CHAPTER 2 EARTH STRUCTURE

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Earth Structure

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Structure of Earth
Zone
Atmosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere Crust Mantle

Main constituents
N2, O2, H2O, particles, particulates H2O H2O, Organic material Silicate rocks, oxide, sulfite minerals Silicate materials, Fe & Mg silicates

Condition
Gas, liquid, solid Liquid Solid, liquid, gas, colloidal Solid (with water and air) Solid

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Liquid Solid

Core
The inner most part of the earth. Divided into inner core and outer core. Inner core: solid Outer core: semi-solid

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Mantle
1. Upper/ Outer mantle Lithosphere, Asthenosphere, solid igneous rock, transition zone, spinel structure, second transition zone 2. Lower mantle 3. 82% of the Earths volume.
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Crust
Continental crust - complex structure and composition Oceanic crust (10km)- surface sediment covering basaltic rocks.

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Hydrosphere
It includes oceans, seas, rivers, streams, lakes, swamps, groundwater and atmospheric water. Oceans are important in as they modify climate by - absorbing solar radiation and transport the heat - controlling abundances of oxygen and carbon dioxide which are necessary for life processes - water evaporating from oceans, falls as rain/snow on land (hydrological cycle).
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Atmosphere
It refers to the envelope of gases around the world. Nitrogen: 78% Oxygen: 21% Carbon dioxide: 0.03% Argon: 0.93% Others: 0.01%
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Atmospheric Layers
Troposphere: sea level to 17km Stratosphere: 17km 48km Mesosphere: 49km 80km Thermosphere: above 80km

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Atmospheric layers

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Source: http://wings.avkids.com/Book/Atmosphere/Images/atmos_layers.gif

Structure of Atmosphere

ICHEM 115 Environmental Chemistry Source of diagram: http://burro.cwru.edu/Academics/Astr201/Atmosphere/atm osphere1.html

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Pollutants
A pollutant is defined as a substance that is potentially harmful to the health and wellbeing of human, animal, plant, and may affect the aesthetic value of the surrounding.

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Air Pollutants
Air pollutants can be in the form of gas or particulates. Particulate matter The size ranges from 0.01 micron to >100 micron. Important size: PM10 and PM2.5
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ICHEM 115 Environmental Chemistry Source: http://www.solarfasttrack.com/latest/air_pollution_facts.htm

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Air Pollutants (contd)

Categories based on regulation Unregulated air pollutants: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Nitrous oxide (N2O) Regulated air pollutants: Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3)
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Air Pollutants (contd)

Categories based on how they are formed Primary pollutants: emitted directly into the atmosphere. Example: CO from incomplete fossil fuel combustion, SO2 from power station Secondary pollutants: formed in the air as a result of chemical reactions with other pollutants and atmospheric gases. Example: tropospheric ozone
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Air Pollutants (contd)

Categories based on sources Natural sources: volcanic eruptions, storms, lighting and forest fires Anthropogenic sources: fossil fuel burning, industrial process, natural gas leakage in the distribution network.
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Control of Air Pollutants

Application and enforcement of emission standard Limit values are mandatory while guideline/ guide values are for long-term precautions.

Common emission standards that are used as guidelines: - by European Commission (EC) - by United Nations Economic Commision for Europe (UNECE) - by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

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Air Pollution Index (API)

API 0-50 51-100 101-200 201-300 300 and above Air pollution level Good Lightly polluted Polluted, unhealthy for human Heavily polluted, very unhealthy for human Severely polluted

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Biosphere
The zone that supports the life on the Earth. It covers a fraction of the Earths crust, the hydrosphere and lower regions of the atmosphere.

Includes animals, insects, reptiles, microbes, planktons, fungi, plants, molds.

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Thank you

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