2. CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
AIR
COMPONENTS OF AIR
AIR POLLUTION
CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
PREVENTION OF AIR POLLUTION
ACID RAIN
WHY LIFE IS POSSIBLE ONLY ON EARTH AND NOT ON OTHER
PLANET ?
3. INTRODUCTION
Natural resources are resources that exist without any actions of humankind.
This includes all valued characteristics such as commercial and industrial use,
aesthetic value, scientific interest and cultural value. On Earth, it includes
sunlight, atmosphere, water, land (includes all minerals) along with all
vegetation, and animal life.
Natural resources may be further classified in different ways. Natural
resources are materials and components (something that can be used) that
can be found within the environment. Every man-made product is composed
of natural resources (at its fundamental level). A natural resource may exist
as a separate entity such as fresh water, air, as well as any living organism
such as a fish, or it may exist in an alternate form that must be processed to
obtain the resource such as metal ores, rare-earth elements, petroleum, and
most forms of energy.
4. AIR
Air refers to the Earth's atmosphere. Air is a mixture of many gases and tiny dust particles.
It is the clear gas in which living things live and breathe. It has an indefinite shape and
volume. It has mass and weight, because it is matter. The weight of air creates atmospheric
pressure. There is no air in outer space.
Animals live and need to breathe the oxygen in the air. In breathing, the lungs put oxygen
into the blood, and send back carbon dioxide to the air. Plants need the carbon dioxide in
the air to live. They give off the oxygen that we breathe. Wind is moving air. This causes
weather.
Air can be polluted by some gases (such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen
oxides), smoke, and ash. This air pollution causes various problems including smog, acid
rain and global warming. It can damage people's health and the environment.
5. COMPONENTS OF AIR
The composition of air consists of three main components of air, namely Nitrogen
(78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (1%), Carbon-dioxide (0.03%) and water vapor.
Air also has some other gases but they are in very less percentage
Oxygen
The most important gas in the composition is oxygen. Oxygen is an important
gas, both for humans as well as the atmosphere. The composition of oxygen in the
air is about 21% .
Nitrogen
It occupies the highest percentage of air. Nitrogen is also one of the most
abundantly found gases on earth.The composition of nitrogen in the air is about
78%
Argon
This gas is known to occur naturally in the environment . The composition of
argon in the air is about 1%
6. Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is infused in the air due to respiration. Living beings inhale oxygen
and exhale carbon dioxide. The composition of carbon dioxide in the air is about
0.03%.
Water vapor
When the water present in the water bodies evaporates due to heat, it rises up and
mixes into the atmosphere. As we come closer to sea, the level of humidity rises. This
is because the amount of water vapor is more near seaside areas.
Other Particles
Apart from the natural gases, air also contains things like smoke and dust. The
closer you are to the city, the amount of these particles in the air increases.
7. AIR POLLUTION
The presence of harmful substances in the air leads to pollution of the air. It can
severely affect the health of living organisms and the quality of the environment.
The increase in the content of harmful substances in the air is called air
pollution.
Fossil fuels like coal and petroleum contain small amounts of nitrogen and
sulphur. When these fuels are burnt, it release oxides of sulphur and nitrogen
These oxides dissolve in rain and causes acid rain.
Burning of fossil fuels also release unburnt carbon particles which reduces
visibility. During cold weather along with condensed water it forms smog.
Regular breathing air containing these harmful substances causes
allergies,cancer, heart diseases etc.
Air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car emissions,
chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be suspended as
particles.
8. CAUSES OF AIR POLLUTION
Burning of Fossil Fuels
The combustion of fossil fuels emits a large amount of sulphur dioxide. Carbon monoxide
released by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels also results in air pollution.
Automobile
The gases emitted from vehicles such as jeeps, trucks, cars, buses, etc. pollute the
environment. These are the major sources of greenhouse gases and also result in diseases
among individuals.
Agricultural Activities
Ammonia is one of the most hazardous gases emitted during agricultural activities. The
insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers emit harmful chemicals in the atmosphere and
contaminate it.
Factories and Industries
Factories and industries are the main source of carbon monoxide, organic compounds,
hydrocarbons and chemicals. These are released into the air, degrading its quality.
9. Mining Activities
In the mining process, the minerals below the earth are extracted using large
pieces of equipment. The dust and chemicals released during the process not
only pollute the air, but also affect the health of the workers and people living in
the nearby areas.
Domestic Sources
The household cleaning products and paints contain toxic chemicals that are
released in the air. The smell from the newly painted walls is the smell of the
chemicals present in the paints. It not only pollutes the air but also affects
breathing.
10. HARMFUL EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION
• Diseases
Air pollution has resulted in several respiratory disorders and heart diseases among
humans. The cases of lung cancer have increased in the last few decades. Children living
near polluted areas are more prone to pneumonia and asthma. Many people die every
year due to the direct or indirect effects of air pollution.
• Global Warming
Due to the emission of greenhouse gases, there is an imbalance in the gaseous
composition of the air. This has led to an increase in the temperature of the earth. This
increase in earth’s temperature is known as global warming. This has resulted in the
melting of glacier and an increase in sea levels. Many areas are submerged underwater.
11. Acid Rain
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur
oxides in the air. The water droplets combine with these pollutants, become acidic and fall
as acid rain which damages human, animal and plant life.
Ozone Layer Depletion
The release major cause of depletion of the ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer
does not prevent the harmful ultraviolet rays coming from the sun and causes skin
diseases and eye problems among individuals.
Effect on Animals
The air pollutants suspend on the water bodies and affect the aquatic life. Pollution also
compels the animals to leave their habitat and shift to a new place. This renders them
stray and has also led to the extinction of a large number of animal species.
12. Prevention of air pollution
1. Using public transports
Using public transport is a sure short way of contributing to less air pollution as it provides
with less gas and energy, even carpools contribute to it. In addition to less release of fuels
and gas, using a public transport can also help in saving money.
2. Turn off the lights
The energy that the lights take also contribute to air pollution, thus less consumption of
electricity can save energy. Use energy saving fluorescent lights to help the environment.
3. Recycle and Reuse
The concept of recycle and reuse is no just conserve resources and use them judicially but
also is helpful for air pollution as it helps in reducing pollution emissions. The recycled
products also take less power to make other products.
4. No to plastic bags
The use of plastic products could be very harmful to the environment as they take a very
long time to decompose, due to their material made up of oil. The use of paper bags instead
is a better alternative as they decompose easily and are recyclable.
13. 5. Use of fans instead of Air Conditioner
The usage of AC’s takes a lot of energy and emits a lot of heat which is bad for the
environment. AC’s also take a lot of power and energy to work as compared to fans.
6. Use filters for chimneys
The gas that is emitted from fireplaces in homes and factories are extremely dangerous
for air pollution and harms the air quality severely. The use of filters should be used at
least if the consumption couldn’t be lessened, this will help to reduce the effect of harmful
gases absorbing in the air.
7. Avoid usage of crackers
The use of crackers during festivals and weddings is sadly one of the biggest contributors
to air pollution, leading to a layer of smog which is extremely harmful for health. So,
practice of no crackers should be implemented.
14. acid rain
Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic ,
means that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions (low pH). It can have
harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure. Acid rain is
caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with
the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
Some governments have made efforts since the 1970s to reduce the release of
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere with positive results.
Nitrogen oxides can also be produced naturally by lightning strikes, and
sulfur dioxide is produced by volcanic eruptions.
Acid rain has been shown to have adverse impacts on forests, freshwaters,
and soils, killing insect and aquatic life-forms, causing paint to peel, corrosion
of steel structures such as bridges, and weathering of stone buildings and
statues as well as having impacts on human health.
15. Why life is only possible on earth and not on any other planet
?
16. ANSWER : Life is only found on earth for a couple of reasons . We know that life
requires moderate temperature , water , and certain chemical elements like
carbon, oxygen ,and nitrogen . No other planet has temperatures like earth that
are not too hot and not too cold . Also , no other planet has water like Earth has.
Scientists have found that other planets have ice but no liquid water . Finally,
Earth has the right mix of chemicals that are required for life.