Geography- Air Quality.
Spatial Dimension. *Air Quality differs between places, at different times and under different weather patterns.
*Increasing population and demand for more goods puts greater pressure on air quality.
Ecological Dimension. *Human Interactions include transport, industrial activities, smoking, dust storms form overgrazing on marginal land, bushfires and burning fossil fuels.
Processes. *The sun is a source of energy for the circulation of the atmosphere and changing weather patterns.
*Topography plays an important role in temperature inversions.
Impacts. *Smog, enhanced greenhouse effect, asthma, lung cancer, lead poisoning and the death of vegetation.
Responses of individuals and groups. *National Environment Protection Measure, polluter-pays principle, EPA monitoring, unleaded petrol, catalytic converters, increased use of public transport, energy alternatives such as solar power.
Research action plan questions. *How can renewable energy improve air quality?
*How can active citizens work for a cleaner atmosphere?
*What laws restrict pollutants entering the air?
Spatial Dimension.
Air quality is specifically a problem in cities and industrial areas. Five reasons why it is a problem is because:
1. It has an unpleasant odour.
2. Causes irritation to our senses.
3. Reduces visibility, via smog, etc.
4. It destroys our ozone layer for future generations causing further global warming.
5. Damages property and other natural areas such as oceans, parks, etc.
Ecological Dimension.
Humans contribute to this problem of deteriorating air pressure by using transport that burns fossil fuels such the motor car. Motor vehicles are the most significant source of Air pollution in Australian cities. Coal is also another fossil fuel that is burnt to provide us with electricity, warmth and power. In NSW alone, coal is used to generate about 93% of the electricity used. This produces ash particles, NOx and reactive VOCs. Other...