Understanding Environmental Understanding Environmental PollutionPollution

SponsorsSponsors

Global climate changeGlobal climate change

Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park (US) showing recession Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park (US) showing recession since 1850 of 1.1 km since 1850 of 1.1 km

Between 1976 and 2000, the area of Furtwängler Glacier (Mount Between 1976 and 2000, the area of Furtwängler Glacier (Mount KilimanjaroKilimanjaro) was cut almost in half, from 113,000 m² to 60,000 m². ) was cut almost in half, from 113,000 m² to 60,000 m².

The Boulder Glacier retreated 450 m from 1987 to 2005.The Boulder Glacier retreated 450 m from 1987 to 2005.

Sea levels are risingSea levels are rising

The sea level has risen more than 120 m since the peak of the last ice age The sea level has risen more than 120 m since the peak of the last ice age about 18,000 years ago. The bulk of that occurred before 6,000 years ago. about 18,000 years ago. The bulk of that occurred before 6,000 years ago. From 3,000 years ago to the start of the 19th century sea level was almost From 3,000 years ago to the start of the 19th century sea level was almost constant, rising at 0.1 to 0.2 mm/yr… constant, rising at 0.1 to 0.2 mm/yr…

……since 1900 the level has risen at 1 to 3 mm/yr; since 1992 satellite since 1900 the level has risen at 1 to 3 mm/yr; since 1992 satellite altimetry indicates a rate of about 3 mm/yr.altimetry indicates a rate of about 3 mm/yr.

Greenhouse gases and their sources Greenhouse gases and their sources

The basic mechanismThe basic mechanism

http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagrams/greenhouse/http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagrams/greenhouse/

Average concentrations of atmospheric Average concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxidecarbon dioxide in the year in the year 2005 were about 380 parts per million. Prior to 1700, levels of2005 were about 380 parts per million. Prior to 1700, levels of carbon dioxide were about 280 parts per million. This increase in carbon dioxide were about 280 parts per million. This increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is primarily due to the activities of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is primarily due to the activities of humans. humans.

Carbon dioxide emissions per capitaCarbon dioxide emissions per capita

The Wall StreetThe Wall Street JournalJournal

(December 4, (December 4, 1997)1997)

ΤΤhe shorter the solar cycle (the more active the sun), the higher the temperaturehe shorter the solar cycle (the more active the sun), the higher the temperature ..

The amount of solar radiation received at the outer surface of Earth's The amount of solar radiation received at the outer surface of Earth's atmosphere was once assumed to not change much from an average atmosphere was once assumed to not change much from an average value of 1366 W/m². The variations in total solar output are so slight value of 1366 W/m². The variations in total solar output are so slight (as a percentage of total output) that they remained at or below the (as a percentage of total output) that they remained at or below the threshold of detectability until the satellite era, although the small threshold of detectability until the satellite era, although the small fraction in ultra-violet wavelengths varies by a few percent. Total solar fraction in ultra-violet wavelengths varies by a few percent. Total solar output is now measured to vary (over the last two 11-year sunspot output is now measured to vary (over the last two 11-year sunspot cycles) by approximately 0.1% or about 1.3 W/m² peak-to-trough of the cycles) by approximately 0.1% or about 1.3 W/m² peak-to-trough of the 11 year sunspot cycle. 11 year sunspot cycle.

Sunspot Cycles Sunspot Cycles

Solar variation has probably been the cause of some climate change, for Solar variation has probably been the cause of some climate change, for example during the Maunder minimum. A 2006 study and review of existing example during the Maunder minimum. A 2006 study and review of existing literature, published in Nature, determined that there has been no net literature, published in Nature, determined that there has been no net increase in brightness since the mid 1970s, and that changes in solar output increase in brightness since the mid 1970s, and that changes in solar output within the past 400 years are unlikely to have played a major part in global within the past 400 years are unlikely to have played a major part in global warming warming

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_variationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_variation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunder_minimumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunder_minimum

Urban Heat Island EffectsUrban Heat Island Effects

Causal links between global warming & El Niño conditions?Causal links between global warming & El Niño conditions?

NormalNormal El NinoEl Nino La NinaLa Nina

Causal links between global warming Causal links between global warming

& extreme meteorological events?& extreme meteorological events?

Stratosphere-ozone depletionStratosphere-ozone depletion

Ozone’s natural cycleOzone’s natural cycle

Image of the largest Antarctic ozone hole ever recorded Image of the largest Antarctic ozone hole ever recorded in September 2006. in September 2006.

BUT……BUT……

do NOT exaggerate!!!!!!do NOT exaggerate!!!!!!

The world’s response to desertification “The world’s response to desertification “must be equal to must be equal to that demanded by global warming, the destruction of the that demanded by global warming, the destruction of the stratospheric-ozone layer, and the loss of biodiversitystratospheric-ozone layer, and the loss of biodiversity.”.”

Klaus T Klaus Tööpfer (UNEP) pfer (UNEP)

DesertificationDesertification

Desertification already affects nearly 1 billion people, and over 41% of Desertification already affects nearly 1 billion people, and over 41% of the Earth’s land area. Desertification is most pronounced in Africa the Earth’s land area. Desertification is most pronounced in Africa

where 65% of the agricultural land may be degraded. where 65% of the agricultural land may be degraded.

Dust storms in ChinaDust storms in China

Chernobyl disasterChernobyl disaster

The The Chernobyl disasterChernobyl disaster was an accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear was an accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on April 26, 1986 at 01:23 a.m., consisting of an explosion Power Plant on April 26, 1986 at 01:23 a.m., consisting of an explosion at the plant and subsequent radioactive contamination of the surrounding at the plant and subsequent radioactive contamination of the surrounding geographic area. The power plant is located in Ukraine, at the time part geographic area. The power plant is located in Ukraine, at the time part of the Soviet Union. It is regarded as the worst accident ever in the of the Soviet Union. It is regarded as the worst accident ever in the history of nuclear power. history of nuclear power.

Coral reef bleachingCoral reef bleaching

1 week after the accident!1 week after the accident!2 weeks after the 2 weeks after the

accident!!!!!!accident!!!!!!

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EutrophicationEutrophication

DiatomsDiatoms

DinoflagellatesDinoflagellates

CyanobacteriaCyanobacteria

Level IILevel II

ConsumersConsumers

Level IIILevel III

LevelLevel

III III

Level IVLevel IV

Lake ErieLake Erie

- The bottom layer of water (the - The bottom layer of water (the

hypolimnion), because it is cold, hypolimnion), because it is cold,

tends to not mix with warmer tends to not mix with warmer

surface water (the epilimnion), and surface water (the epilimnion), and

therefore has no opportunity for therefore has no opportunity for

oxygen replenishment from the oxygen replenishment from the

atmosphere.atmosphere.

- The central basin of Lake Erie is the primary problem area - The central basin of Lake Erie is the primary problem area

because the western basin is sufficiently shallow that the deepest because the western basin is sufficiently shallow that the deepest

waters warm enough to mix into the epilimnion in early summer. waters warm enough to mix into the epilimnion in early summer.

In contrast, the deeper eastern basin is not threatened by oxygen In contrast, the deeper eastern basin is not threatened by oxygen

depletion because decomposition of algae and sediments cannot depletion because decomposition of algae and sediments cannot

deplete the much greater water volume in its hypolimnion over deplete the much greater water volume in its hypolimnion over

the span of the spring and summer. the span of the spring and summer.

Pathogenic microorganismsPathogenic microorganisms

Escherichia coliEscherichia coli

Pathogenic viruses and bacteria in coastal waters can infect swimmers.Pathogenic viruses and bacteria in coastal waters can infect swimmers.

E. coliE. coli can be the causative agent of several intestinal and extra- can be the causative agent of several intestinal and extra-

intestinal infections such as urinary tract infections, meningitis, intestinal infections such as urinary tract infections, meningitis,

peritonitis, mastitis, septicemia and gram-negative pneumonia. peritonitis, mastitis, septicemia and gram-negative pneumonia.

The The Exxon Valdez oil spillExxon Valdez oil spill was one of the most was one of the most

devastating environmental disasters ever to occur devastating environmental disasters ever to occur

at sea, seriously affecting plants and wildlife. at sea, seriously affecting plants and wildlife.

An "invasive species" is a plant or animal that is non-native (or alien) to an An "invasive species" is a plant or animal that is non-native (or alien) to an

ecosystem, and whose introduction is likely to cause economic, human health, or ecosystem, and whose introduction is likely to cause economic, human health, or

environmental damage in that ecosystem. At least 25 non-native species of fish have environmental damage in that ecosystem. At least 25 non-native species of fish have

entered the Great Lakes since the 1800s; they have had significant impacts on the entered the Great Lakes since the 1800s; they have had significant impacts on the

Great Lakes food web by competing with native fish for food and habitat. Great Lakes food web by competing with native fish for food and habitat.

Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species

Sea lamprey Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)(Petromyzon marinus)