Air pollution

The process of pollution of the atmosphere continues not for the first millennium, but never before it was not as intense as in the last decades. The only influence that a person once exerted on the atmosphere, causing air pollution , is the use of fire. Because of this, the walls of the dwelling suffered and it became difficult to breathe indoors, but the warmth that gave people the flame was much more important. Even when ancient people concentrated in large groups, this did not pose a threat to the atmosphere. So it was until the nineteenth century. And in the last hundred years, such technological processes have spread, which a man could not even imagine. And what about the uncontrolled growth of millionaires, which is no longer possible to stop. Pollution of atmospheric air is, of course, the result of people's activities.

There are three categories of sources of atmospheric pollution: industrial, domestic, transport. In different parts of the earth the share of each species is very different. In general, the greatest harm is brought by industry.

Thermal power plants together with smoke emit carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, enterprises processing black and especially non-ferrous metals throw out nitrogen oxides, chlorine, ammonia, fluorine, hydrogen sulphide, phosphorus, mercury particles. Cement and chemical plants are also a source of pollution. The harmful gases generated from the combustion of various fuels for industry, home heating, transport operation, waste recycling are also causes of air pollution .

By themselves, pollution is primary and secondary. The first immediately enter the atmosphere, and the latter are formed as a result of the transformation and splitting of primary pollutants. For example, sulfur dioxide is converted to sulfuric anhydride, which interacts with water vapor and forms droplets of sulfuric acid. If sulfuric anhydride reacts chemically with ammonia, ammonium sulfate is isolated in the form of crystals.

The danger to the atmosphere is pyrogenic sources that cause air pollution - enterprises of the chemical and metallurgical industry, thermal power plants, boiler plants. As a result of their activities, the following harmful substances are released :

- Carbon monoxide. It is formed when its compounds are not completely burned. In the air, it leaves after the combustion of solid waste, with exhausts and emissions of enterprises. Carbon monoxide actively reacts with many elements of the atmosphere and gradually contributes to the growth of temperature on the entire planet.

- Sulphurous anhydride. This substance is the result of burning fuel, which includes sulfur, as well as processing it in the form of ore.

- Sulfuric anhydride is the result of oxidation of the above substance. It is absorbed into the soil with rainwater, acidifying it.

Air pollution causes cosmic dust, which is released after the combustion of meteorites passing in the atmosphere. Every year, a lot of "garbage" from space settles on the ground - up to five million tons. Dust from the Earth is part of the atmosphere, its main sources are steppes and deserts, volcanoes, mold fungi, products of decay and decomposition of plants and animals.

The air above the surface of the oceans contains small particles of sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium salts that appear after the water spray dries.

It should be noted that natural air pollution does not threaten negative consequences for any biocenosis and living organisms, however, a short-term negative influence is not excluded.

Dust in the atmosphere provokes an early accumulation of condensate and, as a result, sediments form more quickly. It also significantly reduces the penetration of solar radiation, protecting living organisms.