The Rock Cycle and Pollution of the Atmosphere    (Worksheet 3)

Pollution of the Atmosphere

Two main contributors to pollution are Acid Rain and The Greenhouse Effect. These are a direct result of the burning of fossil fuels.


Acid Rain

• Fossil fuels contain sulphur, which is a non-metal. Like all non-metals, sulphur forms an acidic solution when added to water.
• When fossil fuels are burnt, sulphur dioxide is released into the atmosphere and dissolves in rainwater to produce acid rain.
• Acid rain can damage and even kill trees. It can also harm animals. In particular, Acid rain causes huge damage to statues and building made of rock that contains calcium carbonate such as limestone, chalk or marble.

Carbon Dioxide and The Greenhouse Effect

Fossil fuels are also responsible for The Greenhouse Effect. When they are burnt, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Some carbon dioxide is absorbed into the oceans but nevertheless there has been an huge increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over the last 150 years.

The released carbon dioxide gases trap the heat that has reached the earth from the sun and prevent it from leaving the atmosphere. This trapped heat leads to an increase in temperature globally (global warming) and may lead the polar ice caps to melt and flooding to occur.  This is the Greenhouse Effect.
 

Pollution True or False Quiz