Tag: the environment and us

The big cities in India have witnessed an ever increase in the air pollution and deterioration of the air quality due to the increase in the use of the vehicles, construction material, industrial growth, deforestation etc. The increase in the suspended particles, the frequent appearance of the photochemical smog, the events of the acid rains and the increase in respiratory diseases in the population are the outcomes of air pollution. 

Atmospheric aerosol particles can be defined as any solid or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere. Fog, Dust, smoke are examples of aerosol. Aerosols increase atmospheric albedo due to which the rate of photosynthesis by plants on earth is decreased. Albedo is the part of the energy from the sunlight reflected back into the atmosphere. 

Biotic components are living things and abiotic components are non-living being in an ecosystem. Pollution of any kind adversely affect these components, contaminated air affects the natural cycle of respiration for trees, human and animals, excessive use of fertilisers diminish the quality of soil and malign the quality of water. Smoke and chemical production cause ozone depletion. Lands are becoming infertile, natural water bodies are drying up, and with the development new kind of pollution can be identified such as nuclear pollution making soil, water and atmosphere radioactive for long period.

Lead is the major heavy metal pollutant released by the vehicular exhausts. It persists in the air and precipitates with the rains. In reaches the human body when consumed through water or inhaled as suspended particle. At the concentration of 30μg/100ml in blood, it is considered poisoning as it can cause aplastic anaemia, tumour and cancer.

Lead is the major heavy metal pollutant released by the vehicular exhausts. It persists in the air and precipitates with the rains. In reaches the human body when consumed through water or inhaled as suspended particle. At the concentration of 30μg/100ml in blood, it is considered poisoning as it can cause aplastic anaemia, tumour and cancer.

In foggy and hazy environment, the visible spectrum of the sun is not able to penetrate and so, humans find it difficult to visualize. However, the UV-A can penetrate through the fog, which cannot be detected by human eyes as t falls behind the visible spectrum of VIBGYOR. Birds are capable of recognizing more colors than the humans, they can detect the UV rays as well that allows them to navigate in the foggy and hazy conditions as well. These also allow the birds to track their migratory routes.

Photochemical smog is composed mainly of ozone (O$ _3$), Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and NOx. It is often called brown air where solar radiation is intense. In areas or seasons of lesser solar radiation smog formation is incomplete and the air is referred to as grey air.

Anthracosis is the clinical disorders of the respiratory tract that is caused due to deposition of the coal dust due to inhalation of polluted air. It is a form of pneumoconiosis. Due to this, the lungs are rendered black in colour. It is also called the Miner's disease as the coal mine workers are worst affected by it. It affects the bronchi and alveoli surface area. This illness can be seen in smokers as well. Pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the severe effects of anthracosis. 

Aerosols are minute particles suspended in the atmosphere and are known to reduce primary productivity on earth. scattering and absorption of sunlight by anthropogenic aerosols reduce photosynthetically active radiation, (PAR) incident upon the Earth’s surface, but increase the fraction of the PAR that is diffuse.

Hydrogen cyanide stops the transport of oxygen around the body and may also cause sudden loss of consciousness, weakness, headache, confusion, nausea, vomiting, irritation and eye infections. People with sensitive kidneys, respiratory tract (air passages and lungs), skin or thyroid are more prone to hydrogen cyanide poisoning. Part of the reason why hydrogen cyanide is considered potentially more dangerous is that some individuals are unable to detect it by smell which creates damage to neurons.