Threats%20to%20the%20Biosphere

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Threats to the Biosphere

• Biology

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Biosphere

• The outer portion of Earth where all living
  organisms exist - deepest ocean trench up into
  atmosphere

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Since Industrial RevolutionEarths global
temperature is now at hottest point in 13,000
years

• What is this increase in temperature called?
• What is the name of this phenomenon?
• NOAA data 2010 link

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• Global Warming is caused by the Greenhouse Effect
• We now call global warming- CLIMATE CHANGE

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Greenhouse gases

• Water Vapor H20
• Carbon Dioxide CO2
• Methane CH4
• Nitrous Oxide NOx
• Fluorocarbons CFCs (part of Haloalkanes)
• Ozone O3
• Which one above is the cause of global warming?
  ------?

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• Water Vapor H20 same levels
• Carbon Dioxide CO2 increased
• Methane CH4 doubled since 1800
• Nitrous Oxide NOx increased
• Fluorocarbons CFCs now banned
• Ozone (STRATOSPHERIC) DROPPED

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Evidence of stratospheric Ozone Depletion

• link to ozone depletion movie

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Depletion of Ozone Layer

• O3 is naturally occurring in Stratosphere
• Protects us from UV-B radiation
• Often called good ozone

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good Ozone is depleted by CFCs

• Chlorofluorocarbons
• Used in older air conditioners, refrigerators,
  and in industry

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Tropospheric Ozone

• bad ozone Formed from Nitrous oxide (found in
  automobile exhaust) and VOCs
• Unhealthy for many people
• EPA issues ozone alerts for large cities
• Link to EPA Air Now current air quality map

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Sources of NOx and VOC
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Acid Rain

• Rain is typically 5.0pH in Wisconsin, anything
  less than 5.4pH, we call it acid rain
• Where is acid rain a problem in U.S.?
• What causes Acid Rain?

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Map of US acid rain deposition
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Illustration of acid rain production
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Is there a chemical that is a common source of
most threats to the Biosphere?

• Hint it is found in vehicle exhaust
• Nitrous oxides (NOx)

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What can each of us do?

• Car pool, walk, ride bikes, use public
  transportation, reduce, use less, change light
  bulbs to fluorescent or LED, use wind, solar,
  renewable fuels, drive smaller cars if possible,
  elect politicians that support global
  environmental policies

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Current Arctic ice data

• Data shows a continual reduction in Arctic Ice in
  recent years
• pp showing ice loss from 1979-2007
• NASA daily arctic ice data (ice movement) from
  2005-2006
• NOAA model projections from 1900 through 2100