The consequences of atmospheric air pollution include the dead areas of assimilation tissues shown in the figure, which are called. Main air pollutants

10.04.2020

OUTLINE: Introduction1. The atmosphere is the outer shell of the biosphere2. Atmospheric pollution3. Environmental consequences of atmospheric pollution7

3.1 Greenhouse effect

3.2 Ozone depletion

3 Acid rain

Conclusion

List of used sourcesIntroductionAtmospheric 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 activities 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 ecological problems 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 of the territory (the 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 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 are now like an avalanche hitting 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 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 has an impact on local climatic conditions, and through them - on the regime of rivers, soil and vegetation cover and the processes of relief formation.

The modern gas composition of the atmosphere is the result of a long historical development of 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 (neon, helium, krypton, xenon), ammonia, methane, ozone, sulfur dioxide and other gases. Along with gases, the atmosphere contains solid particles coming from the Earth's surface (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.

Highest value for different ecosystems have three gases that make up the atmosphere: 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, 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 attribute this to human activity.

The oxygen cycle in the biosphere is extremely complex, since a large number of organic and inorganic substances and hydrogen, which combines with oxygen to form 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, and participates in various mechanisms of the circulation of substances in nature. Content carbon dioxide in the air we breathe is about the same in different parts of the world. The exception is big 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 increases. 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, however, the majority of living organisms cannot directly use this nitrogen: it must first be bound in the form chemical compounds.

Part of the 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 main part 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 constituents of the air do not participate in biochemical cycles, but the presence of a large amount of pollutants in the atmosphere can lead to serious violations of these cycles.

2. 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 a 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 is 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 on the territory of our country, the total area of forests affected by industrial emissions has reached 1 million hectares. Pollution is a significant factor in forest degradation in recent years. environment 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.

3. Environmental effects of atmospheric pollution

The most important environmental consequences of global air pollution include:

1) possible climate warming (“greenhouse effect”);

2) violation of the ozone layer;

3) acid rain.

Most scientists in the world consider them as the biggest environmental problems of our time.

3.1 Greenhouse effect

Currently, the observed climate change, which is expressed in a gradual increase in the average annual temperature, starting from the second half of the last century, most scientists associate with the accumulation in the atmosphere of the so-called "greenhouse gases" - carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4), chlorofluorocarbons (freons), ozone (O 3), nitrogen oxides, etc. (see table 9).

Table 9

Anthropogenic atmospheric pollutants and related changes (V.A. Vronsky, 1996)

Note. (+) - increased effect; (-) - decrease in effect

Greenhouse gases, and primarily CO 2 , prevent long-wave thermal radiation from the Earth's surface. An atmosphere rich in greenhouse gases acts like the roof of a greenhouse. On the one hand, it lets in most of the solar radiation, on the other hand, it almost does not let out the heat reradiated by the Earth.

In connection with the burning of more and more fossil fuels: oil, gas, coal, etc. (annually more than 9 billion tons of reference fuel), the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere is constantly increasing. Due to emissions into the atmosphere during industrial production and in everyday life, the content of freons (chlorofluorocarbons) is growing. The content of methane increases by 1-1.5% per year (emissions from underground mine workings, biomass combustion, emissions from cattle, etc.). To a lesser extent, the content of nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere also grows (by 0.3% annually).

A consequence of the increase in the concentrations of these gases, which create a "greenhouse effect", is an increase in the average global air temperature near the earth's surface. Over the past 100 years, the warmest years were 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987 and 1988. In 1988, the average annual temperature was 0.4 degrees higher than in 1950-1980. Calculations by some scientists show that in 2005 it will be 1.3 °C higher than in 1950-1980. The report, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations by the international group on climate change, states that by 2100 the temperature on Earth will increase by 2-4 degrees. The scale of warming over this relatively short term will be comparable to the warming that occurred on Earth after the Ice Age, which means that environmental impact can be catastrophic. First of all, this is due to the expected rise in the level of the World Ocean, due to melting polar ice, reducing the areas of mountain glaciation, etc. Modeling the environmental consequences of an increase in the ocean level by only 0.5-2.0 m by the end of the 21st century, scientists have found that this will inevitably lead to a violation of the climatic than 30 countries, degradation of permafrost, waterlogging of vast areas and other adverse consequences.

However, a number of scientists see positive environmental consequences in the alleged global warming. An increase in the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere and the associated increase in photosynthesis, as well as an increase in climate humidification, can, in their opinion, lead to an increase in the productivity of both natural phytocenoses (forests, meadows, savannahs, etc.) and agrocenoses (cultivated plants, gardens , vineyards, etc.).

There is also no unanimity of opinion on the issue of the degree of influence of greenhouse gases on global climate warming. Thus, the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1992) notes that the 0.3–0.6 °С climate warming observed in the last century could be due mainly to the natural variability of a number of climatic factors.

At an international conference in Toronto (Canada) in 1985, the world's energy industry was tasked with reducing by 2010 by 20% industrial carbon emissions into the atmosphere. But it is obvious that a tangible environmental effect can only be obtained by combining these measures with the global direction of environmental policy - the maximum possible preservation of communities of organisms, natural ecosystems and the entire biosphere of the Earth.

3.2 Ozone depletion

The ozone layer (ozonosphere) covers the entire globe and is located at altitudes from 10 to 50 km with a maximum ozone concentration at an altitude of 20-25 km. The saturation of the atmosphere with ozone is constantly changing in any part of the planet, reaching a maximum in the spring in the subpolar region. For the first time, the depletion of the ozone layer attracted the attention of the general public in 1985, when an area with a low (up to 50%) ozone content was discovered over Antarctica, which was called "ozone hole". WITH Since then, measurement results have confirmed the widespread depletion of the ozone layer on almost the entire planet. For example, in Russia over the past ten years, the concentration of the ozone layer has decreased by 4-6% in winter and by 3% in summer. Currently, the depletion of the ozone layer is recognized by all as a serious threat to global environmental security. A decrease in ozone concentration weakens the ability of the atmosphere to protect all life on Earth from hard ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). Living organisms are very vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation, because the energy of even one photon from these rays is enough to destroy the chemical bonds in most organic molecules. It is no coincidence that in areas with a low ozone content there are numerous sunburns, an increase in the incidence of skin cancer among people, etc. 6 million people. In addition to skin diseases, it is possible to develop eye diseases (cataracts, etc.), suppression of the immune system, etc. It has also been established that under the influence of strong ultraviolet radiation, plants gradually lose their ability to photosynthesize, and disruption of the vital activity of plankton leads to a break in the trophic chains of aquatic biota. ecosystems, etc. Science has not yet fully established what are the main processes that violate the ozone layer. Both natural and anthropogenic origin of "ozone holes" is assumed. The latter, according to most scientists, is more likely and is associated with an increased content chlorofluorocarbons (freons). Freons are widely used in industrial production and in everyday life (cooling units, solvents, sprayers, aerosol packages, etc.). Rising into the atmosphere, freons decompose with the release of chlorine oxide, which has a detrimental effect on ozone molecules. According to the international environmental organization Greenpeace, the main suppliers of chlorofluorocarbons (freons) are the USA - 30.85%, Japan - 12.42%, Great Britain - 8.62% and Russia - 8.0%. The USA punched a "hole" in the ozone layer with an area of 7 million km 2 , Japan - 3 million km 2 , which is seven times larger than the area of Japan itself. Recently in the USA and in a number of Western countries plants were built for the production of new types of refrigerants (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) with a low potential for ozone depletion. According to the Protocol of the Montreal Conference (1990), later revised in London (1991) and Copenhagen (1992), it was envisaged to reduce CFC emissions by 50% by 1998. According to Art. 56 of the Law of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, in accordance with international agreements, all organizations and enterprises are required to reduce and subsequently completely stop the production and use of ozone-depleting substances.

A number of scientists continue to insist on the natural origin of the "ozone hole". Some see the reasons for its occurrence in the natural variability of the ozonosphere, the cyclic activity of the Sun, while others associate these processes with rifting and degassing of the Earth.

3.3 Acid rain

One of the most important environmental problems, which is associated with the oxidation of the natural environment, - acid rain . They are formed during industrial emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which, when combined with atmospheric moisture, form sulfuric and nitric acid. As a result, rain and snow are acidified (pH value below 5.6). In Bavaria (Germany) in August 1981 it rained with acidity pH=3.5. The maximum recorded acidity of precipitation in Western Europe- pH=2.3. The total global anthropogenic emissions of the two main air pollutants - the culprits of atmospheric moisture acidification - SO 2 and NO, are annually - more than 255 million tons. nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) in the form of acidic compounds contained in precipitation. As can be seen from Figure 10, the highest sulfur loads are observed in the densely populated and industrial regions of the country.

Figure 10. Average annual sulfate precipitation kg S/sq. km (2006) [according to the site http://www.sci.aha.ru]

High levels of sulfur precipitation (550-750 kg/sq. km per year) and the amount of nitrogen compounds (370-720 kg/sq. km per year) in the form of large areas (several thousand sq. km) are observed in densely populated and industrial regions of the country. An exception to this rule is the situation around the city of Norilsk, the trace of pollution from which exceeds in area and thickness of precipitation in the zone of pollution deposition in the Moscow region, in the Urals.

On the territory of most subjects of the Federation, the deposition of sulfur and nitrate nitrogen from own sources does not exceed 25% of their total deposition. The contribution of own sulfur sources exceeds this threshold in the Murmansk (70%), Sverdlovsk (64%), Chelyabinsk (50%), Tula and Ryazan (40%) regions and in the Krasnoyarsk Territory (43%).

In general, in the European territory of the country, only 34% of sulfur deposits are of Russian origin. Of the rest, 39% comes from European countries and 27% from other sources. At the same time, Ukraine (367 thousand tons), Poland (86 thousand tons), Germany, Belarus and Estonia make the largest contribution to transboundary acidification of the natural environment.

The situation is especially dangerous in the humid climate zone (from the Ryazan region and to the north in the European part and everywhere in the Urals), since these regions are distinguished by a natural high acidity of natural waters, which, due to these emissions, increases even more. In turn, this leads to a drop in the productivity of water bodies and an increase in the incidence of teeth and intestinal tract in humans.

Over a vast territory, the natural environment is acidified, which has a very negative impact on the state of all ecosystems. It turned out that natural ecosystems are destroyed even at a lower level of air pollution than that which is dangerous for humans. "Lakes and rivers devoid of fish, dying forests - these are the sad consequences of the industrialization of the planet." The danger is, as a rule, not the acid precipitation itself, but the processes occurring under their influence. Under the action of acid precipitation, not only vital nutrients for plants are leached from the soil, but also toxic heavy and light metals - lead, cadmium, aluminum, etc. Subsequently, they themselves or the resulting toxic compounds are absorbed by plants and other soil organisms, which leads to very negative consequences.

The impact of acid rain reduces the resistance of forests to droughts, diseases, and natural pollution, which leads to even more pronounced degradation of forests as natural ecosystems.

A prime example negative impact acid rainfall on natural ecosystems is the acidification of lakes . In our country, the area of significant acidification from acid precipitation reaches several tens of million hectares. Particular cases of acidification of lakes have also been noted (Karelia, etc.). Increased acidity of precipitation is observed along western border(transboundary transfer of sulfur and other pollutants) and on the territory of a number of large industrial regions, as well as fragmentarily on the coast of Taimyr and Yakutia.

Conclusion

The protection of nature is the task of our century, a problem that has become a social one. Again and again we hear about the dangers that threaten the environment, but still many of us consider them an unpleasant, but inevitable product of civilization and believe that we will still have time to cope with all the difficulties that have come to light.

However, human impact on the environment has taken on alarming proportions. Only in the second half of the 20th century, thanks to the development of ecology and the spread of ecological knowledge among the population, it became obvious that humanity is an indispensable part of the biosphere, that the conquest of nature, the uncontrolled use of its resources and environmental pollution is a dead end in the development of civilization and in the evolution of man himself. Therefore, the most important condition for the development of mankind is a careful attitude to nature, comprehensive care for the rational use and restoration of its resources, and the preservation of a favorable environment.

However, many do not understand the close relationship between human economic activity and the state of the natural environment.

Broad environmental and environmental education should help people to acquire such environmental knowledge and ethical norms and values, attitudes and lifestyles that are necessary for the sustainable development of nature and society. To fundamentally improve the situation, purposeful and thoughtful actions will be needed. Responsible and efficient environmental policy will only be possible if we accumulate reliable data on state of the art environment, substantiated knowledge about the interaction of important environmental factors, if it develops new methods to reduce and prevent harm caused to Nature by Man.

Bibliography

1. Akimova T. A., Khaskin V. V. Ecology. Moscow: Unity, 2000.

2. Bezuglaya E.Yu., Zavadskaya E.K. Influence of air pollution on public health. St. Petersburg: Gidrometeoizdat, 1998, pp. 171–199. 3. Galperin M. V. Ecology and basics of nature management. Moscow: Forum-Infra-m, 2003.4. Danilov-Danilyan V.I. Ecology, nature protection and ecological safety. M.: MNEPU, 1997.5. Climatic characteristics of the conditions for the propagation of impurities in the atmosphere. Reference manual / Ed. E.Yu. Bezuglaya and M.E. Berlyand. - Leningrad, Gidrometeoizdat, 1983. 6. Korobkin V. I., Peredelsky L. V. Ecology. Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 2003.7. Protasov V.F. Ecology, health and environmental protection in Russia. M.: Finance and statistics, 1999.8. Wark K., Warner S., Air pollution. Sources and control, trans. from English, M. 1980. 9. Ecological state of the territory of Russia: Tutorial for students of higher ped. educational institutions/ V.P. Bondarev, L.D. Dolgushin, B.S. Zalogin and others; Ed. S.A. Ushakova, Ya.G. Katz - 2nd ed. M.: Academy, 2004.10. List and codes of substances polluting the atmospheric air. Ed. 6th. SPb., 2005, 290 p.11. Yearbook of the state of air pollution in cities in Russia. 2004.– M.: Meteo agency, 2006, 216 p.

Outdoor air pollution

Atmospheric air pollution should be understood as any change in its composition and properties that has a negative impact on human and animal health, the state of plants and ecosystems.

Atmospheric pollution can be natural (natural) and anthropogenic (technogenic).

natural pollution air is caused by natural processes. These include volcanic activity, weathering of rocks, wind erosion, mass flowering of plants, smoke from forest and steppe fires, etc. Anthropogenic pollution associated with the release of various pollutants in the process of human activity. In terms of its scale, it significantly exceeds natural air pollution.

Depending on the extent of distribution, there are different types atmospheric pollution: local, regional and global. local pollution is characterized by an increased content of pollutants in small areas (city, industrial area, agricultural zone, etc.). regional pollution significant areas are involved in the sphere of negative impact, but not the entire planet. Global pollution associated with changes in the state of the atmosphere as a whole.

According to the state of aggregation, emissions harmful substances atmosphere are classified into:

1) gaseous (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc.)

2) liquid (acids, alkalis, salt solutions, etc.);

3) solid (carcinogenic substances, lead and its compounds, organic and inorganic dust, soot, tarry substances, etc.).

The most dangerous pollution of the atmosphere is radioactive. At present, it is mainly due to globally distributed long-lived radioactive isotopes - test products nuclear weapons conducted in the atmosphere and underground. The surface layer of the atmosphere is also polluted by emissions of radioactive substances into the atmosphere from operating nuclear power plants during their normal operation and other sources.

Another form of atmospheric pollution is local excess heat input from anthropogenic sources. A sign of thermal (thermal) pollution of the atmosphere is the so-called thermal tones, for example, a “heat island” in cities, warming of water bodies, etc.

In general, judging by official data for 1997-1999, the level of atmospheric air pollution in our country, especially in Russian cities, remains high, despite a significant decline in production, which is associated primarily with an increase in the number of cars, including - faulty.

Environmental effects of atmospheric pollution

Air pollution affects human health and the natural environment in various ways - from a direct and immediate threat (smog, etc.) to a slow and gradual destruction various systems life support of the body. In many cases, air pollution disrupts the structural components of the ecosystem to such an extent that regulatory processes are unable to return them to their original state, and as a result, the homeostasis mechanism does not work.

First, consider how it affects the environment local (local) pollution atmosphere, and then global.

Physiological effect on human body major pollutants (pollutants) is fraught with the most serious consequences. Thus, sulfur dioxide combines with moisture to form sulfuric acid, which destroys the lung tissue of humans and animals. This relationship is especially clearly seen in the analysis of childhood pulmonary pathology and the degree of sulfur dioxide concentration in the atmosphere of large cities.

Dust containing silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) causes severe lung disease - silicosis. Nitrogen oxides irritate and, in severe cases, corrode mucous membranes, for example, eyes, lungs, participate in the formation of poisonous mists, etc. They are especially dangerous if they are contained in polluted air together with sulfur dioxide and other toxic compounds. In these cases, even at low concentrations of pollutants, a synergistic effect occurs, i.e., an increase in the toxicity of the entire gaseous mixture.

The effect of carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) on the human body is widely known. In acute poisoning, general weakness, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, loss of consciousness appear, and death is possible (even after three to seven days). However, due to the low concentration of CO in the atmospheric air, as a rule, it does not cause mass poisoning, although it is very dangerous for people suffering from anemia and cardiovascular diseases.

Among the suspended solid particles, the most dangerous particles are less than 5 microns in size, which can penetrate the lymph nodes, linger in the alveoli of the lungs, and clog the mucous membranes.

Anabiosis- temporary suspension of all vital processes.

Very unfavorable consequences that can affect a huge time interval are also associated with such minor emissions as lead, benzo (a) pyrene, phosphorus, cadmium, arsenic, cobalt, etc. They depress the hematopoietic system, cause oncological diseases, reduce the body's resistance to infections, etc. Dust containing lead and mercury compounds has mutagenic properties and causes genetic changes in the cells of the body.

The consequences of exposure to the human body of harmful substances contained in the exhaust gases of cars are very serious and have the widest range of action:

London type of smog occurs in winter in large industrial cities under adverse weather conditions (lack of wind and temperature inversion). Temperature inversion manifests itself in an increase in air temperature with height in a certain layer of the atmosphere (usually in the range of 300-400 m from the earth's surface) instead of the usual decrease. As a result, atmospheric air circulation is severely disrupted, smoke and pollutants cannot rise up and are not dispersed. Often there are fogs. Concentrations of sulfur oxides, suspended dust, carbon monoxide reach dangerous levels for human health, lead to circulatory and respiratory disorders, and often to death.

Los Angeles type of smog or photochemical smog, no less dangerous than London. It occurs in the summer with intense exposure to solar radiation on air saturated, or rather supersaturated with car exhaust gases.

Anthropogenic emissions of pollutants in high concentrations and for a long time cause great harm not only to humans, but also negatively affect animals, the state of plants and ecosystems as a whole.

Ecological literature describes cases of mass poisoning of wild animals, birds, and insects due to emissions of harmful pollutants of high concentration (especially salvos). Thus, for example, it has been established that when certain toxic types of dust settle on melliferous plants, a noticeable increase in the mortality of bees is observed. As for large animals, the poisonous dust in the atmosphere affects them mainly through the respiratory organs, as well as entering the body along with the dusty plants eaten.

Toxic substances enter plants in various ways. It has been established that emissions of harmful substances act both directly on the green parts of plants, getting through the stomata into tissues, destroying chlorophyll and cell structure, and through the soil to the root system. So, for example, soil contamination with dust of toxic metals, especially in combination with sulfuric acid, has a detrimental effect on the root system, and through it on the whole plant.

Gaseous pollutants affect vegetation in different ways. Some only slightly damage leaves, needles, shoots (carbon monoxide, ethylene, etc.), others have a detrimental effect on plants (sulfur dioxide, chlorine, mercury vapor, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, etc.) Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), under the influence of which many trees die, and first of all conifers - pines, spruces, firs, cedars.

As a result of the impact of highly toxic pollutants on plants, there is a slowdown in their growth, the formation of necrosis at the ends of leaves and needles, failure of assimilation organs, etc. An increase in the surface of damaged leaves can lead to a decrease in moisture consumption from the soil, its general waterlogging, which will inevitably affect in her habitat.

Can vegetation recover after exposure to harmful pollutants is reduced? This will largely depend on the restoring capacity of the remaining green mass and the general condition of natural ecosystems. At the same time, it should be noted that low concentrations of individual pollutants not only do not harm plants, but, like cadmium salt, for example, stimulate seed germination, wood growth, and the growth of some plant organs.

Introduction

1. Atmosphere - the outer shell of the biosphere

2. Air pollution

3. Ecological 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 of the Russian Federation and the 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 of the territory (the 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 are now like an avalanche hitting 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 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.

The modern atmosphere contains hardly a twentieth of the oxygen available on our planet. The main reserves of oxygen are concentrated in carbonates, 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 has been observed in recent years. Most scientists attribute this to human activity.

The oxygen cycle in the biosphere is extremely complex, since a large number of organic and inorganic substances, as well as hydrogen, react with it, 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, and participates in various mechanisms of the circulation of substances in nature. The content of carbon dioxide in the air we breathe is about 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.

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

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

2. 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.

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

Only on the territory of our country, the total area of forests affected by industrial emissions has 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.

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 ecological disasters. Humanity has already encountered them in a number of regions of the planet.

3. Environmental effects of atmospheric pollution

The most important environmental consequences of global air pollution include:

1) possible climate warming (“greenhouse effect”);

2) violation of the ozone layer;

3) acid rain.

Most scientists in the world consider them as the biggest environmental problems of our time.

3.1 Greenhouse effect

Table 9

Anthropogenic atmospheric pollutants and related changes (V.A. Vronsky, 1996)

Note. (+) - increased effect; (-) - decrease in effect

A consequence of the increase in the concentrations of these gases, which create a "greenhouse effect", is an increase in the average global air temperature near the earth's surface. Over the past 100 years, the warmest years were 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987 and 1988. In 1988, the average annual temperature was 0.4 degrees higher than in 1950-1980. Calculations by some scientists show that in 2005 it will be 1.3 °C higher than in 1950-1980. The report, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations by the international group on climate change, states that by 2100 the temperature on Earth will increase by 2-4 degrees. The scale of warming in this relatively short period will be comparable to the warming that occurred on Earth after the Ice Age, which means that the environmental consequences can be catastrophic. First of all, this is due to the expected rise in the level of the World Ocean, due to the melting of polar ice, the reduction in the areas of mountain glaciation, etc. Modeling the environmental consequences of an increase in ocean level by only 0.5-2.0 m by the end of the 21st century, scientists have found that this will inevitably lead to a violation of the climatic balance, flooding of coastal plains in more than 30 countries, degradation of permafrost, swamping of vast territories and other adverse consequences.

3.2 Ozone depletion

The ozone layer (ozonosphere) covers the entire globe and is located at altitudes from 10 to 50 km with a maximum ozone concentration at an altitude of 20-25 km. The saturation of the atmosphere with ozone is constantly changing in any part of the planet, reaching a maximum in the spring in the subpolar region. For the first time, the depletion of the ozone layer attracted the attention of the general public in 1985, when an area with a low (up to 50%) ozone content was discovered over Antarctica, which was called "ozone hole". WITH Since then, measurement results have confirmed the widespread depletion of the ozone layer on almost the entire planet. For example, in Russia over the past ten years, the concentration of the ozone layer has decreased by 4-6% in winter and by 3% in summer. Currently, the depletion of the ozone layer is recognized by all as a serious threat to global environmental security. A decrease in ozone concentration weakens the ability of the atmosphere to protect all life on Earth from hard ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). Living organisms are very vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation, because the energy of even one photon from these rays is enough to destroy the chemical bonds in most organic molecules. It is no coincidence that in areas with a low ozone content there are numerous sunburns, an increase in the incidence of skin cancer among people, etc. 6 million people. In addition to skin diseases, it is possible to develop eye diseases (cataracts, etc.), suppression of the immune system, etc. It has also been established that under the influence of strong ultraviolet radiation, plants gradually lose their ability to photosynthesize, and disruption of the vital activity of plankton leads to a break in the trophic chains of aquatic biota. ecosystems, etc. Science has not yet fully established what are the main processes that violate the ozone layer. Both natural and anthropogenic origin of "ozone holes" is assumed. The latter, according to most scientists, is more likely and is associated with an increased content chlorofluorocarbons (freons). Freons are widely used in industrial production and in everyday life (cooling units, solvents, sprayers, aerosol packages, etc.). Rising into the atmosphere, freons decompose with the release of chlorine oxide, which has a detrimental effect on ozone molecules. According to the international environmental organization Greenpeace, the main suppliers of chlorofluorocarbons (freons) are the USA - 30.85%, Japan - 12.42%, Great Britain - 8.62% and Russia - 8.0%. The USA punched a "hole" in the ozone layer with an area of 7 million km 2 , Japan - 3 million km 2 , which is seven times larger than the area of Japan itself. Recently, factories have been built in the USA and in a number of Western countries for the production of new types of refrigerants (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) with a low potential for ozone depletion. According to the Protocol of the Montreal Conference (1990), later revised in London (1991) and Copenhagen (1992), it was envisaged to reduce CFC emissions by 50% by 1998. According to Art. 56 of the Law of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, in accordance with international agreements, all organizations and enterprises are required to reduce and subsequently completely stop the production and use of ozone-depleting substances.

3.3 Acid rain

One of the most important environmental problems, which is associated with the oxidation of the natural environment, - acid rain. They are formed during industrial emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which, when combined with atmospheric moisture, form sulfuric and nitric acids. As a result, rain and snow are acidified (pH value below 5.6). In Bavaria (Germany) in August 1981 it rained with acidity pH=3.5. The maximum recorded acidity of precipitation in Western Europe is pH=2.3. The total global anthropogenic emissions of the two main air pollutants - the culprits of atmospheric moisture acidification - SO 2 and NO, are annually - more than 255 million tons. nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) in the form of acidic compounds contained in precipitation. As can be seen from Figure 10, the highest sulfur loads are observed in the densely populated and industrial regions of the country.

Figure 10. Average annual sulfate precipitation kg S/sq. km (2006) [according to the site http://www.sci.aha.ru]

The impact of acid rain reduces the resistance of forests to droughts, diseases, and natural pollution, which leads to even more pronounced degradation of forests as natural ecosystems.

A striking example of the negative impact of acid precipitation on natural ecosystems is the acidification of lakes. . In our country, the area of significant acidification from acid precipitation reaches several tens of million hectares. Particular cases of acidification of lakes have also been noted (Karelia, etc.). Increased acidity of precipitation is observed along the western border (transboundary transport of sulfur and other pollutants) and on the territory of a number of large industrial regions, as well as fragmentarily on the coast of Taimyr and Yakutia.

Conclusion

However, many do not understand the close relationship between human economic activity and the state of the natural environment.

Broad environmental and environmental education should help people to acquire such environmental knowledge and ethical norms and values, attitudes and lifestyles that are necessary for the sustainable development of nature and society. To fundamentally improve the situation, purposeful and thoughtful actions will be needed. A responsible and efficient policy towards the environment will be possible only if we accumulate reliable data on the current state of the environment, substantiated knowledge about the interaction of important environmental factors, if we develop new methods to reduce and prevent the harm caused to Nature by Man.

Bibliography

1. Akimova T. A., Khaskin V. V. Ecology. Moscow: Unity, 2000.

2. Bezuglaya E.Yu., Zavadskaya E.K. Influence of air pollution on public health. St. Petersburg: Gidrometeoizdat, 1998, pp. 171–199.

3. Galperin M. V. Ecology and basics of nature management. Moscow: Forum-Infra-m, 2003.

4. Danilov-Danilyan V.I. Ecology, nature protection and ecological safety. M.: MNEPU, 1997.

5. Climatic characteristics of the conditions for the propagation of impurities in the atmosphere. Reference manual / Ed. E.Yu. Bezuglaya and M.E. Berlyand. - Leningrad, Gidrometeoizdat, 1983.

6. Korobkin V. I., Peredelsky L. V. Ecology. Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 2003.

7. Protasov V.F. Ecology, health and environmental protection in Russia. M.: Finance and statistics, 1999.

8. Wark K., Warner S., Air pollution. Sources and control, trans. from English, M. 1980.

9. Ecological state of the territory of Russia: Textbook for students of higher education. ped. Educational institutions / V.P. Bondarev, L.D. Dolgushin, B.S. Zalogin and others; Ed. S.A. Ushakova, Ya.G. Katz - 2nd ed. M.: Academy, 2004.

10. List and codes of substances polluting the atmospheric air. Ed. 6th. SPb., 2005, 290 p.

11. Yearbook of the state of atmospheric pollution in cities in Russia. 2004.– M.: Meteo agency, 2006, 216 p.

More from the Ecology section:

Abstract: Technology of reclamation of oil-contaminated surfaces of non-drained peat bogs
Abstract: Natural reserve fund of the village of Bereznyaki, Smilyansky district
Course work: Prevention and liquidation of oil spills during the operation of the Mokhtikovskoye field of OAO Mokhtikneft

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 Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution came into being in Geneva. The first international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas 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 of acid rain 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.
Radioactive substances, accumulating in the body, cause cancer, gene changes, infertility, and premature death.

Air containing heavy metals poses a particular danger to human health. Pollutants such as cadmium, lead, arsenic lead to oncology. Inhaled mercury vapor does not act with lightning speed, but, being deposited in the form of salts, destroy 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, the air contains waste products of 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);
thermal power plants, residential heating with coal and wood;
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%. High degree air pollution differ regions with indicators: SI - 5-10, API - 7-13, NP - 20-50%. Very high level atmospheric pollution is observed in Chita, Ulan-Ude, Magnitogorsk and Beloyarsk.

Cities and countries of the world with the dirtiest air

In May 2016, the World Health Organization published annual rating cities with the most dirty air. The leader of the list was the Iranian Zabol - a city in the south-east of the country, regularly suffering 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 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. A vivid example of this is Japan, which survived a radiation accident in 2011.

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

China. In some regions of the country, the level of air pollution exceeds the norm by 56 times.
India. The largest state of Hindustan leads in the number of cities with the worst ecology.
SOUTH AFRICA. The country's economy is dominated by heavy industry, which is also the main source of pollution.
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.
Indonesia suffers not only from industrial emissions, but also from forest fires.
Japan. The country, despite the widespread landscaping and the use of scientific and technological achievements in the environmental field, regularly faces the problem of acid rain and smog.
Libya. The main source of environmental troubles of the North African state is the oil industry.

Consequences

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 the countries of Southeast 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 the human habitat, such rains and fogs also pose a threat: acidic water corrodes pipes, cars, building facades, 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 of the greenhouse effect is climate warming, which has been observed over the past sixty years.

Weather conditions are also significantly affected by “ozone holes” formed under the influence of bromine, chlorine, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Apart from 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 of marine flora and fauna, an increase in the number of oncological diseases.

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.

Under atmospheric air understand a vital component of the environment, which is a natural mixture of atmospheric gases and located outside residential, industrial and other premises (Law of the Russian Federation "On the Protection of Atmospheric Air" of 02.04.99). The thickness of the air shell that surrounds the globe is not less than a thousand kilometers - almost a quarter of the earth's radius. Air is essential for all life on earth. A person daily consumes 12-15 kg of air, inhaling every minute from 5 to 100 liters, which significantly exceeds the average daily need for food and water. The atmosphere determines the light and regulates the thermal regimes of the Earth, contributes to the redistribution of heat on the globe. The gas envelope protects the Earth from excessive cooling and heating, saves everything living on Earth from the destructive ultraviolet, X-ray and cosmic rays. The atmosphere protects us from meteorites. The atmosphere serves as a conductor of sounds. The main consumer of air in nature is the flora and fauna of the Earth.

Under ambient air quality understand the totality of atmospheric properties that determine the degree of impact of physical, chemical and biological factors on people, flora and fauna, as well as on materials, structures and the environment as a whole.

Under air pollution understand any change in its composition and properties that has a negative impact on human and animal health, the condition of plants and ecosystems.

Pollutant- an admixture in the atmospheric air that, at certain concentrations, has an adverse effect on human health, plants and animals, other components of the natural environment or damages material objects.

Air pollution can be natural (natural) and anthropogenic (technogenic).

Natural air pollution caused by natural processes. These include volcanic activity, wind erosion, mass flowering of plants, smoke from forest and steppe fires.

Anthropogenic pollution associated with the release of pollutants from human activities. In terms of scale, it significantly exceeds natural air pollution and can be local, characterized by an increased content of pollutants in small areas (city, district, etc.), regional when large areas of the planet are affected, and global are changes in the whole atmosphere.

According to the state of aggregation, emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere are classified into: 1) gaseous (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons); 2) liquid (acids, alkalis, salt solutions); 3) solid (carcinogenic substances, lead and its compounds, organic and inorganic dust, soot, tarry substances).

The main anthropogenic pollutants (pollutants) of the atmospheric air, which account for about 98% of the total emissions of harmful substances, are sulfur dioxide (SO 2), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter. It is the concentrations of these pollutants that most often exceed the permissible levels in many Russian cities. The total world emission of the main pollutants into the atmosphere in 1990 amounted to 401 million tons, in Russia in 1991 - 26.2 million tons. But besides them, more than 70 types of harmful substances are observed in the atmosphere of cities and towns, including lead, mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals (emission sources: cars, smelters); hydrocarbons, among them the most dangerous is benz (a) pyrene, which has a carcinogenic effect (exhaust gases, boiler furnaces, etc.), aldehydes (formaldehyde), hydrogen sulfide, toxic volatile solvents (gasolines, alcohols, ethers). Currently, millions of people are exposed to carcinogenic factors of atmospheric air.

The most dangerous air pollution - radioactive, caused mainly by globally distributed long-lived radioactive isotopes - products of nuclear weapons tests carried out and from operating nuclear power plants during their operation. Special place occupy the release of radioactive substances as a result of the accident of the fourth unit at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. Their total release into the atmosphere amounted to 77 kg (740 g of them were formed during the atomic explosion over Hiroshima).

Currently, the main sources of atmospheric air pollution in Russia are the following industries: thermal power engineering (thermal and nuclear power plants, industrial and municipal boiler houses), motor transport, enterprises of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, oil production and petrochemistry, mechanical engineering, production of building materials.

Air pollution affects human health and the natural environment in various ways - from a direct and immediate threat to the slow and gradual destruction of various life support systems of the body. In many cases, air pollution disrupts ecosystem components to such an extent that regulatory processes are unable to return them to their original state, and as a result, homeostatic mechanisms do not work.

The physiological impact on the human body of the main pollutants is fraught with the most serious consequences. So, sulfur dioxide, combining with moisture, forms sulfuric acid, which destroys the lung tissue of humans and animals. Dust containing silicon dioxide (SiO2) causes a severe lung disease called silicosis. Nitrogen oxides irritate and corrode the mucous membranes of the eyes and lungs, and are involved in the formation of poisonous mists. If they are contained in the air together with sulfur dioxide, then a synergistic effect occurs, i.e. increased toxicity of the entire gaseous mixture.

The effect of carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) on the human body is widely known: in case of poisoning, a fatal outcome is possible. Due to the low concentration of carbon monoxide in the atmospheric air, it does not cause mass poisoning, although it is dangerous for those suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

Very unfavorable consequences, which can affect a huge time interval, are associated with insignificant emissions of such substances as lead, benzo (a) pyrene, phosphorus, cadmium, arsenic, cobalt. They inhibit the hematopoietic system, cause cancer, reduce the body's resistance to infections.

The consequences of exposure to the human body of harmful substances contained in the exhaust gases of cars are very serious and have the widest range of action: from coughing to death. Severe consequences in the body of living beings are caused by a toxic mixture of smoke, fog and dust - smog.

Anthropogenic emissions of pollutants in high concentrations and for a long time cause great harm not only to humans, but also to the rest of the biota. There are known cases of mass poisoning of wild animals, especially birds and insects, when harmful pollutants are emitted in high concentrations.

Emissions of harmful substances act both directly on the green parts of plants, getting through the stomata into tissues, destroying chlorophyll and cell structure, and through the soil - on the root system. Sulfur dioxide is especially dangerous for plants, under the influence of which photosynthesis stops and many trees die, especially conifers.

The global environmental problems associated with atmospheric pollution are the "greenhouse effect", the formation of "ozone holes" and the fallout of "acid rain".

From the second half of XIX century, there has been a gradual increase in the average annual temperature, which is associated with the accumulation in the atmosphere of the so-called "greenhouse gases" - carbon dioxide, methane, freons, ozone, nitrogen oxide. Greenhouse gases block long-wavelength thermal radiation from the Earth's surface, and an atmosphere saturated with them acts like the roof of a greenhouse. It, passing inside most of the solar radiation, almost does not let the heat radiated by the Earth out.

The "greenhouse effect" is the cause of the increase in the average global air temperature near the earth's surface. So, in 1988, the average annual temperature was 0.4°C higher than in 1950-1980, and by 2005, scientists predict its increase by 1.3°C. in the report International group The United Nations on climate change states that by 2100 the temperature on Earth will increase by 2-4 0.4°C. The scale of warming in this relatively short period will be comparable to the warming that occurred on Earth after the Ice Age, and the environmental consequences could be catastrophic. First of all, this is an increase in the level of the World Ocean due to the melting of polar ice, a reduction in the areas of mountain glaciation. An increase in ocean level of only 0.5-2.0 meters by the end of the 21st century will lead to a violation of climatic equilibrium, flooding of coastal plains in more than 30 countries, degradation of permafrost, and swamping of vast territories.

At the International Conference in Toronto (Canada) in 1985, the world's energy industry was tasked with reducing by 2005 by 20% industrial carbon emissions into the atmosphere. At the UN conference in Kyoto (Japan) in 1997, the previously established barrier for greenhouse gas emissions was confirmed. But it is obvious that a tangible environmental effect can only be obtained by combining these measures with the global direction of environmental policy, the essence of which is the maximum possible preservation of communities of organisms, natural ecosystems and the entire biosphere of the Earth.

"Ozone holes"- these are significant spaces in the ozone layer of the atmosphere at an altitude of 20-25 km with a noticeably reduced (up to 50% or more) ozone content. The depletion of the ozone layer is recognized by all as a serious threat to global environmental security. It weakens the ability of the atmosphere to protect all life from harsh ultraviolet radiation, the energy of a single photon of which is enough to destroy most organic molecules. Therefore, in areas with a low ozone content, sunburn is numerous, and the number of skin cancer cases is increasing.

Both natural and anthropogenic origin of "ozone holes" is assumed. The latter is probably due to the increased content of chlorofluorocarbons (freons) in the atmosphere. Freons are widely used in industrial production and in everyday life (cooling units, solvents, sprayers, aerosol packages). In the atmosphere, freons decompose with the release of chlorine oxide, which has a detrimental effect on ozone molecules. According to the international environmental organization Greenpeace, the main suppliers of chlorofluorocarbons (freons) are the USA (30.85%), Japan (12.42%), Great Britain (8.62%) and Russia (8.0%). Recently, factories have been built in the USA and in a number of Western countries for the production of new types of refrigerants (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) with a low potential for ozone depletion.

A number of scientists continue to insist on the natural origin of "ozone holes". The reasons for their occurrence are associated with the natural variability of the ozonosphere, the cyclic activity of the Sun, rifting and degassing of the Earth, i.e. with the breakthrough of deep gases (hydrogen, methane, nitrogen) through the rift faults of the earth's crust.

"Acid Rain" are formed during industrial emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which, when combined with atmospheric moisture, form dilute sulfuric and nitric acids. As a result, rain and snow are acidified (pH value below 5.6). Acidification of the natural environment negatively affects the state of ecosystems. Under the influence of acid precipitation, not only nutrients are leached from the soil, but also toxic metals: lead, cadmium, aluminum. Further, they themselves or their toxic compounds are absorbed by plants and soil organisms, which leads to very negative consequences. The impact of acid rain reduces the resistance of forests to droughts, diseases, natural pollution, which leads to their degradation as natural ecosystems. There have been cases of damage to coniferous and deciduous forests in Karelia, Siberia and other regions of our country. An example of the negative impact of acid rain on natural ecosystems is the acidification of lakes. It is especially intense in Canada, Sweden, Norway and Finland. This is explained by the fact that a significant part of sulfur emissions in the US, Germany and the UK falls on their territory.

Atmospheric air protection is a key problem in the improvement of the natural environment.

Hygienic standard for ambient air quality- a criterion of atmospheric air quality, reflecting the maximum allowable maximum content of pollutants in the atmospheric air, at which there is no harmful effect on human health.

Environmental standard for atmospheric air quality- a criterion of atmospheric air quality, reflecting the maximum allowable maximum content of pollutants in the atmospheric air, at which there is no harmful effect on the environment.

Maximum allowable (critical) load- an indicator of the impact of one or more pollutants on the environment, the excess of which can lead to harmful effects on it.

Harmful (polluting) substance- a chemical or biological substance (or a mixture thereof) contained in the atmospheric air, which, in certain concentrations, has a harmful effect on human health and the natural environment.

Air quality standards define the permissible limits for the content of harmful substances in:

production area, designed to accommodate industrial enterprises, pilot plants of research institutes, etc.;

residential area, designed to accommodate housing stock, public buildings and structures, settlements.

In GOST 17.2.1.03-84. "Protection of Nature. Atmosphere. Pollution control terms and definitions” presents the main terms and definitions related to atmospheric pollution indicators, monitoring programs, and the behavior of impurities in the atmospheric air.

For atmospheric air, two MPC standards are set - one-time and average daily.

Maximum allowable concentration of a harmful substance- this is the maximum single concentration, which should not cause reflex reactions in the human body (smell, change in light sensitivity of the eyes, etc.) in the air of populated areas when inhaling air for 20-30 minutes.

The concept of p maximum allowable concentration of a harmful substance used in setting scientific and technical standards for maximum permissible emissions of pollutants. As a result of the dispersion of impurities in the air under adverse meteorological conditions at the border of the sanitary protection zone of the enterprise, the concentration of a harmful substance at any time should not exceed the maximum allowable.

The maximum allowable concentration of a harmful substance is average daily - this is the concentration that should not have a direct or indirect harmful effect on a person for an indefinitely long (years) time. Thus, this concentration is calculated for all groups of the population for an indefinitely long period of exposure and, therefore, is the most stringent sanitary and hygienic standard that establishes the concentration of a harmful substance in the air. It is the value of the average daily maximum permissible concentration of a harmful substance that can act as a "standard" for assessing the well-being of the air environment in a residential area.

The maximum permissible concentration of a harmful substance in the air of the working area is the concentration that, during daily (except weekends) work for 8 hours, or for another duration, but not more than 41 hours a week, throughout the entire working experience should not cause illness or deviations in the state of health detected modern methods research, in the course of work or in the remote periods of life of the present and subsequent generations. A working area should be considered a space up to 2 meters high above the floor level or an area on which there are places for permanent or temporary stay of workers.

As follows from the definition, the maximum allowable concentration of the working area is a standard that limits the impact of a harmful substance on the adult working part of the population during the period of time established by labor legislation. It is absolutely unacceptable to compare the pollution levels of the residential area with the established maximum allowable concentrations in the working area, and also to talk about the maximum allowable concentration in the air in general, without specifying which standard is being discussed.

Permissible level of radiation and other physical impact on the environment- this is the level that does not pose a danger to human health, the condition of animals, plants, their genetic fund. The permissible level of radiation exposure is determined on the basis of radiation safety standards. Permissible levels of exposure to noise, vibration, and magnetic fields have also been established.

Currently, a number of complex indicators of atmospheric pollution (together by several pollutants) have been proposed. The most common and recommended methodological documentation of the State Committee for Ecology is the integrated air pollution index. It is calculated as the sum of the average concentrations of various substances normalized to the average daily maximum allowable concentration and reduced to the concentration of sulfur dioxide.

Maximum allowable release, or discharge- this is the maximum amount of pollutants that per unit of time is allowed to be emitted by this particular enterprise into the atmosphere or discharged into a reservoir, without causing them to exceed the maximum permissible concentrations of pollutants and adverse environmental consequences.

The maximum allowable emission is set for each source of air pollution and for each impurity emitted by this source in such a way that emissions of harmful substances from given source and from the totality of the sources of the city or other locality taking into account the prospects for the development of industrial enterprises and the dispersion of harmful substances in the atmosphere, they do not create a surface concentration that exceeds their maximum one-time maximum allowable concentration.

The main values of maximum allowable emissions - maximum one-time - are set under the condition of full load of process and gas cleaning equipment and their normal operation and should not be exceeded in any 20-minute period of time.

Along with the maximum one-time (control) values of maximum allowable emissions, annual values of maximum allowable emissions derived from them are established for individual sources and the enterprise as a whole, taking into account the temporary unevenness of emissions, including due to scheduled repairs of process and gas cleaning equipment.

If the values of maximum allowable emissions for objective reasons cannot be achieved, for such enterprises, temporarily agreed emissions harmful substances and introduces a gradual reduction of emissions of harmful substances to values that ensure compliance with the maximum allowable emissions.

Public environmental monitoring can solve the problem of assessing the compliance of the enterprise's activities with the established values of maximum allowable emissions or temporarily agreed emissions by determining the concentrations of pollutants in the surface air layer (for example, at the border of the sanitary protection zone).

To compare data on air pollution by several substances in different cities or city districts complex indices of air pollution must be calculated for the same amount (n) of impurities. When compiling the annual list of cities with the highest level of air pollution, to calculate the complex index Yn, the values of the unit indices Yi of those five substances with the highest values are used.

The movement of pollutants in the atmosphere "does not respect state borders”, i.e. cross-border. Transboundary pollution is pollution transferred from the territory of one country to the area of another.

To protect the atmosphere from negative anthropogenic impact in the form of pollution with harmful substances, the following measures are used:

Ecologization of technological processes;

Purification of gas emissions from harmful impurities;

Dissipation of gaseous emissions in the atmosphere;

Arrangement of sanitary protection zones, architectural and planning solutions.

The most radical measure to protect the air basin from pollution is the greening of technological processes and, first of all, the creation of closed technological cycles, waste-free and low-waste technologies that exclude harmful pollutants from entering the atmosphere, in particular, the creation of continuous technological processes, preliminary purification of fuel or replacement its more environmentally friendly types, the use of hydro dust removal, the transfer to the electric drive of various units, gas recirculation.

Under wasteless technology understand such a principle of organization of production, in which the cycle "primary raw materials - production - consumption - secondary raw materials" is built with rational use all components of raw materials, all types of energy and without disturbing the ecological balance.

Today, the priority task is to combat air pollution by exhaust gases from vehicles. Currently, there is an active search for a "cleaner" fuel than gasoline. Development continues to replace the carburetor engine with more environmentally friendly types, and trial models of cars powered by electricity have been created. The current level of greening of technological processes is still insufficient to completely prevent gas emissions into the atmosphere. Therefore, various methods of cleaning exhaust gases from aerosols (dust) and toxic gas and vapor impurities are widely used. To clean emissions from aerosols, various types of devices are used depending on the degree of dust content in the air, the size of solid particles and the required level of purification: dry dust collectors (cyclones, dust settling chambers), wet dust collectors (scrubbers), filters, electrostatic precipitators, catalytic, absorption and other methods for purification of gases from toxic gas and vapor impurities.

Dispersion of gas impurities in the atmosphere- this is the reduction of their dangerous concentrations to the level of the corresponding maximum permissible concentration by dispersing dust and gas emissions with the help of high chimneys. The higher the pipe, the greater its scattering effect. But, as A. Gore (1993) points out: “The use of tall chimneys, while helping to reduce local smoke pollution, at the same time exacerbated the regional problems of acid rain.”

Sanitary protection zone- this is a strip separating sources of industrial pollution from residential or public buildings to protect the population from the influence of harmful production factors. The width of these zones is from 50 to 1000 m and depends on the class of production, the degree of harmfulness and the amount of substances released into the atmosphere. It should be noted that citizens whose dwelling is within the sanitary protection zone, protecting their constitutional right to a favorable environment, can demand either the termination of the environmentally hazardous activities of the enterprise, or relocation at the expense of the enterprise outside the sanitary protection zone.

Architectural and planning measures include the correct mutual placement of emission sources and populated areas, taking into account the direction of the winds, the choice of a flat, elevated place for building an industrial enterprise, well blown by the winds.

The Law of the Russian Federation "On Environmental Protection" (2002) contains a separate article (Article 54) devoted to the problem of protecting the ozone layer, which indicates its exceptional importance. The law provides for the following set of measures to protect the ozone layer:

Organization of observations of changes in the ozone layer under the influence of economic activity and other processes;

Compliance with the standards for permissible emissions of substances that adversely affect the state of the ozone layer;

Regulation of the production and use of chemicals that deplete the ozone layer of the atmosphere.

So, the issue of human impact on the atmosphere is in the focus of attention of ecologists around the world, since the largest global environmental problems of our time - the "greenhouse effect", the violation of the ozone layer, acid rain, are associated precisely with anthropogenic pollution of the atmosphere. To assess and predict the impact of anthropogenic factors on the state of the natural environment of the Russian Federation, the background monitoring system operating within the Global Atmosphere Watch and Global Background Monitoring Network.