follows:

1. China. In some regions of the country, the level of air pollution exceeds the norm by 56 times.
2. India. The largest state of Hindustan leads in the number of cities with the worst ecology.
3. SOUTH AFRICA. The country's economy is dominated by heavy industry, which is also the main source of pollution.
4. Mexico. The ecological situation in the capital of the state, Mexico City, has improved markedly over the past twenty years, but smog in the city is still not uncommon.
5. Indonesia suffers not only from industrial emissions, but also from forest fires.
6. Japan. The country, despite the widespread landscaping and the use of scientific and technological achievements in the field of environmental protection, regularly faces the problem acid rain, smog.
7. Libya. Main source environmental woes of the North African state - the oil industry.

Effects

Atmospheric pollution is one of the main reasons for the increase in the number of respiratory diseases, both acute and chronic. Harmful impurities contained in the air contribute to the development of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. The WHO estimates that 3.7 million people a year die prematurely due to air pollution worldwide. Most of these cases are recorded in countries South-East Asia and the Western Pacific region.

In large industrial centers, such an unpleasant phenomenon as smog is often observed. The accumulation of particles of dust, water and smoke in the air reduces visibility on the roads, which increases the number of accidents. Aggressive substances increase the corrosion of metal structures, adversely affect the state of flora and fauna. Smog poses the greatest danger to asthmatics, people suffering from emphysema, bronchitis, angina pectoris, hypertension, VVD. Even healthy people who inhale aerosols can have a severe headache, lacrimation and sore throat can be observed.

Saturation of the air with oxides of sulfur and nitrogen leads to the formation of acid rain. After precipitation from low level pH in reservoirs, fish die, and surviving individuals cannot produce offspring. As a result, the species and numerical composition of populations is reduced. Acid precipitation leaches out nutrients, thereby impoverishing the soil. They leave chemical burns on the leaves, weaken the plants. For human habitats, such rains and fogs also pose a threat: acidic water corrodes pipes, cars, facades of buildings, monuments.

An increased amount of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, water vapor) in the air leads to an increase in the temperature of the lower layers of the Earth's atmosphere. A direct consequence is the warming of the climate that has been observed over the past sixty years.

Weather conditions are noticeably affected by and formed under the influence of bromine, chlorine, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. In addition to simple substances, ozone molecules can also destroy organic and inorganic compounds: freon derivatives, methane, hydrogen chloride. Why is the weakening of the shield dangerous for the environment and humans? Due to the thinning of the layer, solar activity is growing, which, in turn, leads to an increase in mortality among representatives marine life and fauna, an increase in the number of cancers.

How to make the air cleaner?

To reduce air pollution allows the introduction of technologies that reduce emissions in production. In the field of thermal power engineering, one should rely on alternative energy sources: build solar, wind, geothermal, tidal and wave power plants. The state of the air environment is positively affected by the transition to combined generation of energy and heat.

In the fight for fresh air an important element of the strategy is a comprehensive waste management program. It should be aimed at reducing the amount of waste, as well as its sorting, processing or reuse. Urban planning aimed at improving the environment, including the air, involves improving the energy efficiency of buildings, building cycling infrastructure, and developing high-speed urban transport.

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If we consider environmental problems, one of the most pressing is air pollution. Ecologists sound the alarm and call on humanity to reconsider their attitude to life and consumption natural resources, because only protection from air pollution will improve the situation and prevent serious consequences. Find out how to solve such an acute issue, influence the ecological situation and save the atmosphere.

Natural sources of clogging

What is air pollution? This concept includes the introduction and entry into the atmosphere and all its layers of uncharacteristic elements of a physical, biological or chemical nature, as well as a change in their concentrations.

What pollutes our air? Air pollution is due to many reasons, and all sources can be conditionally divided into natural or natural, as well as artificial, that is, anthropogenic.

It’s worth starting with the first group, which includes pollutants generated by nature itself:

1. The first source is volcanoes. Erupting, they throw out huge amounts of tiny particles of various rocks, ash, poisonous gases, sulfur oxides and other no less harmful substances. And although eruptions occur quite rarely, according to statistics, as a result of volcanic activity, the level of air pollution increases significantly, because up to 40 million tons of dangerous compounds are released into the atmosphere every year.
2. If we consider natural causes air pollution, it is worth noting such as peat or forest fires. Most often, fires occur due to unintentional arson by a person who is negligent about the rules of safety and behavior in the forest. Even a small spark from an incompletely extinguished fire can cause a fire to spread. Rarely, fires are caused by very high solar activity, which is why the peak of danger falls on the sultry summer time.
3. Considering the main types of natural pollutants, one cannot fail to mention dust storms that occur due to strong gusts of wind and mixing of air flows. During a hurricane or other natural event, tons of dust rise, which provoke air pollution.

artificial sources

Air pollution in Russia and other developed countries is often caused by the influence of anthropogenic factors caused by the activities carried out by people.

We list the main artificial sources that cause air pollution:

• The rapid development of industry. It is worth starting with chemical air pollution caused by the activities of chemical plants. Toxic substances released into the air poison it. Also, metallurgical plants cause air pollution with harmful substances: metal processing is a complex process, involving huge emissions as a result of heating and combustion. In addition, they pollute the air and small solid particles formed during the manufacture of building or finishing materials.
• The problem of air pollution by motor vehicles is especially urgent. Although other species also provoke, it is the cars that have the most significant negative impact on it, since there are much more of them than any other vehicles. Exhausts emitted by motor vehicles and arising during engine operation contain a lot of substances, including hazardous ones. It is sad that every year the number of emissions increases. All large quantity people acquires an “iron horse”, which, of course, has a detrimental effect on environment.
• Operation of thermal and nuclear power plants, boiler plants. The vital activity of mankind at this stage is impossible without the use of such installations. They supply us with vital resources: heat, electricity, hot water supply. But when burning any kind of fuel, the atmosphere changes.
• Household waste. Every year, the purchasing power of people is growing, as a result, the amount of waste generated is also increasing. Their disposal is not given due attention, and some types of garbage are extremely dangerous, have a long decomposition period and emit vapors that have an extremely adverse effect on the atmosphere. Each person pollutes the air every day, but industrial waste is much more dangerous, which is taken to landfills and not disposed of in any way.

What are the most common air pollutants?

There are an incredible number of air pollutants, and environmentalists are constantly discovering new ones, which is associated with the rapid pace of industrial development and the introduction of new production and processing technologies. But the most common compounds found in the atmosphere are:

• Carbon monoxide, also called carbon monoxide. It is colorless and odorless and is formed during incomplete combustion of fuel at low volumes of oxygen and low temperatures. This compound is dangerous and causes death due to lack of oxygen.
• Carbon dioxide is found in the atmosphere and has a slightly sour smell.
• Sulfur dioxide is released during the combustion of some sulfur-containing fuels. This compound provokes acid rain and depresses human breathing.
• Dioxides and oxides of nitrogen characterize air pollution by industrial enterprises, since they are most often formed during their activities, especially in the production of certain fertilizers, dyes and acids. Also, these substances can be released as a result of fuel combustion or during operation of the machine, especially if it malfunctions.
• Hydrocarbons are one of the most common substances and can be found in solvents, detergents, and petroleum products.
• Lead is also harmful and is used to make batteries and accumulators, cartridges and ammunition.
• Ozone is extremely toxic and is formed during photochemical processes or during the operation of vehicles and factories.

Now you know what substances pollute the air pool most often. But this is only a small part of them, the atmosphere contains a lot of various compounds, and some of them are even unknown to scientists.

Sad consequences

The scale of the impact of atmospheric air pollution on human health and the entire ecosystem as a whole is simply enormous, and many underestimate them. Let's start with ecology.

1. Firstly, due to polluted air, a greenhouse effect has developed, which gradually, but globally, changes the climate, leads to warming and provokes natural disasters. It can be said that it leads to irreversible consequences in the state of the environment.
2. Secondly, acid rains are becoming more and more frequent, having a negative impact on all life on Earth. Through their fault, entire populations of fish are dying, unable to live in such an acidic environment. A negative impact is observed when examining historical monuments and architectural monuments.
3. Thirdly, fauna and flora suffer, as dangerous vapors are inhaled by animals, they also enter plants and gradually destroy them.

Polluted atmosphere has a very negative impact on human health. Emissions enter the lungs and cause malfunctions respiratory system, the hardest allergic reactions. Together with the blood, dangerous compounds are carried throughout the body and wear it out greatly. And some elements are capable of provoking mutation and degeneration of cells.

How to solve the problem and save the environment

The problem of atmospheric air pollution is very relevant, especially considering that the environment has deteriorated greatly over the past few decades. And it needs to be solved comprehensively and in several ways.

Consider a few effective interventions for the prevention of air pollution:

1. In order to combat air pollution in individual enterprises, it is necessary to without fail install treatment and filtering facilities and systems. And at especially large industrial plants, it is necessary to begin the introduction of stationary monitoring posts for atmospheric air pollution.
2. Switching to alternative and less harmful energy sources, such as solar panels or electricity, should be used to avoid air pollution from vehicles.
3. The replacement of combustible fuels with more affordable and less dangerous ones, such as water, wind, sunlight and others that do not require combustion, will help protect the atmospheric air from pollution.
4. The protection of atmospheric air from pollution should be maintained at state level and there are already laws to protect it. But it is also necessary to act and exercise control in individual subjects of the Russian Federation.
5. One of the effective ways, which should include the protection of air from pollution, is to establish a system for the disposal of all waste or their processing.
6. Plants should be used to solve the problem of air pollution. Widespread landscaping will improve the atmosphere and increase the amount of oxygen in it.

How to protect atmospheric air from pollution? If all of humanity is struggling with it, then there are chances for an improvement in the environment. Knowing the essence of the problem of air pollution, its relevance and the main solutions, we need to work together and comprehensively to combat pollution.

Pollution of atmospheric air with various harmful substances leads to the occurrence of diseases of human organs and, above all, respiratory organs.

The atmosphere always contains a certain amount of impurities coming from natural and anthropogenic sources. Among the impurities released by natural sources include: dust (of vegetable, volcanic, cosmic origin; arising from soil erosion, particles sea ​​salt), smoke, gases from forest and steppe fires and volcanic origin. Natural sources of pollution are either distributed, for example, cosmic dust fallout, or short-term, spontaneous, for example, forest and steppe fires, volcanic eruptions, etc. The level of atmospheric pollution by natural sources is background and changes little over time.

Main anthropogenic pollution Atmospheric air is created by enterprises of a number of industries, transport and thermal power engineering.

The most common toxic substances polluting the atmosphere are: carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (S0 2), nitrogen oxides (No x), hydrocarbons (C P H t) and solids (dust).

In addition to CO, S0 2 , NO x , C n H m and dust, other, more toxic substances: fluorine compounds, chlorine, lead, mercury, benzo(a)pyrene. Ventilation emissions from the electronics industry plant contain vapors of hydrofluoric, sulfuric, chromic and other mineral acids, organic solvents, etc. Currently, there are more than 500 harmful substances polluting the atmosphere, and their number is increasing. Emissions of toxic substances into the atmosphere lead, as a rule, to the excess of the current concentrations of substances over the maximum permissible concentrations.

High concentrations of impurities and their migration in the atmospheric air lead to the formation of secondary more toxic compounds (smog, acids) or to such phenomena as the "greenhouse effect" and the destruction of the ozone layer.

Smog- Severe air pollution observed in big cities and industrial centers. There are two types of smog:

Dense fog with an admixture of smoke or gas production waste;

Photochemical smog - a veil of caustic gases and aerosols of high concentration (without fog), resulting from photochemical reactions in gaseous emissions under the influence of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.

Smog reduces visibility, increases the corrosion of metal and structures, adversely affects health and is the cause of increased morbidity and mortality.

acid rain known for more than 100 years, however, the problem of acid rain began to pay due attention relatively recently. The expression "acid rain" was first used by Robert Angus Smith (Great Britain) in 1872.

Essentially, acid rain results from the chemical and physical transformations of sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere. The end result of these chemical transformations is, respectively, sulfuric (H 2 S0 4) and nitric (HN0 3) acid. Subsequently, vapors or molecules of acids, absorbed by cloud droplets or aerosol particles, fall to the ground in the form of dry or wet sediment (sedimentation). At the same time, near sources of pollution, the proportion of dry acid precipitation exceeds the proportion of wet ones for sulfur-containing substances by 1.1 and for nitrogen-containing substances by 1.9 times. However, as one moves away from direct sources of pollution wet precipitation may contain more contaminants than dry ones.

If air pollutants of anthropogenic and natural origin were evenly distributed over the surface of the Earth, then the effect of acid precipitation on the biosphere would be less detrimental. There are direct and indirect effects of acid precipitation on the biosphere. Direct impact is manifested in the direct death of plants and trees, which occurs to the greatest extent near the source of pollution, within a radius of up to 100 km from it.

Air pollution and acid rain accelerate the corrosion of metal structures (up to 100 microns/year), destroy buildings and monuments, and especially those built from sandstone and limestone.

The indirect impact of acid precipitation on the environment is carried out through processes occurring in nature as a result of changes in the acidity (pH) of water and soil. Moreover, it manifests itself not only in the immediate vicinity of the source of pollution, but also at considerable distances, hundreds of kilometers.

A change in the acidity of the soil disrupts its structure, affects fertility and leads to the death of plants. An increase in the acidity of fresh water bodies leads to a decrease in fresh water reserves and causes the death of living organisms (the most sensitive ones begin to die already at pH = 6.5, and at pH = 4.5 only a few species of insects and plants are able to live).

Greenhouse effect. The composition and state of the atmosphere influence many processes of radiant heat exchange between the Cosmos and the Earth. The process of energy transfer from the Sun to the Earth and from the Earth to Space keeps the temperature of the biosphere at a certain level - on average +15°. At the same time, the main role in maintaining temperature conditions in the biosphere belongs to solar radiation, which carries to the Earth the determining part of the thermal energy, in comparison with other sources of heat,:

Heat from solar radiation 25 10 23 99.80

Heat from natural sources

(from the bowels of the Earth, from animals, etc.) 37.46 10 20 0.18

Heat from anthropogenic sources

(electrical installations, fires, etc.) 4.2 10 20 0.02

The violation of the Earth's heat balance, leading to an increase in the average temperature of the biosphere, which has been observed in recent decades, occurs due to the intensive release of anthropogenic impurities and their accumulation in the atmospheric layers. Most gases are transparent to solar radiation. However, carbon dioxide (C0 2), methane (CH 4), ozone (0 3), water vapor (H 2 0) and some other gases in the lower atmosphere, passing Sun rays in the optical wavelength range - 0.38 ... 0.77 microns, prevent the passage of thermal radiation reflected from the Earth's surface in the infrared wavelength range - 0.77 ... 340 microns into outer space. The greater the concentration of gases and other impurities in the atmosphere, the smaller the proportion of heat from the Earth's surface goes into space, and the more, consequently, it is retained in the biosphere, causing climate warming.

Modeling of various climatic parameters shows that by 2050 average temperature on Earth it can rise by 1.5...4.5°C. This warming will cause melting polar ice and mountain glaciers, which will lead to a rise in the level of the World Ocean by 0.5 ... 1.5 m. At the same time, the level of rivers flowing into the seas will also rise (the principle of communicating vessels). All this will cause flooding of island countries, the coastal strip and territories located below sea level. Millions of refugees will appear, forced to leave their homes and migrate inland. All ports will need to be rebuilt or refurbished to accommodate the new sea level. Global warming can have an even stronger impact on the distribution of precipitation and agriculture, due to the disruption of circulation links in the atmosphere. Further climate warming by 2100 may raise the level of the World Ocean by two meters, which will lead to flooding of 5 million km 2 of land, which is 3% of all land and 30% of all productive land on the planet.

The greenhouse effect in the atmosphere is a fairly common phenomenon at the regional level as well. Anthropogenic sources of heat (thermal power plants, transport, industry) concentrated in large cities and industrial centers, intensive influx of "greenhouse" gases and dust, a stable state of the atmosphere create spaces with a radius of up to 50 km or more near cities with elevations of 1 ... 5 ° With temperatures and high concentrations of contaminants. These zones (domes) above the cities are clearly visible from outer space. They are destroyed only with intensive movements of large masses of atmospheric air.

Destruction of the ozone layer. The main substances that destroy the ozone layer are compounds of chlorine and nitrogen. According to estimates, one chlorine molecule can destroy up to 10 5 molecules, and one molecule of nitrogen oxides - up to 10 ozone molecules. The sources of chlorine and nitrogen compounds entering the ozone layer are:

Freons, whose life expectancy reaches 100 years or more, have a significant impact on the ozone layer. Remaining in an unchanged form for a long time, they at the same time gradually move to higher layers of the atmosphere, where short-wave ultraviolet rays knock out chlorine and fluorine atoms from them. These atoms react with ozone in the stratosphere and accelerate its decay, while remaining unchanged. Thus, freon plays the role of a catalyst here.

Sources and levels of pollution of the hydrosphere. Water is the most important environmental factor, which has a diverse impact on all vital processes of the body, including human morbidity. It is a universal solvent of gaseous, liquid and solid substances, and also participates in the processes of oxidation, intermediate metabolism, digestion. Without food, but with water, a person can live for about two months, and without water - for several days.

The daily balance of water in the human body is about 2.5 liters.

The hygienic value of water is great. It is used to maintain the human body, household items, housing in proper sanitary condition, and has a beneficial effect on the climatic conditions of the population's recreation and life. But it can also be a source of danger to humans.

Approximately half of the world's population is currently unable to consume sufficient amounts of pure fresh water. Developing countries suffer the most from this, where 61% of rural residents are forced to use epidemiologically unsafe water, and 87% do not have sewerage.

It has long been noted that the water factor in the spread of acute intestinal infections and invasions. Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, etc. may be present in the water of water sources. Some pathogenic microorganisms persist for a long time and even multiply in natural water.

The source of contamination of surface water bodies can be untreated sewage.

Water epidemics are considered to be characterized by a sudden rise in the incidence, maintaining a high level for some time, limiting the epidemic outbreak to a circle of people using common source water supply, and the absence of diseases among residents of the same settlement, but using a different source of water supply.

AT recent times the initial quality of natural water is changing due to irrational human activities. The penetration into the aquatic environment of various toxicants and substances that change the natural composition of water poses an exceptional danger to natural ecosystems and humans.

In human use water resources Lands distinguish two directions: water use and water consumption.

At water use water is usually not withdrawn from water bodies but the quality may vary. Water use includes the use of water resources for hydropower, shipping, fishing and fish farming, recreation, tourism and sports.

At water consumption water is withdrawn from water bodies and either included in the composition of the produced products (and, together with evaporation losses in the production process, is included in irretrievable water consumption), or partially returned to the reservoir, but usually of a much worse quality.

Wastewater annually carries a large amount of various chemical and biological contaminants into water bodies Kazakhstan: copper, zinc, nickel, mercury, phosphorus, lead, manganese, petroleum products, detergents, fluorine, nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, arsenic, pesticides - this is not a complete and constantly growing list of substances that enter the aquatic environment.

Ultimately, water pollution poses a threat to human health through the consumption of fish and water.

Not only primary pollution of surface waters is dangerous, but also secondary pollution, the occurrence of which is possible as a result of chemical reactions of substances in the aquatic environment.

Consequences of pollution natural waters are diverse, but, in the end, they reduce the supply of drinking water, cause diseases of people and all living things, and disrupt the circulation of many substances in the biosphere.

Sources and levels of pollution of the lithosphere. As a result of economic (domestic and industrial) human activities, different quantity chemicals: pesticides, mineral fertilizers, plant growth stimulants, surfactants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH), industrial and domestic wastewater, emissions from industrial enterprises and transport, etc. Accumulating in the soil, they adversely affect all metabolic processes occurring in it and prevent its self-purification.

The problem of household waste disposal is becoming more and more difficult. Huge garbage dumps have become a characteristic feature of urban outskirts. It is no coincidence that the term "garbage civilization" is sometimes used in relation to our time.

In Kazakhstan, on average, up to 90% of all toxic production waste is subject to annual burial and organized storage. These wastes contain arsenic, lead, zinc, asbestos, fluorine, phosphorus, manganese, petroleum products, radioactive isotopes and waste from electroplating.

Severe soil pollution in the Republic of Kazakhstan occurs due to the lack of necessary control over the use, storage, transportation of mineral fertilizers and pesticides. The fertilizers used are usually not purified, so many toxic chemicals enter the soil with them. chemical elements and their compounds: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, nickel, zinc, selenium. In addition, an excess of nitrogen fertilizers leads to the saturation of vegetables with nitrates, which causes human poisoning. Currently, there are many different pesticides (pesticides). Only in Kazakhstan more than 100 types of pesticides are used annually (Metaphos, Decis, BI-58, Vitovax, Vitothiuram, etc.), which have a wide spectrum of activity, although they are used for a limited number of crops and insects. They remain in the soil for a long time and exhibit a toxic effect on all organisms.

There are cases of chronic and acute poisoning of people during agricultural work in fields, vegetable gardens, orchards treated with pesticides or contaminated with chemicals contained in atmospheric emissions from industrial enterprises.

The entry of mercury into the soil, even in small quantities, has big influence on its biological properties. Thus, it has been established that mercury reduces the ammonifying and nitrifying activity of the soil. The increased content of mercury in the soil of populated areas adversely affects the human body: there are frequent illnesses nervous and endocrine systems, genitourinary organs, decreased fertility.

When lead enters the soil, it inhibits the activity of not only nitrifying bacteria, but also antagonist microorganisms of the Flexner and Sonne coli and dysentery, and prolongs the period of soil self-purification.

The chemical compounds in the soil are washed off its surface into open water bodies or enter the ground water flow, thereby affecting the qualitative composition of domestic and drinking water, as well as food products of plant origin. Qualitative composition and the amount of chemicals in these products is largely determined by the type of soil and its chemical composition.

The special hygienic significance of the soil is associated with the danger of transmitting various pathogens to humans. infectious diseases. Despite the antagonism of the soil microflora, pathogens of many infectious diseases are able to remain viable and virulent in it for a long time. During this time, they can pollute underground water sources and infect humans.

With soil dust, pathogens of a number of other infectious diseases can spread: tuberculosis microbacteria, poliomyelitis viruses, Coxsackie, ECHO, etc. Soil also plays an important role in the spread of epidemics caused by helminths.

3. Industrial enterprises, energy facilities, communications and transport are the main sources of energy pollution of industrial regions, the urban environment, housing and natural areas. Energy pollution includes vibration and acoustic effects, electromagnetic fields and radiation, exposure to radionuclides and ionizing radiation.

Vibrations in the urban environment and residential buildings, the source of which is technological impact equipment, rail vehicles, construction machines and heavy vehicles, propagate through the ground.

Noise in the urban environment and residential buildings is generated by vehicles, industrial equipment, sanitary installations and devices, etc. On urban highways and in adjacent areas, sound levels can reach 70 ... 80 dB A, and in some cases 90 dB A and more. Sound levels are even higher near airports.

Sources of infrasound can be both natural (wind blowing of building structures and the water surface) and anthropogenic (moving mechanisms with large surfaces - vibrating platforms, vibrating screens; rocket engines, high-power internal combustion engines, gas turbines, vehicles). In some cases, the sound pressure levels of infrasound can reach the standard values ​​of 90 dB, and even exceed them, at considerable distances from the source.

The main sources of electromagnetic fields (EMF) of radio frequencies are radio engineering objects (RTO), television and radar stations(RLS), thermal workshops and sites (in areas adjacent to enterprises).

In everyday life, sources of EMF and radiation are televisions, displays, microwave ovens and other devices. Electrostatic fields in conditions of low humidity (less than 70%) create carpets, capes, curtains, etc.

The radiation dose generated by anthropogenic sources (with the exception of radiation exposure during medical examinations) is small compared to the natural background of ionizing radiation, which is achieved by using means collective defense. In cases where regulatory requirements and radiation safety rules are not observed at economic facilities, the levels ionizing effect increase sharply.

Dispersion in the atmosphere of radionuclides contained in emissions leads to the formation of pollution zones near the source of emissions. Usually, the zones of anthropogenic exposure of residents living around nuclear fuel processing facilities at a distance of up to 200 km range from 0.1 to 65% of the natural radiation background.

Migration radioactive substances in the soil is determined mainly by its hydrological regime, the chemical composition of the soil and radionuclides. Sandy soils have a lower sorption capacity, while clay soils, loams and chernozems have a larger one. 90 Sr and l 37 Cs have high retention strength in soil.

The experience of liquidating the consequences of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant shows that agricultural production is unacceptable in areas with a pollution density above 80 Ci / km 2, and in areas contaminated up to 40 ... 50 Ci / km 2, it is necessary to limit the production of seed and industrial crops, as well as feed for young and fattening beef cattle. With a pollution density of 15...20 Ci/kg for 137 Cs, agricultural production is quite acceptable.

Of the considered energy pollution in modern conditions The greatest negative impact on humans is caused by radioactive and acoustic pollution.

Negative factors in emergency situations. Emergencies occur when natural phenomena(earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc.) and man-made accidents. To the greatest extent, the accident rate is characteristic of the coal, mining, chemical, oil and gas and metallurgical industries, geological exploration, boiler supervision, gas and material handling facilities, as well as transport.

Destruction or depressurization of high pressure systems, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the working medium, can lead to the appearance of one or a complex damaging factors:

Shock wave (consequences - injuries, destruction of equipment and supporting structures, etc.);

Fire of buildings, materials, etc. (consequences - thermal burns, loss of structural strength, etc.);

Chemical pollution of the environment (consequences - suffocation, poisoning, chemical burns, etc.);

Pollution of the environment with radioactive substances. Emergencies also arise as a result of unregulated storage and transportation of explosives, flammable liquids, chemical and radioactive substances, supercooled and heated liquids, etc. Explosions, fires, spills of chemically active liquids, emissions of gas mixtures are the consequences of violations of the rules of operations.

One of the common causes of fires and explosions, especially at oil and gas and chemical production facilities and during the operation of vehicles, is static electricity discharges. Static electricity is a set of phenomena associated with the formation and preservation of a free electric charge on the surface and in the volume of dielectric and semiconductor substances. The cause of static electricity is the processes of electrification.

Natural static electricity is generated on the surface of clouds as a result of complex atmospheric processes. Charges of atmospheric (natural) static electricity form a potential relative to the Earth of several million volts, leading to lightning strikes.

Spark discharges of artificial static electricity are common causes of fires, and spark discharges of atmospheric static electricity (lightning) are common causes of larger emergencies. They can cause both fires and mechanical damage to equipment, disruptions in communication lines and power supply to certain areas.

Discharges of static electricity and sparks in electrical circuits create a great danger in conditions of high content of combustible gases (for example, methane in mines, natural gas in residential premises) or combustible vapors and dust in premises.

The main causes of major man-made accidents are:

Failures of technical systems due to manufacturing defects and violations of operating modes; many modern potentially hazardous industries are designed in such a way that the probability of a major accident is very high and is estimated at a risk value of 10 4 or more;

Erroneous actions of operators of technical systems; statistics show that more than 60% of accidents occurred as a result of errors of maintenance personnel;

The concentration of various industries in industrial zones without a proper study of their mutual influence;

High energy level of technical systems;

External negative impacts on energy facilities, transport, etc.

Practice shows that it is impossible to solve the problem of complete elimination of negative impacts in the technosphere. To ensure protection in the technosphere, it is only realistic to limit the impact negative factors their admissible levels taking into account their combined (simultaneous) action. Compliance with the maximum permissible levels of exposure is one of the main ways to ensure the safety of human life in the technosphere.

4. Production environment and its characteristics. About 15 thousand people die in production every year. and about 670 thousand people are injured. According to Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR Dogudzhiev V.X. in 1988, there were 790 major accidents and 1 million cases of group injuries in the country. This determines the importance of the safety of human activity, which distinguishes it from all living things - Mankind at all stages of its development paid serious attention to the conditions of activity. In the works of Aristotle, Hippocrates (III-V) century BC), working conditions are considered. During the Renaissance, the physician Paracelsus studied the dangers of mining, the Italian physician Ramazzini (XVII century) laid the foundations of professional hygiene. And society's interest in these problems is growing, because behind the term "safety of activity" is a person, and "man is the measure of all things" (philosopher Protagoras, V century BC).

Activity is the process of human interaction with nature and the built environment. The totality of factors affecting a person in the process of activity (labor) in production and in everyday life constitutes the conditions of activity (labor). Moreover, the action of the factors of conditions can be favorable and unfavorable for a person. The impact of a factor that could pose a threat to life or damage to human health is called a hazard. Practice shows that any activity is potentially dangerous. This is an axiom about the potential danger of activity.

The growth of industrial production is accompanied by a continuous increase in the impact of the production environment on the biosphere. It is believed that every 10 ... 12 years the volume of production doubles, respectively, the volume of emissions into the environment also increases: gaseous, solid and liquid, as well as energy. This results in air pollution, water basin and soil.

An analysis of the composition of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere by a machine-building enterprise shows that, in addition to the main pollutants (СО, S0 2 , NO n , C n H m , dust), the emissions contain toxic compounds that have a significant negative impact on the environment. The concentration of harmful substances in ventilation emissions is low, but total significant harmful substances. Emissions are produced with variable frequency and intensity, but due to the low height of the release, dispersal and poor purification, they greatly pollute the air on the territory of enterprises. At small width sanitary protection zone, there are difficulties in ensuring clean air in residential areas. A significant contribution to air pollution is made by the power plants of the enterprise. They emit CO 2 , CO, soot, hydrocarbons, SO 2 , S0 3 PbO, ash and particles of unburned solid fuel into the atmosphere.

The noise generated by an industrial enterprise should not exceed the maximum allowable spectra. At enterprises, mechanisms that are a source of infrasound (internal combustion engines, fans, compressors, etc.) can operate. Permissible sound pressure levels of infrasound are established by sanitary standards.

Technological impact equipment (hammers, presses), powerful pumps and compressors, engines are sources of vibrations in the environment. Vibrations propagate along the ground and can reach the foundations of public and residential buildings.

Test questions:

1. How are energy sources divided?

2. What energy sources are natural?

3. What are the physical hazards and harmful factors?

4. How are chemical hazardous and harmful factors?

5. What do biological factors include?

6. What are the consequences of atmospheric air pollution by various harmful substances?

7. What is the number of impurities emitted by natural sources?

8. What sources create the main anthropogenic air pollution?

9. What are the most common toxic substances polluting the atmosphere?

10. What is smog?

11. What types of smog are distinguished?

12. What causes acid rain?

13. What causes the destruction of the ozone layer?

14. What are the sources of pollution of the hydrosphere?

15. What are the sources of pollution of the lithosphere?

16. What is a surfactant?

17. What is the source of vibration in the urban environment and residential buildings?

18. What level can sound reach on city highways and in the areas adjacent to them?