Elliott Sun Claudia Tung Semester 1 Chem Project Part 1: Explore the following environmental threats to life on earth

Climate change Seasons shifting, temperatures climbing, sea levels rising; change in distribution of weather patterns over periods Higher temperatures, changing landscapes, wildlife at risk, rising seas, increased risk of drought/fire/floods, stronger storms and increased storm damage, more heat-released illness and disease, economic losses High temperatures are blamed for increased in heat-related deaths and illnesses, rising seas, increased storm intensity, etc During 20th century, Earth's average temperature rose 1F to its highest level in the past 4 centuries - fastest rise in 1000 years If emissions of heat-trapping carbon emissions aren't reduced, average surface temperatures could increase by 3 to 10F by the end of the century Rising temperatures vegetation shifts animals depending on those vegetation will be forced to move Water pollution Affects drinking water, rivers, lakes, oceans Harms human and animal health and natural environment Harmful after long term exposure Heavy metals from industrial processes toxic to marine life humans who eat them birth defects, slow development Industrial waste often contains many toxic compounds Organic matter and nutrients causes an increase in aerobic algae and depletes oxygen Suspended particles in water reduces quality of drinking water for humans and aquatic environment for marine life

Toxins in food and soil Contamination of food and soil; chemicals in food and soil that are harmful; chemical passed along the food chain in animals Can cause acute and chronic health effects Toxins accumulate in animals high up in the food chain and especially marine mammals Main reason why soil becomes contaminated is due to presence of man made waste Our waste products are full of chemicals that lead to soil pollution Industrial activity - most industries are dependent on extracting minerals from Earth, industrial waste lingers in the soil surface for a long time Waste disposal - humans produces a certain amount of personal waste products by urinating or pooping Oil leaks - storage and transport of chemicals Acid rain - pollutants present in the air mixes up with rain and fall onto the ground Effects health of humans and animals - can affect genetic make-up Effect on growth of plants, decreased soil fertility, toxic dust, changes in soil structure

Depleting ozone layer Ozone layer is deteriorating due to release of pollution containing the chemicals chlorine and bromine Allows large amounts of UV B rays to reach Earth can cause skin cancer Also inhibits the reproductive cycle of phytoplankton, single-celled organisms such as algae that make up bottom rung of food chain Reduction of phytoplankton may lower the populations of other animals One atom of chlorine can destroy more than a hundred thousand ozone molecules

Air pollution When air contains gases, dust, fumes or odor in harmful amounts

 Can damage trees, crops, other plants, lakes and animals; can also damage buildings, monuments and statues; interferes with aviation Breathing polluted air can make your eyes and nose burn; can irritate your throat and make breathing difficult Some toxic chemicals released in the air can cause cancer, birth defects, long term injury to the lungs and brain and nerve damage Also damages environment; toxic air pollutants and chemicals that form acid rain and ground-level ozone can damage trees, crops, wildlife, lakes and other bodies of water; can harm fish and other aquatic life

Part 2: Research reactions that contribute to these environmental threats Climate change C2H3O2 (g) CO2 (g)+ CH4(g) Type: Decomposition Net ionic equation: 2C (g)+ 3H+ (g)+ 2O-2 (g) CO2 (g)+ CH4 (g) Oxd: C2(g) Red: H3(g) # e-: 4eBefore: Colourless gas After: Colourless gas Water pollution CO2 (g) + H2O (l) H2CO3 (aq) Type: Synthesis Net ionic equation: C4+ (g) + 2O2- (g) + 2H+ (h) + O2- (l) H2CO3 (aq)

Oxd: None Red: None # e-: N/A Before: Colourless gas, clear liquid After: Clear liquid Depleting ozone layer Cl (g) + O3 (g) ClO (g) + O2 (g) Type: Single replacement Net ionic equation: Cl (g) + 3O (g) ClO (g) + O2 (g) Oxd: Cl (g) Red: O3 (g) # e-: 2eBefore: Greenish yellowish gas, blue gas After: Yellow gas Air pollution 2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2SO3 (g) + heat Type: Combustion Net ionic equation: 2S4+ (g) + 4O2- (g) 2SO3 (g) Oxd: S in SO2 (g) Red: O2 (g) # e-: 2eBefore: Colourless gas After: Colourless gas Part 3: Investigate proposed solutions to solve these environmental threats Climate change Forego fossil fuels - eliminate burning of coal, oil and natural gas Try to employ alternatives when possible - plant-derived plastics, biodiesel, wind power, divesting from oil stocks or investing in companies practicing carbon capture and storage

Water pollution Chromatography and separation chemistry offer a variety of interesting approach to these goals Some novel methods include for prevention and remediation of water pollution that entail radical reaction and utilization of nanoparticles. During oil spills, chemicals such as

Depleting ozone layer

Air pollution