An unstable balance
We have seen that atmospheric pollution derives from a series of substances that are produced by one or more “sources” (industries, cars and others). Luckily, after a more or less long time spent in the atmosphere, nature can “remove” a certain amount of it. For instance, the carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of fossil fuels and by the breathing of animal and vegetal living organisms is absorbed not only by the vegetation (through the photosynthesis), but is also largely counteracted by seawater, that can fix it through the phytoplankton and stabilise it in carbonated sedimentary rocks. The composition of the atmosphere is therefore in a state of dynamic balance, whose stability depends on the ability of these “self-depuration” processes to counteract or at least reduce the negative effects of man’s activities. The problem arises when the amounts of pollutants emitted in the atmosphere exceed its “self-depurating” ability, increase their concentrations in the air and reach limits that are harmful to man and to nature. In this case, the development model of man and of a country may be no longer “sustainable” in the long term.
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Have you ever wondered how much space is taken up by an apple or a steak?...
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In the past years we have heard and read a lot about climate change...
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From the Multimedia section
Facts
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What about the permafrost?
In Sub Arctic Swedish regions, some scientists studied the changes of permafrost...
CO2 “eating” trees
If a tree “eats” CO2 and produces oxygen it is easy to understand the importance it has in reducing the…
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Radars in meteorology
Radar (acronym for radio detection and ranging) monitoring techniques are used to...
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24 February 2011
What about the permafrost?
In Sub Arctic Swedish regions, some scientists studied the changes of permafrost...
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23 February 2012
CO2 “eating” trees
If a tree “eats” CO2 and produces oxygen it is easy to understand the importance it has in reducing the…
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7 April 2011
GOES meteorological satellites
The numerous civil and military satellites orbiting around us...
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24 February 2011
What about the permafrost?
In Sub Arctic Swedish regions, some scientists studied the changes of permafrost...
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23 February 2012
CO2 “eating” trees
If a tree “eats” CO2 and produces oxygen it is easy to understand the importance it has in reducing the…