EnvironmentalImpactoftheIndustrialRevolution.docxVIP

Environmental Impact of the Industrial Revolution Progress Production, Profit, Pollution Industrial RevolutionProduction and Profit Massive increase in energy use from burning fossil fuels. Agrarian to industry-based economy Rapid and large increase in production of goods Sustained population growth with movement from farm to urban centers Improvements in transportation, agriculture Increase the standard of living /features/industrial_revolution/index.html Industrial RevolutionPollution Air pollution Water pollution Global warming Acid rain Deforestation Ecosystem destruction Overview THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION?by Craig Benjamin /downloads/dept/enviro_impact_of_ir.ppt Air Pollution Particulates from burning fuel and from volcanoes [today also: power plants, auto emissions] Gas emissions from burning fuel and from volcanoes [today also: power plants, auto emissions, industry] CO2: from combustion of fossil fuels by motor vehicles, power plants SO2: from burning fossil fuels, esp coal (90%), volcanoes, wildfires NO, NO2: from burning fossil fuels, esp coal [CFC (chlorofluorocarbons): now mostly banned] Detrimental Impact of Air Pollution Production of acid rain Respiratory problems and disease in humans (1952 great London smog killed 4000) Chemical corrosion of buildings and statues Stresses plants (smog reduces sunlight and therefore photosynthesis) and animals Acid and pH Acids donate H+(aq) ions in water. The more H+(aq) ions present, the more acidic. pH is a measure on the strength of the acid. The pH range is 1-14 with pH 7 being neutral. Unpolluted rain has pH 5.2-5.3 (slightly acidic; the pH of coffee is @4.8) due to the presence of CO2. The pH of acid rain has been measured as low as 2.4. Acid Rain Precipitation (rain, snow) that contains acids formed from the reaction of human generated air pollutants, oxygen and water. SO2 (g) + ? O2 (g) + H2O(g) ? H2SO4 2NO2 (g) + ? O2 (g) + H2O(g) ? 2HNO3 2NO (g) + 3/2 O2 (g