Role Of Chemistry In Environment And Climate

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Role of Chemistry in Environment and Climate

Introduction

There are many human and natural chemical activities that have direct impact on the

environment. In the current century the primary environmental issues have highlighted

challenges in deterioration of air quality (Smog and photochemical production, fog, mercury

pollution and tropospheric ozone among others). The other chemical effect on the environment

is poor water quality as a result of release of pollutants in water bodies. Besides, there has been

ongoing trend in depletion of the ozone layer, increased usage of pesticides and acid

precipitation (Ravishankara et al., 3679). The challenges are further exacerbated due to the

anthropogenic pressure (Ali and Ezzat, pg.1).

Chemistry has on the other hand significantly contributed to better environment through

application of industrial chemistry to mitigate effects of climate change and environmental

pollution. It is undisputable that chemistry has an integral role in environment. However,

according to Experimania website the dilemma for most scholar has been to determine whether

chemistry is causing more harm to the environment or whether it is resulting in improvement.

The aim of this paper is to discuss the role of chemistry in the climate and environment. Various

practical examples will be integrated in support of the claims.

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Effects of Oxides of Nitrogen and Neonecotide Pesticides

With increased population and industrialization, there has been a general increase in the

combustion of oil, coal and natural gases which is used to produce energy to fuel various human

activities. However, such combustions result in emissions of NOx (NO + NO2), organic

compounds and Sulphur dioxide which are very reactive. Besides such combustion can cause

toxic chemicals such as mercury to be emitted in the water bodies or the soil. The toxic gases are

as a result of photochemical conversion of the basic emissions to toxic pollutants.

During combustion of the gases the nitrate oxide (NO) gets converted to nitrogen dioxide

(NO2) by some free radicals (RO2) that arise from volatile organic compounds in the air

(LeGrande et al., pg. 20). Oxidation of the volatile organic compounds is often initiated by

hydroxyl (0H), the ozone (O3) and the free radicals of nitrate (NO3) (Speight, pg. 203). Some

researchers have also established that the reaction is catalyzed by bromine and chlorine atoms.

When NOX and SO2 is emitted to the air during combustion of fossil fuel sulfuric (H2O4) and

nitrate (HNO3) acids are produced in the air. The acids are the main contributors of the impurity

of the air since they form toxic particles in the air which can have health impacts on all biotic

organisms.

Nitrates released in combustion of fossil fuel also leads to formation of compounds that

are highly reactive which are released in the troposphere. One of the compounds that can be

formed is the nitrous acid (HONO) in the process of HONO + hv (λ < 400 nm) / OH + NO

(Finlayson-Pitts, pg. 17). The nitrates also react with water to form HNO3 and HONO. Such

compounds can affect the growth pattern of humans and even result in cognitive impairments

such as autism. Fuel combustion resulting in emissions of nitrates is partly responsible for global

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warming and climate change. It causes rise in CO2 to its current level which is greater than 400

ppm.

The problem is further compounded by the increase in agricultural activities which

involves applying chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers which causes changes in emissions

and negatively affects the quality of air and the environment at large. The interrelationship is

complex. For instance, during the conversion of forests to grasslands and croplands, some

changes in biological volatile emissions occur. The changes influence O3 particles to be formed

and also interferes with the capacity of oxidation in the atmosphere (Bailey et al., pg. 323).

Consequently, the lifetime of gases such as CH4 is affected. The effects of change atmospheric

chemistry can result in environmental and climatic changes.

Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane, and Hydrofluorocarbons

Other than fossil fuel combustion and greenhouse emissions, use of refrigerants, cleaning

solvents, aerosol propellants there are several human activities that have resulted in the emission

of methane, floroclorocarbons, and hydrofluorocarbons that have significantly contributed to

global warming. These gases do not have any natural sources and are characterized by low

toxicity, low flammability and a stable reactivity (Bahadir and Gheorghe, pg. 250). When the

organosulfur compounds are oxidized it can also result in the production of methanesulfonic acid

which forms particles when it is combined with water vapor and amines. The particles lower the

quality of air in the environment. Such particles also have the capacity to scatter the light and

take part in the formation of the cloud which results in global warming.

The chlorofluorocarbons provide an efficient way of introducing the carbon into the

Ozone layer. The gases reduce the stratospheric height above the earth and break down the

chlorofluorocarbons into chlorine. The chlorine destroys the ozone layer when released in high

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amounts. For instance, in Antarctic, a hole has been created in the ozone layer. Consequently, the

surface of the earth gets exposed to harmful radiations. Besides, the release of black carbon and

brown carbon is also harmful to the environment since the gases have high absorbance to the

gases and can contribute to global warming. If the trend is not stopped then there is bound to be

increased desertification. Some species of both animals and plants will also extinct if they are not

well adapted to extreme weather conditions.

Role of Chemistry in Safeguarding the Environment

One of the chemical discoveries that have proved to be significant in environmental

conservation includes the dendritic fibrous nanosilica (DFNS) which is also referred to as KCC-

1. DFNS is a material that has unique fibrous morphology, it contains a large surface area which

contributes to its stability, particle sizes that is controllable, adjustable pore size and volume

(Maity et al., pg. 3). These features make it suitable for various chemical uses that result in

environmental protection. According to science news, KCC-1 can be used in harvesting solar

energy, storage of energy, CO2 capture, sensing among others. It, therefore, enhances use of

renewable sources of energy such as solar which is used instead of fossil fuel that is a major

source of pollution. Besides, when the energy is preserved then there is less production of non-

renewable sources of energy.

Geochemistry of hot rocks has also enabled CO2 emissions to be recycled into fuel

through a process that combines CO2 at hot temperature with hydrogen in the presence of

heterogeneous catalyst to form methanol (Crow). Gao et al. (pg. 3), also states that

hydrogenation can be applied in synthesizing carbon dioxide into useful chemicals. Air filtering

procedures have also been introduced through understanding of the chemical properties of

various compounds. For instance, smog which is one of the environmental pollutants is used in

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air filtration to improve the quality of air. Air filtration has been successfully applied in

construction of the Smog-free tower in China.

Conclusion

Chemistry has a significant role in matters concerning the environment. One of the major

chemical pollutants to the environment emanates from combustion of fossil fuels. Highly

reactive gases and compounds which pollutes air and water are formed as a byproduct of the fuel

combustion. Besides toxic products such as mercury is also released into the environment. Most

of the chemical products used in agricultural produce, refrigeration, cleaning solvent results in

chlorofluorocarbons that damage the ozone layer and cause climatic changes. However chemical

procedures are also widely applied in environmental protection. KCC-1, air filtration and

production of fuel from carbon dioxide through hydrogenation are some of the ways in which

chemistry is applied in conservation of the environment.

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Work Cited

Ali, Hazrat, and Ezzat Khan. "Environmental chemistry in the twenty-first

century." Environmental Chemistry Letters (2016): 1-18.

Bahadir, M, and Gheorghe Duca. The Role of Ecological Chemistry in Pollution Research and

Sustainable Development: [proceedings of the Nato Advanced Research Workshop on the

Role of Ecological Chemistry in Pollution Research and Sustainable Development,

Chisinau, Moldova, 8-11 October 2008]. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer, 2009.

Print.

Bailey, Ronald A. Chemistry of the Environment. San Diego [u.a.: Academic Press, 2002. Print.

Crow, Mitchell J. CO2 recycling-an uphill struggle. Chemistry World. 13, Nov 2017. Chemestry

World Web 27, Oct 2017. Accessed https://www.chemistryworld.com/co2-recycling--an-

uphill-struggle/3008188.article

Finlayson-Pitts, Barbara J. "Introductory Lecture: Atmospheric Chemistry in the

Anthropocene." Faraday Discussions (2017).

Gao, Peng, et al. "Direct conversion of CO2 into liquid fuels with high selectivity over a

bifunctional catalyst." Nature Chemistry (2017).

LeGrande, Allegra N., Kostas Tsigaridis, and Susanne E. Bauer. "Role of atmospheric chemistry

in the climate impacts of stratospheric volcanic injections." Nature Geoscience(2016).

Maity, Ayan, and Vivek Polshettiwar. "Dendritic Fibrous Nanosilica (DFNS) for Catalysis,

Energy Harvesting, CO2 Mitigation, Drug Delivery and Sensing." ChemSusChem(2017).

Ravishankara, A. R., Yinon Rudich, and John A. Pyle. "Role of chemistry in Earth’s climate."

(2015): 3679-3681.

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Science news. Dendritic fibrous nanosilica: All-in-one nanomaterial for energy, environment and

health. 13, Nov 2017. Science News Web 3, Nov 2017. Accessed from

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171103105704.htm

Speight, James G. Environmental Organic Chemistry for Engineers. , 2017. Print.

Xperimania. Chemistry and the environment: Help or hindrance? Xperimania. 13, Nov 2017.

Accessedhttp://www.xperimania.net/ww/en/pub/xperimania/news/world_of_materials/ch

emistry_and_the_environment.htm

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