NATURAL CAUSES OF AIR

POLLUTION
 AIR POLLUTION
Air pollution is contamination of the indoor
and outdoor environment by any chemical ,
physical or biological agent that modifies the
natural characteristics of the atmosphere .
 NATURAL SOURCES
• Volcanic eruption
• Forest fire
• Electric storms
• Ozone
• Natural contaminants(fungi, spores, cysts,
bacteria, methane, dust, etc.
• Radon gas
 METERIOLOGICAL FACTORS
• The level of atmospheric pollution at any one
time depends upon meteriological factors. eg;
topography ,air movement and climate
• The vertical diffusion of pollutant depends
upon the temperature gradient.
• When there is a rapid cooling of lower layers
of air there little vertical motion of pollutants
and water vapours trapped which results in
smog.
 SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Sulphur is produced from the volcanic eruption

which is further oxidised to sulphur dioxide.
• SO2 can affect the respiratory system and
causes irritation of eyes.
• In the presence of a catalyst such as NO2
forms H2SO4 and results acid rain.
 OXIDES OF NITROGEN
• Nitrogen oxide are expelled from high temperature
combustion and produced during thunder storms.
• NO2 high concentration causes inflamation of the
airways(pharynx, larynx).
• The WHO guideline value of 40µg/m3 (annual means)
set to protect the public.
 OZONE
• Ozone at ground level is major constituent of
photochemical smog.
• Formed by photochemical reaction of sunlight with
pollutant such as NO2, (VOCs).
• Causes breathing problems- asthma.
• Recommended limit- 100µg/m3 of 8 hour mean.
 FOREST FIRE
• Wild fire smokes is a mixture of hazardous air
pollutants such as NO2 ,ozone ,aromatic hydrocarbons
,SO2 ,lead.
• Simultaneously impacts climate by releasing large
quantity of CO2 and green house gases Into
atmosphere.
THANK YOU