Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781305112100
Author: Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Chapter 25, Problem 1RQ

Describe at least two ways that human activities are altering air quality.

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Summary Introduction

To describe: The two ways in which human activities alters air quality.

Introduction: Biodiversity (biological diversity) is the difference among the organisms. From the population to the ecosystem, biodiversity takes place in all levels of ecological organizations. Biodiversity measures the variation at the species, genetic, and ecosystem levels.

Explanation of Solution

The ways in which human activity alters the air quality are as follows:

  1. 1. The burning of fossil fuels by humans releases many chemicals responsible for smog. Smog is a mixture of air pollutants.
  2. 2. The oxides of nitrogen and sulfur are air pollutants that alter the air quality. The acid rain is caused by the burning of coal as well as gas and oil burning. The burning of coal, gas, and oil produces sulfur and combine with oxygen to form sulfur oxide. Sulfur oxide is released into the atmosphere. Sulfur oxide forms sulfur trioxide, and then forms sulfuric acid to make acid rain. Sulfuric acid and nitric acid emitted from industries also cause acid rain.

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