Activity 3.3.1 Air Pollution Core Activity

Air Pollution Basics

• Sulfur Pollutants

According to the text, "the widespread use of coal led to severe pollution by sulphur dioxide (SO2) and soot in the industrial towns and cities of Europe and the Americas" (pg. 366 ch.16). SO2 is usually described as a colorless but pungent gas. "Humans can detect its bitter taste at a concentration of only 0.3-1 ppm (parts per million; for SO2, 1 ppm = 2.6 mg/m3" (pg. 368 ch.16). However, humans and most animals are much less sensitive to SO2 than plants are. Sulphate is formed when SO2 and H2S compounds become oxidized. SO2 can typically linger in the atmosphere for about four days (pg.368 ch.16). It is also apparent that "volcanoes are natural sources of emission of sulphur gases. On average, volcanoes emit about 12-million tonnes of sulphur gases per year, of which 90% is SO2 and 10% is H2" (pg.369 ch. 16). The global anthropogenic emissions of SO2 are about 150-million tonnes per year, which are released mostly through the burning of coal and petroleum (pg. 369 ch.16). In contrast, "clean air typically contains less than 0.2 ppb of SO2 or H2S. Concentrations of SO2 and H2S in air that is polluted by emissions are highly variable. They are typically about 0.2 ppm in urban atmospheres but can exceed 3 ppm close to large emission sources" (pg. 371 ch.16). These amounts of sulphur emissions differ amongst the nations but also correlates to their population, their kind of industrialization, and the fuels that they use.

• Nitrogen Pollutants

"The most important of the nitrogen-containing gases are nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3). NO and NO2 are often considered together as a complex, referred to as NOx" (pg. 373 ch.16). Natural emissions of NH3 are about 1.2-billion tonnes per year as the gas typically lingers in the air for about seven days (pg. 374 ch.16). Then there is nitrous oxide (N2O), which is a colorless, non-toxic gas otherwise known as “laughing gas” and is used as "a mild anesthetic in medicine, and sometimes as a recreational drug (pg. 374 ch.16).  Because N2O is a

more unreactive than other nitrogen pollutants, it can linger in the atmosphere for about four years. Agricultural soil fertilized with nitrate can have high rates of N2O emission, and modern agricultural practices are thought to have increased global emissions by about 40%. "Nitric oxide (NO) is a colorless and odorless gas, while nitrogen dioxide is reddish, pungent, and irritating to

respiratory and eye membranes" (pg. 374 ch.16). 

• Hydrocarbon and Volatile Organic Compound Pollutants

Hydrocarbons are chemicals with molecular structures containing various combinations of hydrogen and carbon atoms. The simplest hydrocarbon is methane (CH4), a gas. Larger hydrocarbons with more complex structures usually occur as vapors, liquids, or solids. Other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may contain oxygen, nitrogen, and other light elements in addition to carbon and hydrogen, and include alcohols, aldehydes, and phenols (pg. 374 ch.16). "Most emissions of CH4 are natural and are associated with the fermentation of organic matter by microbes in anaerobic wetlands. Smaller amounts are outgassed from deposits of fossil fuels, during wildfires, and from burping and flatulent ruminant animals (such as cows and sheep) and termites, which produce CH4 as they digest their plant foods" (pg. 375 ch.16). There are also non-methane hydrocarbons, and the largest emissions of these pollutants come from forests and typically occur during hot, sunny days or the summer season.

Comparison of Current AQI

	Time of Day	AQI Current	AQI Forecast	PM2.5	O3
Plains Montana CT (highest)	10:00 pm	111	74	39	73
San Antonio, TX (Where I Live)	10:00 pm	60	Moderate	16	57
Los Angeles, CA	10:00 pm	38	116	9	41

• The AQI or, Air Quality Index, tells you how clean or polluted your air might be. The higher your number is, mean that there is a greater amount of pollution in the air. Which is important to keep track of because certain AQI numbers could signal any potential health risks that might rise because of the polluted air. The AQI scale runs from 0 to 500, 0 being perfectly clean and safe (which might be rare), while 500 is completely hazardous. An AQI value of 100 serves as the national air quality standard for the pollutant. A value of or between 0 to 50 means the air quality is good/safe. A value of or between 51 to 100 means the air quality is moderate or satisfactory, its set as the typical air quality goal for public safety. 101 to 150 is labeled as unhealthy for sensitive groups. 151 to 200 is overall unhealthy. 201 to 300 is very unhealthy, while 201 to 500 is as previously mentioned, very hazardous. 

Comparison of Current PM2.5 and O3 to EPA Standards

National Standard	San Antonio Current measured over 1 hour	Time of Day
PM2.5 Average measured over 24 hours - 35 μg/m3	17.9 µg/m3	11:30 pm
O3 Average measured over 8 hours - 70 ppb (137 µg/m3)	36 ppb	11:30 pm

• PM, or particulate matter is anthropomorphic, meaning that it is generated by humans. PM in the United States is measured and regulated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The different regulations we can monitor are on PM2.5 and PM10. PM2.5 is particulate matter that is literally 2.5 microns or less in size. Obviously, we can't see this matter unless it's concentrated in the air. Then there is PM10, which is less than 10 microns that we can see in the air. Because PM 2.5 is so small, it can be dangerous to our health since it tends to stay in the air longer than heavier particles and therefore, travels into our circulatory and respiratory systems. It can be as serious as causing premature death from heart and lung disease. PM is commonly released through industrial and gas emitting/burning processes.

• O3, formally translated into the element trioxygen, is another form of an air pollutant. The broadest term for this element is the ozone. Ozone comes from cars, power plants, boilers, refineries, and other common industrial or machine processes. Like PM, this pollutant can also harm the respiratory system by constricting muscles in the airway and causing shortness of breath or coughing/ sore throats. 

 

Sources:

Freedman, B. (2018). Environmental science: A Canadian perspective. Halifax, Canada: Dalhousie University Libraries.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2019, June 18).Air quality index basics. Air Now. https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi

Activity 3.2.3.1- Solar Power and Energy Policy

 

Point Critical Analysis of Current Event 

 
 

 
 

1. Exploratory 

 
The largest solar panel assembly plant located within the Western hemisphere, (NPR, Andrea Hsu), was a $150 million investment. 

“The U.S. is the second-largest market for solar in the world, after China.” (NPR, Andrea Hsu) 

Today, the infamous Georgia Dalton plant operates 24/7, and according to Hsu, “employs 600 American workers who operate the high-tech assembly lines imported by Hanwha from Korea.” 

The cost of installing solar has fallen by more than 70% in the past decade, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Which serves as a perfect example of how the costs of solar panels have become more cost-efficient for the community.  

The NPR article also includes how “Georgia's then-Gov. Nathan Deal announced the plant in May 2018, four months after President Trump imposed a 30% tariff on solar panel imports. The plant began shipping panels in February 2019.” 
 

2. Diagnostic 

 
Solar power is a form of green energy. Solar panels could help reduce your home’s carbon footprint because unlike other resources, they don’t emit carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to the global warming/ climate change. 

A motive behind making Georgia the home of such a largely successful solar industry, according to the NPR reading, is because "tariffs have made it such that for the time being, this is the most attractive place to assemble panels for use in the U.S. market," says Moskowitz. "The vast majority of these will end up in projects in the U.S."” 

 

3. Cause and Effect 

One casual concern discussed around the booming solar industry, aside from its environmental impact, is the amount of farmland being overpowered by the creation of more solar plants. After further research, I concluded that solar panels could even contribute to agricultural needs. There might be an issue surrounding the amount of land being given to each role, but it seems like a tolerable factor for farmers as they have grown more accustomed to the idea. This was proved by Clay County's local farmer Will Harris, when writer Andrea Hsu states that; 

“Harris and Silicon Ranch are putting together a plan to rotate animal species around the solar farm, possibly cattle and sheep. The animals would graze on grass and weeds and naturally fertilize the land with their manure. In between grazing periods, the land would have time to recover. Grazing in this way could prevent erosion and, down the road, potentially sequester carbon in the soil, as Harris has achieved on his own land. But it could take years.” 
 

 
 

4. Priority 

According to Andrea Hsu’s NPR article, the cause or motive behind Georgias booming solar industry, is because of how they “don’t have the kind of state-level mandates that have propelled the growth of renewable energy in other parts of the country.” And contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t even the issue of climate change that influenced such action(s) to be taken either. Along with the mandates, the costs of these solar resources significantly dropped over time which was also a contributing factor that made it easier for the community to invest.  
 

 
 

5. Application 

Now, I can easily say that I am more educated about the solar industry. With my assumptions and straight-forward judgements out the window, I could now look into the different ways (such as leasing) that I could purchase a solar panel if my family or myself really needed to.  

Furthermore, learning the basics about solar panels gave me the realization that they are so much better for the environment. Instead of having one mindset that limits the usage of electricity or burning fossil fuels, I could be saving the environment from more harm if I participated in the solar franchise. 

 
 

6. Critical 

The article gave me quite the number of statistics to consider and compare with other states. I never knew that out of all places, Georgia contains one of the largest solar industries. In addition, whenever I heard the word “solar”, I could only think of the (rumored to be) super expensive solar panel's placed on certain houses in the neighborhood. I never took into consideration the acres of land that must be dedicated to the industry such as the solar panel plants. I assumed they were a lot harder to purchase than what was explained in the NPR article. I could definitely continue to learn more about the panels themselves and how they are created in these big factories. Through these sources and external research, my thoughts on solar panels changed in a more positive way after learning of all their benefits and how they don’t harm our environment as much as other resources might. 

 

 

 

Sources: 

 

Hsu, A., & Kelly, M. L. (2019, June 24). How solar grew in Georgia despite lack of mandates on renewable energy. National Public Radio.https://www.npr.org/2019/06/24/733795962/how-georgia-became-a-surprising-bright-spot-in-the-u-s-solar-industry 

Silicon Ranch. (2017). Silicon Ranch Hazlehurst II Project on Georgia Farm Bureau TV [Video]. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/217896697 

“Solar Panels in Georgia [2022 Data & Statistics].” ElectricRate, 28 June 2022, https://www.electricrate.com/solar-energy/georgia/.