Atmospheric Phenomena and Pollution: Understanding the Dynamics of Our Environment
Atmospheric Phenomena
Cold Front
A cold front occurs when a cold air mass approaches a warmer air mass. The denser cold air generates a front and moves beneath the less dense warm air. Cold fronts can cause atmospheric disturbances such as thunderstorms, squalls, tornadoes, high winds, and snowstorms. As the cold front passes, it brings dry conditions.
Polar Front
A polar front forms when air masses from subtropical anticyclones collide with cold air from the poles. These fronts create a series of chains. The air masses are separated, and their interactions generate storms and precipitation.
Tropical Cyclones, Typhoons, and Hurricanes
These are different names for the same phenomenon: tropical cyclones. They are storms that develop over oceans in latitudes between 8-15° N and S. Their origin lies in the temperature of the sea surface, which can reach 27 degrees in late summer and autumn. Under these conditions, warm air laden with moisture condenses into clouds that spiral around a central area of the storm, producing high winds. Their immense energy is due to the latent heat released when water vapor condenses.
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are rapidly rotating, funnel-shaped areas where hot and cold air masses converge. They generate very low air pressures in the center of the vortex, sucking and blowing away everything in their path.
Drought
Drought is an abnormal shortage of water caused by a lack of rain in a geographical region that typically expects some rainfall. Droughts can last for several years, leading to famines and other natural disasters. In addition to weather patterns, human activities such as overgrazing and climate change can contribute to drought.
Precipitation
Precipitation is associated with areas of low pressure. It can be intense, producing thunderstorms in the summer and cold drops in the autumn.
Cold Drop
Cold drops occur in Levante, Murcia, and Andalusia during September, October, and November. In late summer, inland areas have different thermal behavior than the sea. This heat generates a high degree of atmospheric evaporation and condensation. At the beginning of autumn, westward surface currents push these warm cloud masses inland. As these masses hit the coastal mountain range, they rise and encounter a cold air disturbance, resulting in sudden condensation and torrential rainfall.
Summer Storms
Summer storms are intense rainfall events in localized areas. They are caused by convective motions of warm, moist air rising and causing the air to cool and condense. These storms often produce lightning and can cause forest fires.
Atmosphere: Energy Resources
Solar Energy
Solar energy is the largest direct source of energy. There are three main types:
Photovoltaic Solar Energy
This involves transforming light into electrical energy. It is best suited for areas where grid connection would be expensive, such as farms, mountain shelters, or developing countries. Disadvantages include the space required for installation, visual impact, variability in production, and high economic costs.
Solar Thermal Energy
This involves transforming solar energy into thermal energy for direct domestic use (heating, hot water) or industrial use (generating electricity). At home, solar panels are used to circulate water pipes over a dark background, increasing their temperature.
Solar Architecture
This involves using architectural solutions in buildings to harness the thermal energy of sunlight. It includes orienting the building with large windows on the south facade.
Sources of Pollution
Natural Contamination
Natural contamination includes volcanic eruptions, dust storms, natural disasters, and fires. These are caused by terrestrial dynamics, biological processes, or geological events.
Anthropogenic Pollution
Anthropogenic pollution occurs when contaminants enter the atmosphere due to human activities. The primary source is fossil fuel use and industrial processes. In homes, heaters and appliances that use fuels such as coal, diesel, or natural gas generate steam. In industry, thermal activities such as cement production and chemical processes release pollutants directly into the atmosphere. These pollutants can undergo chemical reactions in the atmosphere, forming secondary pollutants.
Factors Affecting the Dispersion of Pollutants
Emission Characteristics
The type of pollutant (gas or particle) determines its dispersion characteristics.
Weather Conditions
Heat stroke, rainfall, wind, and vertical temperature gradients influence the dispersion of pollutants.
Local Issues
Smog
Smog causes a significant loss of air quality and health problems.
Classic Smog
Classic smog contains high levels of particulates, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide from the combustion of coal and petroleum. It is common in winter days with anticyclonic conditions and high humidity. It can cause respiratory diseases, reduce photosynthetic efficiency, and damage buildings and monuments.
Photochemical Smog
Photochemical smog results from the presence of photochemical oxidants (ozone and free radicals) formed from nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and oxygen with energy from solar ultraviolet radiation. It can cause eye and respiratory irritation, damage vegetation, and corrode materials.
Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is unpleasant and can have subjective effects on individuals, including hearing fatigue, hearing loss, and cardiovascular problems.
Regional Issues
Acid Rain
Acid rain is caused by acid emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels in power plants and vehicles. These pollutants can be deposited in two ways:
Dry Deposition
Occurs near the emission source.
Wet Deposition
Occurs when pollutants react with water and become part of precipitation, which can be transported over long distances. Acid rain can damage soil, water, forests, and buildings.
Global Problems
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is the natural increase in the Earth’s temperature due to the presence of certain molecules that allow shortwave radiation to pass through. Without the greenhouse effect, the average land surface temperature would be -18°C instead of 15°C. The most influential greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. The natural carbon cycle is unbalanced by human activities, leading to increased CO2 emissions. The second most important greenhouse gas is methane, which has increased in recent years due to the fermentation of organic matter. The primary effect of global warming is a rise in sea levels, leading to floods, droughts, and melting of polar ice.
Ozone Layer Depletion
The atmospheric ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet radiation. Ozone depletion is caused by the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in aerosols. These compounds release chlorine and bromine atoms, which destroy ozone molecules.
Sustainable Management
Air quality is difficult to define and is determined by various components. It is controlled through legislative measures at different levels. Techniques for reducing pollutant emissions include purification equipment, transformation of contaminants into harmless compounds, and proper disposal of pollutants.
Despite these measures, sustainable management at the global level is necessary. This involves applying the principles of sustainability, reducing emissions to zero, using clean technologies, and adopting a precautionary approach. International meetings are held to discuss these issues, but political and economic interests often conflict.