By trapping the earth's heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases lead to warmer temperatures, which in turn lead to the hallmarks of climate change. Lets summaries the impacts of atmospheric pollution:

What is smog: Smog, or smoke fog, is a type of intense air pollution. The word "smog" was coined in the early 20th century, and is a portmanteau of the words smoke and fog to refer to smoky fog due to its opacity, and odor. Its caused by pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, and other sources chemically react in the presence of sunlight.

The potential impact of smog on people:

Irritation of eyes and throat, increasing respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Fine particles carried into the lungs leading to lung cancer. Strokes and heart attacks.
Breathing difficulties.

The potential impact of smog on the environment:

The ability of plants to make and store food through photosynthesis is reduced.
Growth, reproduction and general heath of plants decline making them more prone to disease and pests.

2. What is acid rain: Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

The potential impact of acid rain on people:

Acidification of groundwater makes water undrinkable and can cause diarrhoea and stomach upsets.
Crop yields decline.
Limestone buildings are chemically weathered.

The potential impact of acid rain on the environment

Trees affected as foliage dies.
Acidification of groundwater damages tree roots.

3. What is Ozone depletion: Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper atmosphere. This happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone and destroy the ozone molecules.

The potential impact of ozone depletion:

Higher levels of ultraviolet radiation causes sun burn, skin cancers, retina damage and cataracts{a disease of the eye that clouds the eye's lens}.
Immune system can be suppressed.

The potential impact of ozone depletion:

Melting ice sheets, glaciers and permafrost can lead to a rise in sea levels.
Changes in biochemical composition makes some plant leaves less attractive ad food.

THE END

2 comments

Comments (2)

indu marath

Sep 19

How does air pollution impact ecosystems and biodiversity?
What role does air pollution play in climate change?
What are the economic costs associated with air pollution-related health issues?
How does air pollution affect agricultural productivity?
What measures can be taken to mitigate the impacts of air pollution on public health?

Eshaaan

Sep 19

Replying to

Pollutants can cause direct harm to organisms, lead to habitat loss, alter ecological processes, and even drive climate change.
Emissions of pollutants into the air can result in changes to the climate.
The total health expenditure in India is 3·8% of GDP.
Air pollution injury to plants can be evident in several ways. Injury to foliage may be visible in a short time and appear as necrotic lesions (dead tissue), or it can develop slowly as a yellowing or chlorosis of the leaf. There may be a reduction in growth of various portions of a plant.
Individuals can reduce exposure to air pollutants and potential adverse health effects by avoiding regular physical activity alongside high-traffic roadways or near other sources of combustion such as burning of wood, biomass, or other materials.