1

The Impact of Air

Pollution on Rainbows
By Janae Brown
2

Contents

Abstract ………………………………………………….3

Pollution Effects More Than We Think

Cause of Pollution………………………………......4

Formation of Pollution in the Atmosphere…..……4

How Does Pollution Effect Rainbows……...……..6

What We Should Do About It

Solutions to Decrease Air Pollution……………….8

Why it Matters……………………………………….8

Conclusion…………………………………...…………..8

Index …………………………………………………….10
3

Abstract
After the rain, comes a rainbow is a popular saying but what if the rainbow isn’t
as pretty as it once was. In the perfect moment, angle, and light, a beautiful array of
colors appears in the sky in an arc shape. A rainbow is one the phenomenons of a sight
of beauty that our world holds. Colors of red, orange, yellow, and violet cross the sky in
a seamless gradient. Scientifically, a rainbow is caused by a refraction of light (by the
sun) in a water droplet that separates into its component wavelengths which displays as
colors. Violet, which is the shorts wavelength bends the most and is seen on the inner
side of the rainbow. Red, is the longest wavelength and is seen on the outside of the
rainbow (SciJinks). The raindrop acts as a prism, separating the light into rays.
Rainbows can be an array of colors or appear in stacks but if the light coming into the
water droplet is the same, all colors of the visible spectrum can be seen. The
atmosphere plays a major role in how we see a rainbow both visually and physically.
Pollution has been a major issue and has affected the climate in our world in
more ways than one. In this paper we will discuss how pollution has affected the way
that we see rainbows. Increased pollution emissions have been released in the air and
have begun to affect the way that we view rainbows in the sky. The air quality,
temperature of the atmosphere, and more affect rainbows. Wojciech Jarosz, a
researcher from Dartmouth College states that “anything that modifies the light before it
hits the water drops will impact the colors in a rainbow” (Scientific American). Through
this paper we will understand how pollution is caused and how it affects our
atmosphere, which in turns affects the rainbows. It may not seem as important to try to
combat pollution because of pretty rainbows but their appearances are just the surface
level of how the earth will feel the effects of pollution. In order to combat increased
emissions, I am proposing an increase in laws and regulations. The simple solution to
fixing this issue is to create a new law that controls the amount of emissions that
companies and people can emit. It has been proved that laws like the Clean Air Act are
very effective. It may not seem like a big deal but when we do not see rainbows and an
4

array of colors in the sky, it is a sign that there is an issue present. With the proper
solutions we can optimize the opportunity that we have to see rainbows.

Pollution affects more than what we think

Cause of Pollution

Pollution defined by biology online is “the change in the environment caused by

natural or artificial input of harmful contaminants into the environment, and may cause
instability, disruption or harmful effects to the ecosystem” (Biology online). Air pollution
comes from energy use and production, and more specifically, the burning of fossil
fuels. Air pollution can be defined in two ways, invisible and visible air pollution. Invisible
air pollution are very harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and
nitrogen oxides that are released into the air. These pollutants enter into the
atmosphere from vehicles, industry plants, power generation, landfills, and building
heating systems. The burning of fossil fuels, which are coal, crude oil, and natural gas
are the primary sources for these pollutants and are used for energy in power plants
and gasoline that powers vehicles. Although these products are necessary for our
everyday use, the overuse of them makes it harmful and a danger to us (Conserve
Energy).
Visible air pollution are the pollutants that we can visually see such as smog.
These pollutants can be either natural or man-made. Smog is a mixture of smoke and
fog that results from the smoke being mixed with sulfur dioxide and is typically found in
urban cities. This type of pollutant is man made because the carbon monoxide is a
result of burning coal (Science Daily). Natural visible air pollution includes dust carried
in the wind, gases released from natural processes such as carbon dioxide from
breathing, and volcanic eruptions. These sources are more difficult to control but should
be considered into the amount of pollutants in the air.

Formation of Pollution in the Atmosphere

5

When pollutants are released into the air they began to interact with the
environment. Pollutants can affect the atmosphere and other natural ecosystems like
forests, lakes, and streams. Natural air that provides oxygen contains 78% nitrogen,
21% oxygen, 2% of a mixture of gases found in the earth. When pollutants enter into the
atmosphere it changes the dynamic and composition of the gases. Although gases are
in the air, they don’t stay in the atmosphere forever. Pollutants move throughout the
atmosphere through wind and precipitation.

Figure 1

As seen in figure one, when pollution is released into the atmosphere it is carried
through wind and forms with other air particles. When it rains the pollutants that are in
the air are released back to the earth and in to the ground. The particles are carried into
the water, plants, and dirt.
When carbon dioxide enters into the atmosphere along with other pollutants, they
absorb sunlight and solar radiation. Normally when heat from the sunlight and radiation
enter the air, they release back into space but when pollutants are in the atmosphere,
they trap them for what could be years. This causes the planet to get hotter and warm
the environment. A diagram of this can be found below in figure 2 (NRDC).
6

Figure 2

How Does Pollution Effect Rainbows

Because rainbows are just light reflecting through rain droplets, when the
droplets are compromised the appearance of rainbows are compromised. There have
been multiple theories on how exactly air pollution affects rainbows but two have been
able to provide reasonable evidence. One reason is that the air pollution reduces the
size of the water droplets making it difficult for the process of a rainbow to occur. When
this happens, it is hard to even see a rainbow in the sky. In figure 3, you can see at the
bottom of the rainbow produced by sea spray is much duller and harder to see, whereas
the top of the rainbow produced by fresh rain is much more vivid. The sea water
rainbow has a smaller radius because the salts interaction with the water changes the
way the light reacts with the droplet. This process is very similar to what pollution in rain
droplets does to rainbows.
7

Figure 3

The other effect of pollution on rainbows is that the radiation from air pollution
shifts the appearance of the rainbow’s colors. In heavy polluted areas rainbows can
appear more red or orange than typical. Although it may seem very cool, this is an
indication that there is a high increase in air pollution (SCIED). Chemicals like acid rain
change the makeup of the water droplet. When the sunlight passes through it the
radius/size of the rainbow shrinks. In addition, when the chemicals and high radiation
are in the components of the rainbow, only certain wavelengths are able to pass
through, giving the rainbow a less vivid or even redder appearance. Alexander
Haubmann from the institute of Applied Physics at the Technical University of Dresden,
Germany wrote "If our analysis methods are precise enough, we can turn rainbows
into optical remote sensing tools to study the physics of rain,” (Source). The appearance
of a rainbow can tell us a lot about our environment and its state.

What Should We Do About It

8

Solutions to decrease pollution

Environmentalist have been petitioning and lobbying for new laws and regulations to
decrease the amount of pollution we release into the air for years, but we have yet to
see much of a difference; why, because I think we need to go back to the basics. In
order to really make a difference we need to go to the source, which are big industry
plants, mining for resources, and daily human habits. The emissions of companies
should be more heavily regulated and equal among all countries.

What will laws do?

The importance
Pollution effects more than the area where the pollution is occurring but the entire earth.
Some of the laws and regulations that have already gone into effect have been helping
the issue but because it is not the same across the board, it has had little effect. The
habits that each individual partake in may seem small but are able to make a difference.
When we are each mindful of our own choices, it begins to add up. 29% of total U.S
emissions come from transportation alone (UCSUSA). Reducing how much we drive
and the type of car we drive will make a huge difference. The issue of pollution has a
large effect on our planet and will not go away in a couple of years but over a long
period of time. Every effort is a step in the right direction.

What will laws do

Creating new laws seems like a simple or even an arbitrary solution to the
problem but can actually prove to be helpful. The laws in their most plain form will
create a set of regulations and standards for companies to adhere to when it comes to
pollution. Pollution affects so much of our air quality and everyday health, creating
regulations allows officials to at least monitor and be aware of how much pollution is
being released. Once there are accurate numbers and statistics, scientist can create a
system that is beneficial and realistic to all parties involved to limit the amount of
pollution in the air. Laws such as the Clean Air Act have proven to be successful. From
1980 to 2010 more than 25% of ground-level ozone was reduced and mercury
9

emissions were reduced by 45% (UCSUSA). With new regulations we could improve
emissions even more.

There is still work to do

Laws and regulations are needed but these steps are only the beginning to tackle
this issue. A law in place will help to set the standard and begin to create a certain
attitude toward the issue. To get a law passed it does take time but with full support I
believe we will see a future with more pollution regulation.

Conclusion
Rainbows are one of the greatest gifts that we have and are a beautiful thing to
see. When we are not careful on how we treat our planet, we begin to lose some of its
beauty. It may seem like not being able to view a rainbow is not a big deal, but it does
serve as a signal that there may be some issues or bigger problems that can begin
arising. Implementing solutions to reduce air pollution such as having universal
regulation and being mindful of our own contributions will allow us to fully experience in
all its glory.

References

“Causes, Effects and Impressive Solutions to Air Pollution.” Conserve Energy Future, 17 June
2020, www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-air-pollution.php.

Golden, Hallie. “The Fascinating Science of Rainbows.” The Week, The Week, 3 Oct. 2016,
theweek.com/articles/648706/fascinating-science-rainbows.

MacCannell, Daniel. Rainbows: Nature and Culture. Reaktion Books, 2018.

National Geographic Society. “Air Pollution.” National Geographic Society, 9 Oct. 2012,
www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/air-pollution/.
10

“Pollution - Definition and Examples - Biology Online Dictionary.” Biology Articles, Tutorials
& Dictionary Online, 28 June 2021, www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/pollution.

“Scientific Attitude on Understanding Disappearance of Rainbow.” Editorials: Daewon Byun

and Seon Ki Park, weather.ou.edu/~spark/AMON/v3_n2/Editorials/rainbow.html.

“The Clean Air Act.” Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org/resources/clean-air-act.

“What Causes a Rainbow?” NOAA SciJinks – All About Weather, scijinks.gov/rainbow/.

Wright, Katherine. “Think You Know Rainbows? Look Again [Slide Show].” Scientific
American, Scientific American, 26 Feb. 2016, www.scientificamerican.com/article/think-
you-know-rainbows-look-again-slide-show1/.

Index
Cover photo:

Figure 1:
11

Figure 2:

Figure 3:
12