Ecology: Ecological consequences of atmospheric pollution, Test work. Air pollution is a serious environmental problem. Which substances most often pollute the air

OUTLINE: Introduction1. The atmosphere is the outer shell of the biosphere2. Atmospheric pollution3. Environmental consequences of atmospheric pollution7

3.1 Greenhouse effect

3.2 Ozone depletion

3 Acid rain

Conclusion

List of used sourcesIntroductionAtmospheric air is the most important life-supporting natural environment and is a mixture of gases and aerosols of the surface layer of the atmosphere, formed during the evolution of the Earth, human activities and located outside residential, industrial and other premises. Currently, of all forms of degradation of the natural environment in Russia It is the pollution of the atmosphere with harmful substances that is the most dangerous. Features of the environmental situation in certain regions Russian Federation and emerging environmental problems are due to local natural conditions and the nature of the impact on them of industry, transport, utilities and Agriculture. The degree of air pollution depends, as a rule, on the degree of urbanization and industrial development of the territory (the specifics of enterprises, their capacity, location, applied technologies), as well as on climatic conditions that determine the potential for air pollution. The atmosphere has an intense impact not only on humans and the biosphere, but also on the hydrosphere, soil and vegetation cover, geological environment, buildings, structures and other man-made objects. Therefore, the protection of atmospheric air and the ozone layer is the highest priority environmental problem and is given close attention in all developed countries. Man has always used the environment mainly as a source of resources, but for a very long time his activity did not have a noticeable impact on the biosphere. Only at the end of the last century, changes in the biosphere under the influence of economic activity attracted the attention of scientists. In the first half of this century, these changes have been growing and are now like an avalanche hitting human civilization. The pressure on the environment increased especially sharply in the second half of the 20th century. A qualitative leap took place in the relationship between society and nature, when, as a result of a sharp increase in the population, intensive industrialization and urbanization of our planet, economic loads began to exceed the ability to ecological systems for self-purification and regeneration. As a result, the natural circulation of substances in the biosphere was disturbed, and the health of the present and future generations of people was threatened.

The mass of the atmosphere of our planet is negligible - only one millionth of the mass of the Earth. However, its role in the natural processes of the biosphere is enormous. The presence of the atmosphere around the globe determines the general thermal regime of the surface of our planet, protects it from harmful cosmic and ultraviolet radiation. Atmospheric circulation has an impact on local climatic conditions, and through them - on the regime of rivers, soil and vegetation cover and the processes of relief formation.

The modern gas composition of the atmosphere is the result of a long historical development the globe. It is mainly a gas mixture of two components - nitrogen (78.09%) and oxygen (20.95%). Normally, it also contains argon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.03%) and small amounts of inert gases (neon, helium, krypton, xenon), ammonia, methane, ozone, sulfur dioxide and other gases. Along with gases, the atmosphere contains solid particles coming from the Earth's surface (for example, products of combustion, volcanic activity, soil particles) and from space (cosmic dust), as well as various products of plant, animal or microbial origin. In addition, water vapor plays an important role in the atmosphere.

The three gases that make up the atmosphere are of greatest importance for various ecosystems: oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. These gases are involved in the main biogeochemical cycles.

Oxygen plays an important role in the life of most living organisms on our planet. It is necessary for everyone to breathe. Oxygen has not always been part of the earth's atmosphere. It appeared as a result of the vital activity of photosynthetic organisms. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, it turns into ozone. As ozone accumulated, an ozone layer formed in the upper atmosphere. The ozone layer, like a screen, reliably protects the Earth's surface from ultraviolet radiation, which is fatal to living organisms.

The modern atmosphere contains hardly a twentieth of the oxygen available on our planet. The main reserves of oxygen are concentrated in carbonates, organic substances and iron oxides, part of the oxygen is dissolved in water. In the atmosphere, apparently, there was an approximate balance between the production of oxygen in the process of photosynthesis and its consumption by living organisms. But recently there has been a danger that, as a result of human activity, oxygen reserves in the atmosphere may decrease. Of particular danger is the destruction of the ozone layer, which has been observed in recent years. Most scientists attribute this to human activity.

The oxygen cycle in the biosphere is extremely complex, since a large number of organic and inorganic substances, as well as hydrogen, react with it, combining with which oxygen forms water.

Carbon dioxide(carbon dioxide) is used in the process of photosynthesis to form organic substances. It is thanks to this process that the carbon cycle in the biosphere closes. Like oxygen, carbon is a part of soils, plants, animals, and participates in various mechanisms of the circulation of substances in nature. The content of carbon dioxide in the air we breathe is about the same in different parts of the world. The exception is large cities in which the content of this gas in the air is above the norm.

Some fluctuations in the content of carbon dioxide in the air of the area depend on the time of day, the season of the year, and the biomass of vegetation. At the same time, studies show that since the beginning of the century, the average content of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, although slowly, but constantly increases. Scientists associate this process mainly with human activity.

Nitrogen- an irreplaceable biogenic element, since it is part of proteins and nucleic acids. The atmosphere is an inexhaustible reservoir of nitrogen, but most living organisms cannot directly use this nitrogen: it must first be bound in the form of chemical compounds.

Part of the nitrogen comes from the atmosphere to ecosystems in the form of nitric oxide, which is formed under the action of electrical discharges during thunderstorms. However, the main part of nitrogen enters the water and soil as a result of its biological fixation. There are several types of bacteria and blue-green algae (fortunately, very numerous) that are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen. As a result of their activities, as well as due to the decomposition of organic residues in the soil, autotrophic plants are able to absorb the necessary nitrogen.

The nitrogen cycle is closely related to the carbon cycle. Although the nitrogen cycle is more complex than the carbon cycle, it tends to be faster.

Other constituents of the air do not participate in biochemical cycles, but the presence of a large amount of pollutants in the atmosphere can lead to serious violations of these cycles.

2. Air pollution.

Pollution atmosphere. Various negative changes in the Earth's atmosphere are mainly associated with changes in the concentration of minor components of atmospheric air.

There are two main sources of air pollution: natural and anthropogenic. Natural source- these are volcanoes, dust storms, weathering, forest fires, processes of decomposition of plants and animals.

To the main anthropogenic sources atmospheric pollution include enterprises of the fuel and energy complex, transport, various machine-building enterprises.

In addition to gaseous pollutants, a large amount of particulate matter enters the atmosphere. These are dust, soot and soot. Contamination of the natural environment with heavy metals poses a great danger. Lead, cadmium, mercury, copper, nickel, zinc, chromium, vanadium have become almost constant components of the air in industrial centers. The problem of air pollution with lead is particularly acute.

Global air pollution affects the state of natural ecosystems, especially the green cover of our planet. One of the most obvious indicators of the state of the biosphere is forests and their well-being.

Acid rains, caused mainly by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, cause great harm to forest biocenoses. It has been established that conifers suffer from acid rain to a greater extent than broad-leaved ones.

Only on the territory of our country, the total area of forests affected by industrial emissions has reached 1 million hectares. A significant factor in forest degradation in recent years is environmental pollution with radionuclides. So, as a result of an accident on Chernobyl nuclear power plant 2.1 million hectares of forests were affected.

Particularly affected are green spaces in industrial cities, the atmosphere of which contains a large amount of pollutants.

The air environmental problem of ozone depletion, including the appearance of ozone holes over Antarctica and the Arctic, is associated with the excessive use of freons in production and everyday life.

Human economic activity, acquiring an increasingly global character, begins to have a very tangible impact on the processes taking place in the biosphere. You have already learned about some of the results of human activity and their impact on the biosphere. Fortunately, up to a certain level, the biosphere is capable of self-regulation, which makes it possible to minimize the negative consequences of human activity. But there is a limit when the biosphere is no longer able to maintain balance. Irreversible processes begin, leading to ecological disasters. Humanity has already encountered them in a number of regions of the planet.

3. Environmental effects of atmospheric pollution

The most important environmental consequences of global air pollution include:

1) possible climate warming (“greenhouse effect”);

2) violation of the ozone layer;

3) acid rain.

Most scientists in the world consider them as the biggest environmental problems of our time.

3.1 Greenhouse effect

Currently, the observed climate change, which is expressed in a gradual increase in the average annual temperature, starting from the second half of the last century, most scientists associate with the accumulation in the atmosphere of the so-called "greenhouse gases" - carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4), chlorofluorocarbons (freons), ozone (O 3), nitrogen oxides, etc. (see table 9).

Table 9

Anthropogenic atmospheric pollutants and related changes (V.A. Vronsky, 1996)

Note. (+) - increased effect; (-) - decrease in effect

Greenhouse gases, and primarily CO 2 , prevent long-wave thermal radiation from the Earth's surface. An atmosphere rich in greenhouse gases acts like the roof of a greenhouse. On the one hand, it lets in most of the solar radiation, on the other hand, it almost does not let out the heat reradiated by the Earth.

In connection with the burning of more and more fossil fuels: oil, gas, coal, etc. (annually more than 9 billion tons of reference fuel), the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere is constantly increasing. Due to emissions into the atmosphere during industrial production and in everyday life, the content of freons (chlorofluorocarbons) is growing. The content of methane increases by 1-1.5% per year (emissions from underground mine workings, biomass combustion, emissions from cattle, etc.). To a lesser extent, the content of nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere also grows (by 0.3% annually).

A consequence of the increase in the concentrations of these gases, which create a "greenhouse effect", is an increase in the average global air temperature near earth's surface. Over the past 100 years, the warmest years were 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987 and 1988. In 1988, the average annual temperature was 0.4 degrees higher than in 1950-1980. Calculations by some scientists show that in 2005 it will be 1.3 °C higher than in 1950-1980. The report, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations by the international group on climate change, states that by 2100 the temperature on Earth will increase by 2-4 degrees. The scale of warming in this relatively short period will be comparable to the warming that occurred on Earth after the Ice Age, which means that the environmental consequences can be catastrophic. First of all, this is due to the expected rise in the level of the World Ocean, due to the melting of polar ice, the reduction in the areas of mountain glaciation, etc. Modeling the environmental consequences of an increase in ocean level by only 0.5-2.0 m by the end of the 21st century, scientists have found that this will inevitably lead to a violation of the climatic balance, flooding of coastal plains in more than 30 countries, degradation of permafrost, swamping of vast territories and other adverse consequences.

However, a number of scientists see positive environmental consequences in the alleged global warming. An increase in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere and the associated increase in photosynthesis, as well as an increase in climate humidification, can, in their opinion, lead to an increase in the productivity of both natural phytocenoses (forests, meadows, savannahs, etc.) and agrocenoses ( cultivated plants, orchards, vineyards, etc.).

There is also no unanimity of opinion on the issue of the degree of influence of greenhouse gases on global climate warming. Thus, the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1992) notes that the 0.3–0.6 °С climate warming observed in the last century could be due mainly to the natural variability of a number of climatic factors.

At an international conference in Toronto (Canada) in 1985, the world's energy industry was tasked with reducing by 2010 by 20% industrial carbon emissions into the atmosphere. But it is obvious that a tangible environmental effect can only be obtained by combining these measures with a global direction. environmental policy- the maximum possible preservation of communities of organisms, natural ecosystems and the entire biosphere of the Earth.

3.2 Ozone depletion

The ozone layer (ozonosphere) covers the entire globe and is located at altitudes from 10 to 50 km with a maximum ozone concentration at an altitude of 20-25 km. The saturation of the atmosphere with ozone is constantly changing in any part of the planet, reaching a maximum in the spring in the subpolar region. For the first time, the depletion of the ozone layer attracted the attention of the general public in 1985, when an area with a low (up to 50%) ozone content was discovered over Antarctica, which was called "ozone hole". FROM Since then, measurement results have confirmed the widespread depletion of the ozone layer on almost the entire planet. So, for example, in Russia over the past ten years, the concentration of the ozone layer has decreased by 4-6% in winter time and 3% - in the summer. Currently, the depletion of the ozone layer is recognized by all as a serious threat to global environmental security. A decrease in ozone concentration weakens the ability of the atmosphere to protect all life on Earth from hard ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). Living organisms are very vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation, because the energy of even one photon from these rays is enough to destroy chemical bonds in most organic molecules. It is no coincidence that in areas with a low ozone content there are numerous sunburns, an increase in the incidence of skin cancer among people, etc. 6 million people. In addition to skin diseases, it is possible to develop eye diseases (cataracts, etc.), suppression immune system etc. It has also been established that under the influence of strong ultraviolet radiation, plants gradually lose their ability to photosynthesize, and disruption of the vital activity of plankton leads to a break in the trophic chains of the biota of aquatic ecosystems, etc. Science has not yet fully established what are the main processes that deplete the ozone layer. Both natural and anthropogenic origin of "ozone holes" is assumed. The latter, according to most scientists, is more likely and is associated with an increased content chlorofluorocarbons (freons). Freons are widely used in industrial production and in everyday life (cooling units, solvents, sprayers, aerosol packages, etc.). Rising into the atmosphere, freons decompose with the release of chlorine oxide, which has a detrimental effect on ozone molecules. According to the international environmental organization Greenpeace, the main suppliers of chlorofluorocarbons (freons) are the USA - 30.85%, Japan - 12.42%, Great Britain - 8.62% and Russia - 8.0%. The USA punched a "hole" in the ozone layer with an area of 7 million km 2 , Japan - 3 million km 2 , which is seven times larger than the area of Japan itself. Recently, factories have been built in the USA and in a number of Western countries for the production of new types of refrigerants (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) with a low potential for ozone depletion. According to the protocol of the Montreal Conference (1990), later revised in London (1991) and Copenhagen (1992), it was envisaged to reduce chlorofluorocarbon emissions by 50% by 1998. According to Art. 56 of the Law of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, in accordance with international agreements, all organizations and enterprises are required to reduce and subsequently completely stop the production and use of ozone-depleting substances.

A number of scientists continue to insist on the natural origin of the "ozone hole". Some see the reasons for its occurrence in the natural variability of the ozonosphere, the cyclic activity of the Sun, while others associate these processes with rifting and degassing of the Earth.

3.3 Acid rain

One of the most important environmental problems, which is associated with the oxidation of the natural environment, - acid rain . They are formed during industrial emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which, when combined with atmospheric moisture, form sulfuric and nitric acid. As a result, rain and snow are acidified (pH value below 5.6). In Bavaria (Germany) in August 1981 it rained with acidity pH=3.5. The maximum recorded acidity of precipitation in Western Europe- pH=2.3. The total global anthropogenic emissions of the two main air pollutants - the culprits of atmospheric moisture acidification - SO 2 and NO are annually - more than 255 million tons. nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) in the form of acidic compounds contained in precipitation. As can be seen from figure 10, highest loads sulfurs are observed in densely populated and industrial regions of the country.

Figure 10. Average annual sulfate precipitation kg S/sq. km (2006) [according to the site http://www.sci.aha.ru]

High levels of sulfur precipitation (550-750 kg/sq. km per year) and the amount of nitrogen compounds (370-720 kg/sq. km per year) in the form of large areas (several thousand sq. km) are observed in densely populated and industrial regions of the country. An exception to this rule is the situation around the city of Norilsk, the trace of pollution from which exceeds in area and thickness of precipitation in the zone of pollution deposition in the Moscow region, in the Urals.

On the territory of most subjects of the Federation, the deposition of sulfur and nitrate nitrogen from own sources does not exceed 25% of their total deposition. The contribution of own sulfur sources exceeds this threshold in the Murmansk (70%), Sverdlovsk (64%), Chelyabinsk (50%), Tula and Ryazan (40%) regions and in the Krasnoyarsk Territory (43%).

In general, in the European territory of the country, only 34% of sulfur deposits are of Russian origin. Of the rest, 39% comes from European countries and 27% from other sources. At the same time, Ukraine (367 thousand tons), Poland (86 thousand tons), Germany, Belarus and Estonia make the largest contribution to transboundary acidification of the natural environment.

The situation is especially dangerous in the humid climate zone (from Ryazan region and to the north in the European part and everywhere in the Urals), since these regions are distinguished by a natural high acidity of natural waters, which, due to these emissions, increases even more. In turn, this leads to a drop in the productivity of water bodies and an increase in the incidence of teeth and intestinal tract in humans.

Over a vast territory, the natural environment is acidified, which has a very negative impact on the state of all ecosystems. It turned out that natural ecosystems are destroyed even at a lower level of air pollution than that which is dangerous for humans. "Lakes and rivers devoid of fish, dying forests - these are the sad consequences of the industrialization of the planet." The danger is, as a rule, not the acid precipitation itself, but the processes occurring under their influence. Under the influence of acid precipitation, not only vital plants are leached from the soil. nutrients, but also toxic heavy and light metals - lead, cadmium, aluminum, etc. Subsequently, they themselves or the resulting toxic compounds are absorbed by plants and other soil organisms, which leads to very negative consequences.

The impact of acid rain reduces the resistance of forests to droughts, diseases, and natural pollution, which leads to even more pronounced degradation of forests as natural ecosystems.

A prime example negative impact acid rainfall on natural ecosystems is the acidification of lakes . In our country, the area of significant acidification from acid precipitation reaches several tens of million hectares. Particular cases of acidification of lakes have also been noted (Karelia, etc.). Increased acidity of precipitation is observed along the western border (transboundary transport of sulfur and other pollutants) and on the territory of a number of large industrial regions, as well as fragmentarily on the coast of Taimyr and Yakutia.

Conclusion

The protection of nature is the task of our century, a problem that has become a social one. Again and again we hear about the dangers that threaten the environment, but still many of us consider them an unpleasant, but inevitable product of civilization and believe that we will still have time to cope with all the difficulties that have come to light.

However, human impact on the environment has taken on alarming proportions. Only in the second half of the 20th century, thanks to the development of ecology and the spread of ecological knowledge among the population, it became obvious that humanity is an indispensable part of the biosphere, that the conquest of nature, the uncontrolled use of its resources and environmental pollution is a dead end in the development of civilization and in the evolution of man himself. Therefore, the most important condition for the development of mankind is a careful attitude to nature, comprehensive care for the rational use and restoration of its resources, and the preservation of a favorable environment.

However, many do not understand the close relationship between human economic activity and the state of the natural environment.

Broad environmental and environmental education should help people to acquire such environmental knowledge and ethical norms and values, attitudes and lifestyles that are necessary for the sustainable development of nature and society. To fundamentally improve the situation, purposeful and thoughtful actions will be needed. Responsible and efficient environmental policy will only be possible if we accumulate reliable data on state of the art environment, substantiated knowledge about the interaction of important environmental factors, if he develops new methods to reduce and prevent the harm caused to Nature by Man.

Bibliography

1. Akimova T. A., Khaskin V. V. Ecology. Moscow: Unity, 2000.

2. Bezuglaya E.Yu., Zavadskaya E.K. Influence of air pollution on public health. St. Petersburg: Gidrometeoizdat, 1998, pp. 171–199. 3. Galperin M. V. Ecology and basics of nature management. Moscow: Forum-Infra-m, 2003.4. Danilov-Danilyan V.I. Ecology, nature protection and ecological safety. M.: MNEPU, 1997.5. Climatic characteristics of the conditions for the propagation of impurities in the atmosphere. Reference manual / Ed. E.Yu. Bezuglaya and M.E. Berlyand. - Leningrad, Gidrometeoizdat, 1983. 6. Korobkin V. I., Peredelsky L. V. Ecology. Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 2003.7. Protasov V.F. Ecology, health and environmental protection in Russia. M.: Finance and statistics, 1999.8. Wark K., Warner S., Air pollution. Sources and control, trans. from English, M. 1980. 9. Ecological state of the territory of Russia: Textbook for students of higher education. ped. educational institutions/ V.P. Bondarev, L.D. Dolgushin, B.S. Zalogin and others; Ed. S.A. Ushakova, Ya.G. Katz - 2nd ed. M.: Academy, 2004.10. List and codes of substances polluting the atmospheric air. Ed. 6th. SPb., 2005, 290 p.11. Yearbook of the state of air pollution in cities in Russia. 2004.– M.: Meteo agency, 2006, 216 p.

Pollution of the Earth's atmosphere is a change in the natural concentration of gases and impurities in the air shell of the planet, as well as the introduction of alien substances into the environment.

For the first time about at the international level started talking forty years ago. In 1979, the Convention on Transboundary Air Pollution at long distances. The first international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

Although these measures bring results, air pollution remains a serious problem for society.

Substances polluting the atmosphere

The main components of atmospheric air are nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). The share of the inert gas argon is slightly less than a percent. The concentration of carbon dioxide is 0.03%. In small quantities in the atmosphere are also present:

ozone,
neon,
methane,
xenon,
krypton,
nitrous oxide,
sulfur dioxide,
helium and hydrogen.

In clean air masses, carbon monoxide and ammonia are present in the form of traces. In addition to gases, the atmosphere contains water vapor, salt crystals, and dust.

Main air pollutants:

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that affects the heat exchange of the Earth with the surrounding space, and hence the climate.
Carbon monoxide or carbon monoxide, entering the human or animal body, causes poisoning (up to death).
Hydrocarbons are toxic chemicals that irritate the eyes and mucous membranes.
Sulfur derivatives contribute to the formation of acid rain and drying of plants, provoke respiratory diseases and allergies.
Nitrogen derivatives lead to inflammation of the lungs, croup, bronchitis, frequent colds, and exacerbate the course of cardiovascular diseases.
Radioactive substances, accumulating in the body, cause cancer, gene changes, infertility, and premature death.

Air containing heavy metals poses a particular danger to human health. Pollutants such as cadmium, lead, arsenic lead to oncology. Inhaled mercury vapors do not act with lightning speed, but, being deposited in the form of salts, destroy the nervous system. Harmful and volatile in significant concentrations organic matter: terpenoids, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols. Many of these air pollutants are mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds.

Sources and classification of atmospheric pollution

Based on the nature of the phenomenon, the following types of air pollution are distinguished: chemical, physical and biological.

In the first case, an increased concentration of hydrocarbons, heavy metals, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, aldehydes, nitrogen and carbon oxides is observed in the atmosphere.
With biological pollution, the air contains waste products of various organisms, toxins, viruses, spores of fungi and bacteria.
A large amount of dust or radionuclides in the atmosphere indicates physical pollution. The same type includes the consequences of thermal, noise and electromagnetic emissions.

The composition of the air environment is influenced by both man and nature. Natural sources of air pollution: active volcanoes, forest fires, soil erosion, dust storms, decomposition of living organisms. A tiny fraction of the influence falls on cosmic dust formed as a result of the combustion of meteorites.

Anthropogenic sources of air pollution:

enterprises of the chemical, fuel, metallurgical, machine-building industries;
agricultural activities (spraying pesticides with the help of aircraft, animal waste);
thermal power plants, residential heating with coal and wood;
transport (the “dirtiest” types are airplanes and cars).

How is air pollution determined?

When monitoring the quality of atmospheric air in the city, not only the concentration of substances harmful to human health is taken into account, but also the time period of their impact. Atmospheric pollution in the Russian Federation is assessed according to the following criteria:

The standard index (SI) is an indicator obtained by dividing the highest measured single concentration of a pollutant by the maximum allowable concentration of an impurity.
The pollution index of our atmosphere (API) is a complex value, the calculation of which takes into account the hazard coefficient of a pollutant, as well as its concentration - the average annual and the maximum allowable average daily.
The highest frequency (NP) - expressed as a percentage of the frequency of exceeding the maximum allowable concentration (maximum one-time) within a month or a year.

The level of air pollution is considered low when SI is less than 1, API varies between 0–4, and NP does not exceed 10%. Among the major Russian cities, according to Rosstat, the most environmentally friendly are Taganrog, Sochi, Grozny and Kostroma.

With an increased level of emissions into the atmosphere, SI is 1–5, API is 5–6, and NP is 10–20%. The regions with the following indicators are characterized by a high degree of air pollution: SI – 5–10, ISA – 7–13, NP – 20–50%. Highly high level atmospheric pollution is observed in Chita, Ulan-Ude, Magnitogorsk and Beloyarsk.

Cities and countries of the world with the dirtiest air

In May 2016, the World Health Organization published an annual ranking of cities with the dirtiest air. The leader of the list was the Iranian Zabol - a city in the south-east of the country, regularly suffering from sandstorms. This atmospheric phenomenon lasts about four months, repeating every year. The second and third positions were occupied by the Indian cities of Gwalior and Prayag. WHO gave the next place to the capital of Saudi Arabia - Riyadh.

Completing the top five cities with the dirtiest atmosphere is El Jubail - a relatively small place in terms of population on the Persian Gulf and at the same time a large industrial oil producing and refining center. On the sixth and seventh steps again were the Indian cities - Patna and Raipur. The main sources of air pollution there are industrial enterprises and transport.

In most cases, air pollution is an actual problem for developing countries. However, environmental degradation is caused not only by the rapidly growing industry and transport infrastructure, but also by man-made disasters. A vivid example of this is Japan, which survived a radiation accident in 2011.

The top 7 countries where the air condition is recognized as deplorable is as follows:

China. In some regions of the country, the level of air pollution exceeds the norm by 56 times.
India. The largest state of Hindustan leads in the number of cities with the worst ecology.
SOUTH AFRICA. The country's economy is dominated by heavy industry, which is also the main source of pollution.
Mexico. The ecological situation in the capital of the state, Mexico City, has improved markedly over the past twenty years, but smog in the city is still not uncommon.
Indonesia suffers not only from industrial emissions, but also from forest fires.
Japan. The country, despite the widespread landscaping and the use of scientific and technological achievements in the environmental field, regularly faces the problem of acid rain and smog.
Libya. Main source environmental woes of the North African state - the oil industry.

Effects

Atmospheric pollution is one of the main reasons for the increase in the number of respiratory diseases, both acute and chronic. Harmful impurities contained in the air contribute to the development of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. The WHO estimates that 3.7 million people a year die prematurely due to air pollution worldwide. Most of these cases are recorded in countries South-East Asia and the Western Pacific region.

In large industrial centers, such an unpleasant phenomenon as smog is often observed. The accumulation of particles of dust, water and smoke in the air reduces visibility on the roads, which increases the number of accidents. Aggressive substances increase the corrosion of metal structures, adversely affect the state of flora and fauna. Smog poses the greatest danger to asthmatics, people suffering from emphysema, bronchitis, angina pectoris, hypertension, VVD. Even healthy people who inhale aerosols can have a severe headache, lacrimation and sore throat can be observed.

Saturation of the air with oxides of sulfur and nitrogen leads to the formation of acid rain. After precipitation with a low pH level, fish die in water bodies, and surviving individuals cannot give birth. As a result, the species and numerical composition of populations is reduced. Acid precipitation leaches out nutrients, thereby impoverishing the soil. They leave chemical burns on the leaves, weaken the plants. For the human habitat, such rains and fogs also pose a threat: acidic water corrodes pipes, cars, building facades, monuments.

An increased amount of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, ozone, methane, water vapor) in the air leads to an increase in the temperature of the lower layers of the Earth's atmosphere. A direct consequence of the greenhouse effect is climate warming, which has been observed over the past sixty years.

Weather conditions are also significantly affected by “ozone holes” formed under the influence of bromine, chlorine, oxygen and hydrogen atoms. In addition to simple substances, ozone molecules can also destroy organic and inorganic compounds: freon derivatives, methane, hydrogen chloride. Why is the weakening of the shield dangerous for the environment and humans? Due to the thinning of the layer, solar activity is growing, which, in turn, leads to an increase in mortality among representatives of marine flora and fauna, an increase in the number of oncological diseases.

How to make the air cleaner?

To reduce air pollution allows the introduction of technologies that reduce emissions in production. In the field of thermal power engineering, one should rely on alternative energy sources: build solar, wind, geothermal, tidal and wave power plants. The state of the air environment is positively affected by the transition to combined generation of energy and heat.

In the fight for clean air, an important element of the strategy is comprehensive program for waste disposal. It should be aimed at reducing the amount of waste, as well as its sorting, processing or reuse. Urban planning aimed at improving the environment, including the air, involves improving the energy efficiency of buildings, building cycling infrastructure, and developing high-speed urban transport.

The main pollutants of atmospheric air, formed both in the course of human economic activity and as a result of natural processes, are sulfur dioxide SO 2 , carbon dioxide CO 2 , nitrogen oxides NO x , particulate matter - aerosols. Their share is 98% in the total emissions of harmful substances. In addition to these main pollutants, more than 70 types of harmful substances are observed in the atmosphere: formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, compounds of lead and other heavy metals, ammonia, carbon disulfide, etc.

Environmental effects of atmospheric pollution

The most important environmental consequences of global air pollution include:

possible climate warming (greenhouse effect);
violation of the ozone layer;
acid rain;
deterioration of health.

Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is an increase in the temperature of the lower layers of the Earth's atmosphere compared to the effective temperature, i.e. the temperature of the planet's thermal radiation observed from space.

In December 1997, at a meeting in Kyoto (Japan) dedicated to global climate change, delegates from more than 160 countries adopted a convention obliging developed countries to reduce CO2 emissions. The Kyoto Protocol obliges 38 industrialized countries to reduce by 2008-2012. CO2 emissions by 5% of 1990 levels:

The European Union must cut CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions by 8%,
USA - by 7%,
Japan - by 6%.

The protocol provides for a system of quotas for greenhouse gas emissions. Its essence lies in the fact that each of the countries (so far this applies only to thirty-eight countries that have committed themselves to reduce emissions) receives permission to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. At the same time, it is assumed that some countries or companies will exceed the emission quota. In such cases, these countries or companies will be able to buy the right to additional emissions from those countries or companies whose emissions are less than the allocated quota. Thus, it is assumed that the main goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the next 15 years by 5% will be achieved.

As other causes of climate warming, scientists call the volatility of solar activity, change magnetic field Earth and atmospheric electric field.

Remedies

To protect the atmosphere from negative anthropogenic impact, the following main measures are used.

1. Greening of technological processes:

1.1. creation of closed technological cycles, low-waste technologies that exclude the release of harmful substances into the atmosphere;
1.2. reduction of pollution from thermal installations: district heating, preliminary purification of fuel from sulfur compounds, use alternative sources energy, switching to higher quality fuels (from coal to natural gas);
1.3. reduction of pollution from vehicles: the use of electric vehicles, exhaust gas cleaning, the use of catalytic converters for afterburning fuel, the development of hydrogen transport, the transfer of traffic flows out of the city.

2. Purification of technological gas emissions from harmful impurities.
3. Dispersion of gas emissions in the atmosphere. Dispersion is carried out with the help of high chimneys (over 300 m high). This is a temporary, forced measure, which is carried out due to the fact that the existing treatment facilities do not provide complete purification of emissions from harmful substances.
4. Arrangement of sanitary protection zones, architectural and planning solutions.

Sanitary protection zone (SPZ)- this is a strip separating sources of industrial pollution from residential or public buildings to protect the population from the influence harmful factors production. The width of the SPZ is set depending on the class of production, the degree of harmfulness and the amount of substances released into the atmosphere (50–1000 m).

Architectural and planning solutions- correct mutual placement of emission sources and populated areas, taking into account the direction of the winds, construction highways bypassing settlements, etc.

Emission Treatment Equipment:

devices for cleaning gas emissions from aerosols (dust, ash, soot);
devices for cleaning emissions from gas and vapor impurities (NO, NO 2, SO 2, SO 3, etc.)

Devices for cleaning technological emissions into the atmosphere from aerosols. Dry dust collectors (cyclones)

Dry dust collectors are designed for coarse mechanical cleaning of coarse and heavy dust. The principle of operation is the settling of particles under the action of centrifugal force and gravity. Cyclones are widespread various kinds: single, group, battery.

The diagram (Fig. 16) shows a simplified design of a single cyclone. The dust-gas flow is introduced into the cyclone through the inlet pipe 2, twists and performs a rotational-translational movement along the body 1. Dust particles are thrown away under the action of centrifugal forces to the wall of the body, and then, under the action of gravity, they are collected in a dust bin 4, from where they are periodically removed. The gas, freed from dust, turns 180º and exits the cyclone through pipe 3.

Wet dust collectors (scrubbers)

Wet dust collectors are characterized by high cleaning efficiency from fine dust up to 2 microns in size. They work on the principle of deposition of dust particles on the surface of drops under the action of inertial forces or Brownian motion.

The dusty gas flow is directed through pipe 1 to liquid mirror 2, on which the largest dust particles are deposited. Then the gas rises towards the flow of liquid droplets supplied through the nozzles, where it is cleaned from fine dust particles.

Filters

Designed for fine purification of gases due to the deposition of dust particles (up to 0.05 microns) on the surface of porous filtering partitions (Fig. 18). According to the type of filtering load, fabric filters (fabric, felt, sponge rubber) and granular ones are distinguished. The choice of filter material is determined by the requirements for cleaning and working conditions: degree of cleaning, temperature, gas aggressiveness, humidity, amount and size of dust, etc.

Electrostatic precipitators

Electrostatic precipitators – effective method cleaning from suspended dust particles (0.01 microns), from oil mist. The principle of operation is based on the ionization and deposition of particles in electric field. At the surface of the corona electrode, the dust-gas flow is ionized. By acquiring a negative charge, dust particles move towards the collecting electrode, which has a sign opposite to the charge of the corona electrode. As dust particles accumulate on the electrodes, they fall by gravity into the dust collector or are removed by shaking.

Outdoor air pollution

Atmospheric air pollution should be understood as any change in its composition and properties that has a negative impact on human and animal health, the state of plants and ecosystems.

Atmospheric pollution can be natural (natural) and anthropogenic (technogenic).

natural pollution air is caused by natural processes. These include volcanic activity, weathering rocks, wind erosion, mass flowering of plants, smoke from forest and steppe fires, etc. Anthropogenic pollution associated with the release of various pollutants in the process of human activity. In terms of its scale, it significantly exceeds natural air pollution.

Depending on the extent of distribution, there are different types atmospheric pollution: local, regional and global. local pollution is characterized by an increased content of pollutants in small areas (city, industrial area, agricultural zone, etc.). regional pollution significant areas are involved in the sphere of negative impact, but not the entire planet. Global pollution associated with changes in the state of the atmosphere as a whole.

According to the state of aggregation, emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere are classified into:

1) gaseous (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, etc.)

2) liquid (acids, alkalis, salt solutions, etc.);

3) solid (carcinogenic substances, lead and its compounds, organic and inorganic dust, soot, tarry substances, etc.).

The most dangerous pollution of the atmosphere is radioactive. At present, it is mainly due to globally distributed long-lived radioactive isotopes - products of nuclear weapons tests conducted in the atmosphere and underground. The surface layer of the atmosphere is also polluted by emissions of radioactive substances into the atmosphere from operating nuclear power plants during their normal operation and other sources.

Another form of atmospheric pollution is local excess heat input from anthropogenic sources. A sign of thermal (thermal) pollution of the atmosphere is the so-called thermal tones, for example, a “heat island” in cities, warming of water bodies, etc.

In general, judging by official data for 1997-1999, the level of atmospheric air pollution in our country, especially in Russian cities, remains high, despite a significant decline in production, which is associated primarily with an increase in the number of cars, including - faulty.

Environmental effects of atmospheric pollution

Air pollution affects human health and the environment different ways- from a direct and immediate threat (smog, etc.) to a slow and gradual destruction various systems life support of the body. In many cases, air pollution disrupts the structural components of the ecosystem to such an extent that regulatory processes are unable to return them to their original state, and as a result, the homeostasis mechanism does not work.

First, consider how it affects the environment local (local) pollution atmosphere, and then global.

The physiological impact on the human body of the main pollutants (pollutants) is fraught with the most serious consequences. Thus, sulfur dioxide combines with moisture to form sulfuric acid, which destroys the lung tissue of humans and animals. This relationship is especially clearly seen in the analysis of childhood pulmonary pathology and the degree of sulfur dioxide concentration in the atmosphere of large cities.

Dust containing silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) causes severe lung disease - silicosis. Nitrogen oxides irritate and, in severe cases, corrode mucous membranes, for example, eyes, lungs, participate in the formation of poisonous mists, etc. They are especially dangerous if they are contained in polluted air together with sulfur dioxide and other toxic compounds. In these cases, even at low concentrations of pollutants, a synergistic effect occurs, i.e., an increase in the toxicity of the entire gaseous mixture.

The effect of carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide) on the human body is widely known. In acute poisoning, general weakness, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, loss of consciousness appear, and death is possible (even after three to seven days). However, due to the low concentration of CO in the atmospheric air, as a rule, it does not cause mass poisoning, although it is very dangerous for people suffering from anemia and cardiovascular diseases.

Among the suspended solid particles, the most dangerous particles are less than 5 microns in size, which can penetrate the lymph nodes, linger in the alveoli of the lungs, and clog the mucous membranes.

Anabiosis- temporary suspension of all vital processes.

Very unfavorable consequences, which can affect a huge time interval, are also associated with such minor emissions as lead, benzo (a) pyrene, phosphorus, cadmium, arsenic, cobalt, etc. They depress the hematopoietic system, cause oncological diseases, reduce the body's resistance to infections, etc. Dust containing lead and mercury compounds has mutagenic properties and causes genetic changes in the cells of the body.

The consequences of exposure to the human body of harmful substances contained in the exhaust gases of cars are very serious and have the widest range of action:

London type of smog occurs in winter in large industrial cities under adverse weather conditions (lack of wind and temperature inversion). Temperature inversion manifests itself in an increase in air temperature with height in a certain layer of the atmosphere (usually in the range of 300-400 m from the earth's surface) instead of the usual decrease. As a result, atmospheric air circulation is severely disrupted, smoke and pollutants cannot rise up and are not dispersed. Often there are fogs. Concentrations of sulfur oxides, suspended dust, carbon monoxide reach dangerous levels for human health, lead to circulatory and respiratory disorders, and often to death.

Los Angeles type of smog or photochemical smog, no less dangerous than London. It occurs in the summer with intense exposure to solar radiation on air saturated, or rather supersaturated with car exhaust gases.

Anthropogenic emissions of pollutants in high concentrations and for a long time cause great harm not only to humans, but also negatively affect animals, the state of plants and ecosystems as a whole.

Ecological literature describes cases of mass poisoning of wild animals, birds, and insects due to emissions of harmful pollutants of high concentration (especially salvos). Thus, for example, it has been established that when certain toxic types of dust settle on melliferous plants, a noticeable increase in the mortality of bees is observed. As for large animals, the poisonous dust in the atmosphere affects them mainly through the respiratory organs, as well as entering the body along with the dusty plants eaten.

Toxic substances enter plants in various ways. It has been established that emissions of harmful substances act both directly on the green parts of plants, getting through the stomata into tissues, destroying chlorophyll and cell structure, and through the soil to the root system. So, for example, soil contamination with dust of toxic metals, especially in combination with sulfuric acid, has a detrimental effect on the root system, and through it on the whole plant.

Gaseous pollutants affect vegetation in different ways. Some only slightly damage leaves, needles, shoots (carbon monoxide, ethylene, etc.), others have a detrimental effect on plants (sulfur dioxide, chlorine, mercury vapor, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, etc.) Sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), under the influence of which many trees die, and first of all conifers - pines, spruces, firs, cedars.

As a result of the impact of highly toxic pollutants on plants, there is a slowdown in their growth, the formation of necrosis at the ends of leaves and needles, failure of assimilation organs, etc. An increase in the surface of damaged leaves can lead to a decrease in moisture consumption from the soil, its general waterlogging, which will inevitably affect in her habitat.

Can vegetation recover after exposure to harmful pollutants is reduced? This will largely depend on the restoring capacity of the remaining green mass and the general condition of natural ecosystems. At the same time, it should be noted that low concentrations of individual pollutants not only do not harm plants, but, like cadmium salt, for example, stimulate seed germination, wood growth, and the growth of some plant organs.

Environmental effects of atmospheric pollution

The most important environmental consequences of global air pollution include:

1) possible climate warming (“greenhouse effect”);

2) violation of the ozone layer;

3) acid rain.

Most scientists in the world consider them as the biggest environmental problems of our time.

Greenhouse effect

Table 9

Anthropogenic pollutants of the atmosphere and related changes (V. A. Vronsky, 1996)

Note. (+) - increased effect; (-) - decrease in effect

A consequence of the increase in the concentrations of these gases, which create a "greenhouse effect", is an increase in the average global air temperature near the earth's surface. Over the past 100 years, the warmest years were 1980, 1981, 1983, 1987 and 1988. In 1988, the average annual temperature was 0.4 degrees higher than in 1950-1980. Calculations by some scientists show that in 2005 it will be 1.3 °C higher than in 1950-1980. The report, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations by the international group on climate change, states that by 2100 the temperature on Earth will increase by 2-4 degrees. The scale of warming in this relatively short period will be comparable to the warming that occurred on Earth after the Ice Age, which means that the environmental consequences can be catastrophic. First of all, this is due to the expected rise in the level of the World Ocean, due to the melting of polar ice, the reduction in the areas of mountain glaciation, etc. Modeling the environmental consequences of an increase in ocean level by only 0.5-2.0 m by the end of the 21st century, scientists have found that this will inevitably lead to a violation of the climatic balance, flooding of coastal plains in more than 30 countries, degradation of permafrost, swamping of vast territories and other adverse consequences.

However, a number of scientists see positive environmental consequences in the alleged global warming. An increase in the concentration of CO 2 in the atmosphere and the associated increase in photosynthesis, as well as an increase in climate humidification, can, in their opinion, lead to an increase in the productivity of both natural phytocenoses (forests, meadows, savannahs, etc.) and agrocenoses (cultivated plants, gardens , vineyards, etc.).

At an international conference in Toronto (Canada) in 1985, the world's energy industry was tasked with reducing by 2010 by 20% industrial carbon emissions into the atmosphere. But it is obvious that a tangible environmental effect can only be obtained by combining these measures with the global direction of environmental policy - the maximum possible preservation of communities of organisms, natural ecosystems and the entire biosphere of the Earth.

Ozone depletion

For the first time, the depletion of the ozone layer attracted the attention of the general public in 1985, when an area with a low (up to 50%) ozone content, called the "ozone hole", was discovered over Antarctica. FROM Since then, measurement results have confirmed the widespread depletion of the ozone layer on almost the entire planet. For example, in Russia over the past ten years, the concentration of the ozone layer has decreased by 4-6% in winter and by 3% in summer. Currently, the depletion of the ozone layer is recognized by all as a serious threat to global environmental security. A decrease in ozone concentration weakens the ability of the atmosphere to protect all life on Earth from hard ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). Living organisms are very vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation, because the energy of even one photon from these rays is enough to destroy the chemical bonds in most organic molecules. It is no coincidence that in areas with a low ozone content there are numerous sunburns, an increase in the incidence of skin cancer among people, etc. 6 million people. In addition to skin diseases, it is possible to develop eye diseases (cataracts, etc.), suppression of the immune system, etc.

It has also been established that under the influence of strong ultraviolet radiation, plants gradually lose their ability to photosynthesis, and disruption of the vital activity of plankton leads to a break in the trophic chains of the biota of aquatic ecosystems, etc.

Science has not yet fully established what are the main processes that violate the ozone layer. Both natural and anthropogenic origin of "ozone holes" is assumed. The latter, according to most scientists, is more likely and is associated with an increased content of chlorofluorocarbons (freons). Freons are widely used in industrial production and in everyday life (cooling units, solvents, sprayers, aerosol packages, etc.). Rising into the atmosphere, freons decompose with the release of chlorine oxide, which has a detrimental effect on ozone molecules.

According to the international environmental organization Greenpeace, the main suppliers of chlorofluorocarbons (freons) are the USA - 30.85%, Japan - 12.42%, Great Britain - 8.62% and Russia - 8.0%. The USA punched a "hole" in the ozone layer with an area of 7 million km 2 , Japan - 3 million km 2 , which is seven times larger than the area of Japan itself. Recently, factories have been built in the USA and in a number of Western countries for the production of new types of refrigerants (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) with a low potential for ozone depletion.

According to the protocol of the Montreal Conference (1990), later revised in London (1991) and Copenhagen (1992), it was envisaged to reduce chlorofluorocarbon emissions by 50% by 1998. According to Art. 56 of the Law of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, in accordance with international agreements, all organizations and enterprises are required to reduce and subsequently completely stop the production and use of ozone-depleting substances.

acid rain

One of the most important environmental problems, which is associated with the oxidation of the natural environment, is acid rain. . They are formed during industrial emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which, when combined with atmospheric moisture, form sulfuric and nitric acids. As a result, rain and snow are acidified (pH value below 5.6). In Bavaria (Germany) in August 1981 it rained with acidity pH=3.5. The maximum recorded acidity of precipitation in Western Europe is pH=2.3.

The total global anthropogenic emissions of the two main air pollutants - the culprits of atmospheric moisture acidification - SO 2 and NO, are annually - more than 255 million tons.

According to Roshydromet, annually at least 4.22 million tons of sulfur falls on the territory of Russia, 4.0 million tons. nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium) in the form of acidic compounds contained in precipitation. As can be seen from Figure 10, the highest sulfur loads are observed in the densely populated and industrial regions of the country.

Figure 10. Average annual sulfate precipitation kg S/sq. km (2006)

The situation is especially dangerous in the humid climate zone (from the Ryazan region and to the north in the European part and everywhere in the Urals), since these regions are distinguished by a natural high acidity of natural waters, which, due to these emissions, increases even more. In turn, this leads to a drop in the productivity of water bodies and an increase in the incidence of teeth and intestinal tract in humans.

The danger is, as a rule, not the acid precipitation itself, but the processes occurring under their influence. Under the action of acid precipitation, not only vital nutrients for plants are leached from the soil, but also toxic heavy and light metals - lead, cadmium, aluminum, etc. Subsequently, they themselves or the resulting toxic compounds are absorbed by plants and other soil organisms, which leads to very negative consequences.

The impact of acid rain reduces the resistance of forests to droughts, diseases, and natural pollution, which leads to even more pronounced degradation of forests as natural ecosystems.

A striking example of the negative impact of acid precipitation on natural ecosystems is the acidification of lakes. In our country, the area of significant acidification from acid precipitation reaches several tens of million hectares. Particular cases of acidification of lakes have also been noted (Karelia, etc.). Increased acidity of precipitation is observed along the western border (transboundary transport of sulfur and other pollutants) and on the territory of a number of large industrial regions, as well as fragmentarily on the coast of Taimyr and Yakutia.

Air pollution monitoring

Observations of the level of air pollution in the cities of the Russian Federation are carried out by the territorial bodies of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Roshydromet). Roshydromet ensures the functioning and development of the unified State Environmental Monitoring Service. Roshydromet is a federal executive body that organizes and conducts observations, assessments and forecasts of the state of atmospheric pollution, simultaneously ensuring control over the receipt of similar observation results by various organizations in cities. The functions of Roshydromet in the field are performed by the Department for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (UGMS) and its subdivisions.

According to 2006 data, the air pollution monitoring network in Russia includes 251 cities with 674 stations. Regular observations on the Roshydromet network are carried out in 228 cities at 619 stations (see Fig. 11).

Figure 11. Air pollution monitoring network - main stations (2006).

Stations are located in residential areas, near highways and large industrial enterprises. In Russian cities, concentrations of more than 20 different substances are measured. In addition to direct data on the concentration of impurities, the system is supplemented by information on meteorological conditions, the location of industrial enterprises and their emissions, measurement methods, etc. On the basis of these data, their analysis and processing, Yearbooks of the state of atmospheric pollution on the territory of the relevant Department for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring are prepared. Further generalization of information is carried out at the Main Geophysical Observatory. A. I. Voeikov in St. Petersburg. Here it is collected and constantly replenished; on its basis, yearbooks of the state of air pollution in Russia are created and published. They contain the results of the analysis and processing of extensive information on air pollution by many harmful substances in Russia as a whole and in some of the most polluted cities, information on climatic conditions and emissions of harmful substances from numerous enterprises, on the location of the main sources of emissions and on the air pollution monitoring network.

Data on air pollution are important both for assessing the level of pollution and for assessing the risk of morbidity and mortality in the population. In order to assess the state of air pollution in cities, pollution levels are compared with the maximum allowable concentrations (MPC) of substances in the air of populated areas or with the values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Measures for the protection of atmospheric air

I. Legislative. The most important thing in ensuring a normal process for the protection of atmospheric air is the adoption of an appropriate legislative framework that would stimulate and help in this difficult process. However, in Russia, however regrettable it may sound, there has been no significant progress in this area in recent years. The latest pollution that we are now facing, the world has already experienced 30-40 years ago and took protective measures, so we do not need to reinvent the wheel. It is necessary to use the experience of developed countries and adopt laws that limit pollution, give state subsidies to manufacturers of cleaner cars and benefits for owners of such cars.

In the US in 1998, a law to prevent further air pollution, passed by Congress four years ago, will come into force. This timeframe gives the auto industry time to adapt to the new requirements, but by 1998, be kind enough to produce at least 2 percent of electric vehicles and 20-30 percent of gas-fueled vehicles.

Even earlier, laws were passed there, prescribing the production of more economical engines. And here is the result: in 1974, the average car in the United States used 16.6 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, and twenty years later - only 7.7.

We are trying to follow the same path. In the State Duma there is a draft law "On public policy in the field of using natural gas as a motor fuel”. This law provides for the reduction of the toxicity of emissions from trucks and buses, as a result of their conversion to gas. If state support is provided, it is quite realistic to make it so that by the year 2000 we would have 700,000 gas-powered vehicles (today there are 80,000).

However, our car manufacturers are in no hurry, they prefer to create obstacles to the adoption of laws that limit their monopoly and reveal the mismanagement and technical backwardness of our production. The year before last, an analysis by Moskompriroda showed the terrible technical condition of domestic cars. 44% of Muscovites that left the AZLK assembly line did not comply with GOST in terms of toxicity! At ZIL, there were 11% of such cars, at GAZ - up to 6%. This is a shame for our automotive industry - even one percent is unacceptable.

In general, in Russia there is practically no normal legislative framework that would regulate environmental relations and stimulate environmental protection measures.

II. Architectural planning. These measures are aimed at regulating the construction of enterprises, planning urban development taking into account environmental considerations, greening cities, etc. When building enterprises, it is necessary to adhere to the rules established by law and prevent the construction of harmful industries within the city limits. It is necessary to carry out mass greening of cities, because green spaces absorb many harmful substances and contribute to the purification of the atmosphere. Unfortunately, in the modern period in Russia, green spaces are not so much increasing as they are declining. Not to mention the fact that the "dormitory areas" built at the time do not stand up to scrutiny. Since in these areas the houses of the same type are located too densely (in order to save space) and the air between them is subject to stagnation.

The problem of the rational arrangement of the road network in cities, as well as the quality of the roads themselves, is also extremely acute. It is no secret that the roads thoughtlessly built in their time are completely not designed for the modern number of cars. In Perm, this problem is extremely acute and is one of the most important. An urgent construction of a bypass road is needed to unload the city center from transit heavy vehicles. There is also a need for a major reconstruction (rather than cosmetic repairs) of the road surface, the construction of modern transport interchanges, straightening of roads, installation of sound barriers and landscaping of the roadside. Fortunately, despite the financial difficulties, recent progress has been made in this area.

It is also necessary to ensure operational monitoring of the state of the atmosphere through a network of permanent and mobile monitoring stations. It is also necessary to ensure at least minimal control over the cleanliness of vehicle emissions through special checks. It is also impossible to allow combustion processes in various landfills, since in this case a large amount of harmful substances are released with smoke.

III. Technological and sanitary technical. The following measures can be singled out: rationalization of fuel combustion processes; improved sealing of factory equipment; installation of high pipes; mass use of cleaning devices, etc. It should be noted that the level treatment facilities in Russia is at a primitive level, many enterprises do not have them at all, and this despite the harmfulness of emissions from these enterprises.

Many industries require immediate reconstruction and re-equipment. An important task is also to convert various boiler houses and thermal power plants to gas fuel. With such a transition, emissions of soot and hydrocarbons into the atmosphere are many times reduced, not to mention the economic benefits.

An equally important task is to educate Russians in ecological consciousness. The absence of treatment facilities, of course, can be explained by the lack of money (and there is a lot of truth in this), but even if the money is there, they prefer to spend it on anything but the environment. The absence of elementary ecological thinking is especially noticeable at the present time. If in the West there are programs through which the foundations of ecological thinking are laid in children from childhood, then in Russia there has not yet been significant progress in this area. Until a generation with a fully formed environmental consciousness appears in Russia, there will be no significant progress in understanding and preventing the environmental consequences of human activity.

The main task of mankind in the modern period is the full awareness of the importance of environmental problems, and their cardinal solution in a short time. It is necessary to develop new methods of obtaining energy, based not on the destructurization of substances, but on other processes. Humanity as a whole must take up the solution of these problems, because if nothing is done, the Earth will soon cease to exist as a planet suitable for living organisms.