Kayla Robbins & Charmian Chan Semester 1 Project Explore the following environmental threats to life on earth: Climate

Change: Is the change in global climate patterns from the mid to late 20th century onwards. This is due to the increase of CO2 levels in the atmosphere, mostly because of the process of combustion of fossil fuels, cement manufacturing, deforestation, animal agriculture etc. The cause is also due to biotic processes, variations in solar radiation received by Earth, volcanic eruptions and plate tectonics.Climate changes can be considered as many other changes other than increase in temperature, for example, precipitation patterns & sea level and increases in frequency of harsh weather related events. One of the main problems climate change rise is the Arctic sea ice loss. The rapid decline in sea ice by thickness and by area contributes greatly to the fluctuation of climate. Sea ice is the frozen seawater that floats on the ocean water. Satellite observations depict that Arctic sea ice is declining at a rate of 11.5% per ten years. http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence

Water Pollution: Water pollution is not uncommon in many countries globally, first world and developing alike. As a result of non eco-friendly transportation such as boats and jet skis leaking gasoline and oils into the oceans, tainted drinking water from various pollutants such as alkaline soaps and detergents, manufactured materials or metals such as mercury and lead, and an abundance of

plastic litter. The problem water pollution problem has become so hazardous and colossal that a large floating island of trash, twice the size of Texas state known as the Pacific Garbage Patch or Pacific Vortex floats in the midst of the pacific ocean. The Pacific Vortex is not only harmful to the environment and surround ecosystems below the surface of the water, but also animals such as birds above. As much as 9% of the Pacific Vortex waste is ingested by animals annually. http://www.nrdc.org/water/ http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2011/07/03/plastic-found-in-nine-percent-of-garbage-patchfishes-tens-of-thousands-of-tons-of-debris-annually-ingested/ http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/chemical.html http://www.eniscuola.net/en/water/contenuti/inquinamento-dell-acqua/left/sea-pollution/heavymetal-pollution/

Toxins in Food and Soil: The largest contributors to the intoxication problem involved in foods and soil are the harmful pesticides used as a strategic method in modern agriculture to grow crops with minimal insect contamination and/or rotting. These pesticides arent just unhealthy for regular consumption but also interfere with the ecosystems natural nitrogen cycle. Consequently, with a high amount of

pesticides and toxins used on harvests absorbed by the soil and a non-frequent atmospheric fixation, large amounts of pesticides contribute to growing ecological concerns such as algal bloom. Active ingredients in pesticide agents used to exterminate and repel insects include glyphosate, atrazine, chlorpyrifos, metolachlor and metam sodium. http://www.naturalnews.com/031949_pesticides_toxins.html http://www.organicauthority.com/health/invisible-monsters-5-of-the-most-common-pesticides-atheir-impact-on-your-health.html http://www.h2ou.com/h2images/NitrogenCycle-lgr-F.jpg http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/Water-Management/Water-quality/Algal-information/What-causesalgal-blooms/What-causes-algal-blooms/default.aspx Depleting ozone layer: The ozone layer is a layer in the Earths stratosphere of natural ozone gas located 9.3 to 18.6 miles above the Earth. It acts as a sponge absorbing the ultraviolet B radiation from hitting the Earth. The deterioration of the ozone layer is because of the increase pollution that has the chemicals bromine and chlorine. It is also due to devices such as the CFC chemicals from aerosol sprays and the use and production of halons. Several acts such as the original Protocol were issued to reduce the production and use of another substance harmful to the ozone layer, chlorofluorocarbon. Several other things that contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer is using of too much energy, wasting water, even simple acts like driving your car can affect the ozone layer. The effects of the deterioration of ozone layer are severe, these include skin cancer, cataracts (clouding in the eye lens) in humans etc. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/ozone-depletionoverview/ http://www.epa.gov/ozone/science/sc_fact.html http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/ozone-depletion-causes.html http://www.ec.gc.ca/toxiques-toxics/default.asp?lang=En&n=689D6C2A-1

Air Pollution There are a substantial amount of chemical contributors to the pollution in the atmosphere, both visible and invisible. For instance, smog emitted from factories are the most prominent, however the tremendous and unnatural amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the number one greenhouse gas agent causing global warming. Additional chemicals in the air include sulfur dioxide and methane, emanated by livestock and factories. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is not only released by factories but also from nearly every mode of transportation used on a daily basis, such as most automobiles, water transport and vehicles used for air travel. http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/pollution-overview/

Research Reactions that contribute to these environmental threats: Climate Change: An example of a reaction that takes place and contributes to climate change is the combustion of fossil fuels. This is a redox reaction between octane and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. Balanced Equation: 2C8H18(aq) + 25 O2(g) --> 16 CO2(g)+ 18H2O(l) Oxidized: Hydrogen Reduced: Carbon Oxidation agent: Carbon Reducing agent: Hydrogen Net Ionic Equation: 16C(aq)4- + 18H2(aq)+ + 25O2(g) --> 16CO2(g) + 18H2O(l) Water Pollution An example of a reaction that takes place is the chemical reaction between Sodium Hydroxide and water. (Salts produced by the reaction are harmful to the environment and deadly if consumed) Reaction between Sodium Hydroxide and water is known as dilation. Balanced Equation: 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g) The reaction between sodium hydroxide and water is a reduction/oxidation reaction. Oxidation agent (reduced substance): Oxygen Reducing agent (oxidized substance): Hydrogen Two electrons are transferred as a result of the reaction. Net Ionic Equation: 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) 2Na+ (aq) + 2OH-(aq) + H2+(g)

Depleting Ozone Layer (FIND STATES FOR EQUATIONS) Hydrofluorocarbons are used in everyday household equipment such as refrigerators and air conditioning. When Hydrofluorocarbons are released into the atmosphere in large amounts, not unusual in large municipalities or populated areas, it can impact the stratosphere greatly and help to deplete the ozone layer. Hydrofluorocarbons do not react with any substances to hurt the atmosphere however hydrogen, fluorine and carbon react with each other to create hydrofluorocarbon. Hydrofluorocarbon is completely man made and does not exist in nature. Balanced Equation: 2C (aq) + 2H2(g) + 2F(aq) C2H4F2(aq) This reaction is not a redox reaction. Net Ionic Equation: 2C(aq) + 2H2(g) + 2F(aq) C2(aq) + H4(aq) + F2(aq)

Air Pollution Livestock (particularly cows) release large amounts of cows when emitting. CH4(aq) + 2O2(aq) CO2(g) +2H2O (l)

(This is all we had done up until the email)