PHYS 100 Gulley

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Air Pollution effects on Earth Systems

Rhonda Gulley

Hypothesis

Air Pollution caused by humans has a significant impact on all of Earth's systems

Air Pollution: "Air pollution is contamination of the indoor or outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. (Air Pollution)"

Definition

• Climate Change: a major component of air pollution is greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and cause global warming and climate change causing extreme weather, rising sea level, and disruption to ecosystems. (Evers & West, 2024)
• Acid Rain: Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from air pollution combine with water vapor to form acid rain. Acid rain damages ecosystems to include plants, soils, and bodies of water. (Evers & West, 2024)
• Ozone Damage: the ground-level ozone is a byproduct of air pollution and can harm the same ecosystems. (Ecosystems and Air Quality 2024)
• Water Contamination: Air pollution can pollute the soil and water harming ecosystems. (Ecosystems and Air Quality 2024)
• Reduced Biodiversity: Air pollution can reduce the amount and kinds of plant and animal species in ecosystems. (Impacts of air pollution on ecosystems 2024)

Impact of air pollution on the natural processes of the Earth and its systems

Air pollution can increase soil erosion because it alters soil chemistry and causes the soil to lose the ability to retain nutrients. It also impacts plant growth and can transport pollutants and pathogens. The effects can be direct, such as affecting plant growth by decreasing photosynthesis, or indirect by affecting cop yields. When the microbes in soil take in ammonia from the atmosphere, they cause the soil to be more acidic and reduce microbial diversity. Particles that are airborne can carry pathogens that affect food production. Farmers can improve air quality and soil health by practicing soil conservation management techniques.

Air pollution's effect on erosion

Water pollution is frequently caused by air pollution as toxic particles in the air drop into the water causing them to be acidic and contaminated. It happens more with snow and the thawing of snow. Larger amounts of toxins are transported from the air to the water. This is dangerous for humans consuming ground water and has devastating effects on water ecosystems.

How does Air Pollution impact the natural processes of Earth's water and water systems?

Air pollution can have long-lasting effects on health because our bodies absorb the particles, and they damage our organs, causing diseases such as cancer and dementia. There are 8.1 million premature deaths a year attributed to air pollution. Air pollution has shortened life expectancy by 2.2 years. Air pollution has lasting effects on the economy by causing lowered productivity by five percent globally and hurting economic activity. Air pollution increases climate change and harms biodiversity and ecosystems. Pollutants accelerate global warming and are increasing the climate crisis.

What are the long-term consequences to the Earth ?

How Air Pollution impacts the Ocean

Ocean Acidifications

Is ccaused by CO2 and a chemical reaction that lowers the PH of the water

Deposition of Pollutants

Pollutants from the air like nitrogen and sulfer from be deposited into the water

Eutrophications

Excess nutrients like nitogen and phosphorus can cause excessive algal growth and deplete oxygen

Smog Formation

Smog formation can degrade the sir and water quality

Air Pollution's impact on the Earth's Atmosphere

"Emissions of pollutants into the air can result in changes to the climate. These pollutants, including greenhouse gases, are often referred to as climate forcers. Ozone in the atmosphere warms the climate, while different components of PM can have either warming or cooling effects on the climate. For example, black carbon, a particulate pollutant from combustion, contributes to the warming of the Earth, while particulate sulfates cool the earth's atmosphere."(EPA, 2025)

(Columbia University, 2019)

Solutions: Reducing trash burning and cleaner industrial technologies

Climate Change

Erosion

Acid Rain

Ozone Damage

Water Contamination

Summary

Air Pollution caused by humans has a significant impact on all of Earth's systems

Columbia University . (2019, July). Low and Middle Income Countries’ Urban Air Pollution Solutions. C40 Knowledge Community. https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/Low-and-Middle-Income-Countries-Urban-Air-Pollution-Solutions?language=en_US Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, November 22). Ecosystems and Air Quality. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecosystems-and-air-quality#:~:text=Researchers%20are%20exploring%20the%20dynamic,Primary%20NAAQS%20protect%20public%20welfare.) Environmental Protection Agency. (2025, January 14). Air Quality and Climate Change Research. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/air-research/air-quality-and-climate-change-research#:~:text=Emissions%20of%20pollutants%20into%20the,cooling%20effects%20on%20the%20climate. Evers, J., & West, K. (Eds.). (2024, November 15). Air Pollution. Education. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/air-pollution/ Facts and stats on Air Pollution. Clean Air Fund. (2025, April 8). https://www.cleanairfund.org/theme/facts-and-stats/

Reference

Giltrap, D., Cavanagh, J., Stevenson, B., & Asseil, A.-G. (2021, August 4). The role of soils in the regulation of air quality. Philosophical Transaction of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2020.0172 Impacts of air pollution on ecosystems. European Environment Agency. (2024, June 28). https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/air-quality-in-europe-2022/impacts-of-air-pollution-on-ecosystems Ocean acidification | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2025, February 25). https://www-noaa-gov.translate.goog/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-acidification?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=pt&_x_tr_hl=pt&_x_tr_pto=tc World Health Organization. (n.d.). Air Pollution. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1

Reference