Notes for ME3003 Environmental Studies for

Mechanical Engineers Module 1 part 2

Topics covered - Global warming, climate change, acid rain,

ozone layer depletion, nuclear accidents.

Reference for the notes

Book 1 : [1] Environmental Studies by Mr. Benny Joseph

Greenhouse effect (abbreviated as GHE)

Process which occurs naturally which helps in heating of earths surface
and atmosphere. Gases Like CO2, CH4 and water vapor absorb long wave radiation from surface of earth (trap heat) ,similar to glass of greenhouse. The earths temp would have been -18 o C if GHE was absent. As solar energy passes thru surface (s/f) of earth, Reflection by clouds and particles to space - 26 % of energy Absorption by clouds, ozone and other gases, particles - 19 % Passing thru earth s/f - 55% (51+4)

Reflected by earth s/f

Reaching earth s/f

- 4%
- 51%
1

(used in heating s/f, evaporation of water, snow and ice melting,

photosynthesis)

Greenhouse effect
Sun Long wave radiation to space

Greenhouse Gases like CO2, CH4 ,water vapor absorb long Greenhouse Gases wave radiation from surface of earth (trap heat)

Absorption by surface

Conversion

Heat

More Heat gain and radiation again

Greenhouse effect and Global Warming

Amount of heat added by GH gases to atmosphere depends on their concentration (has been increasing since Industrial Revoln.). Increase of Earths temperature due to GHE is called Global Warming. Modeling

indicates (doubling CO2 -> 2-3

C rise in temp) , causes evaporation in

oceans, more cloudy, clouds reflect more counteraction of GHE. Greenhouse gases - CO2 (accounts for 55 % GHE)

- Chlorofluorocarbons - CFC (accounts for 25%)

- Methane CH4 (accounts for 15%) - Nitrous Oxide - N2O (accounts for 5%)

- Ozone O3 (not quantified)

Global Warming Effects

Causes climate changes in world. Climate conditions determine availability of food, water resources etc. They influence Water Resources - quality, quantity and availability for irrigation, industrial use,

electricity generation impacted due to change in precipitation and increased

evaporation. Coastal Resources rise in sea level, inundation of land. Energy and Transportation water transport impacted because of flooding, lower

river level.
Oceans complicated effect (increase water vapor content but their thermal holding capacity reduces GW. Phytoplanktons (biological CO2 pump) remove anthropogenic CO2 (reason for GW).

Vegetation Changes in vegetation affect hydrological cycle. Changes in precipitation

(lower rainfall) causes drought, fire susceptibility, insect damage, more CO2 means more photosynthesis.

Global Climate glacier melt, cold water addition alters sea currents of Atlantic ocean

which are heat conveyors. Drastic effect : Northern Hemisphere (may become colder)
Southern Hemisphere (may become drier).
4

Global Warming Effects (continued)

Health (cause mortality due to heat).

Global Warming Solutions

Using less polluting fossil fuels, wind, solar energy use, fuel cell or electric vehicles. Use of biofuel (Ethanol, Biodiesel), reduces CO2 emission from automobiles. Design of compact and complete towns involving lesser need for driving, encourages bicycles, walking etc. Practicing sustainable farming and forestry, (traps carbon in soils

and plants).

Climate Change
Climate Average weather (temperature, rainfall, humidity) pattern in a locality over many years. Climate change influenced by either heat coming into earth or going out of atmosphere. Caused by increased fossil fuel- burning since Industrial Revln; increases GH gas concentration (CO2, CH4, N2O, HFC (hydro), PFC(per), SF6), more GW, so climate changes.

Dealing with Climate change

Energy Supply - Increasing use of (hydro, solar, wind, geothermal sources). Transport More cleaner and fuel efficient vehicles.

Buildings More efficient appliances, cooking stoves, alternate refrigerant fluids.

Industry More efficient equipment, heat and power recovery, control of gas emissions. Agriculture Better grazing and crop mgmt to improve carbon storage of soil, better manure mgmt to reduce CH4 emissions, N2O emissions in nitrogen fertilizer applications.

Forests Afforestation, reduce deforestation.

Waste waste incineration with energy recovery, composting organic waste.

Acid Rains
When Rain water has pH < 5.7 , it is called acid rain.

Causes
1) SO2 by burning of fossil fuels and from industrial plants 2SO3 O2 This reaction is influenced by sunlight, temp, humidity, hydrocarbons, particulates etc. 2SO2 + SO3 SO2 + + H2O + H2O (l) H2O H2SO4 (Sulphuric Acid) H2O (l)

SO2 (g)

H2O (l)

H2SO3 (Sulphurous Acid) 2) Nitrogen Oxides released from power plants and vehicles 2NO + 4NO2 +

O2
2H2O + O2

2NO2 4HNO3 (Nitric Acid)

Effects
On Vegetation - Plant nutrients are washed away from soil. Makes soil acidic, aids release of Al, Cu ions which harm plants. Aquatic Life (If pH < 4.5 affects Ca metabolism in fish). Building materials get damaged (e.g. Limestone, Marble). Corrosion of metals promoted.
7

Ozone (abbreviated as Oz) layer depletion

Ozone naturally occurs in stratosphere of earth as a layer. It is formed when UV radiation from sun strikes stratosphere and splits oxygen molecule (O2) into atoms (O) reaches . Atomic oxygen combines quickly and forms ozone.

Oz layer denser at poles than equator. Oz (O3) in stratosphere protects earth

from harmful UV rays which can cause skin cancer, damage to vegetation, etc. Chapmans eqns. (Eqns. 1-4) form oz layer. So oz layer also called as chapman

layer.
O2 + h O + O2 O + O (Eqn. 1) O3 O3 +h (Eqn. 2) O2 + O O2 + O of these reactions.
8

(Eqn. 3) O3 (Eqn. 4)

Even if UV splits ozone, it can re-form quickly. Net oz concentration is a net result

Ozone (abbreviated as Oz) layer depletion

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), broken down by sunlight, release Cl atoms, and act as catalysts in
destruction of ozone. Cl +O3 ClO + O2

Measuring depletion of ozone

In DOBSON Unit - total amount of ozone in an overhead column of atmosphere.

Measures how thick the layer would be if it is compressed to 1 layer at 0 o C under pressure of one atmosphere acting over it. Effects of depletion Causes skin cancer, eye cataract, reduces natural immunity, damages life and vegetation due to depletion. Steps of control Many ODC (ozone depleting chemicals phased out of use in uses as aerosols, refrigerant etc.) Proper equipment maintenance so that CFCs are not released into atmosphere.
9

Nuclear accidents/disasters have potential to cause catastrophic destruction, death etc. The possibility of their occurrence when radioactive materials are used, transported or stored. e.g. of sites are : Nuclear power plants, research centers,

Nuclear Accidents

hospitals, industries, major highway etc.

Radioactive materials pose danger because these emit radiations which are harmful for body cells. Radiation cannot be detected by sight, smell etc. Effects Skin hardening, cancer, death, chronic illness etc. depending on amount of radiation absorbed and duration of exposure. Ways of minimizing damage
Distance - More the distance from source, lesser is the radiation.
Shielding More heavier and denser the materials separating person from source, better is the shielding. Time - Lesser the time of exposure, more safer it is.
10

End of Module1 part 2 notes