Current+Event+Amazonian+Rain+forest

The changing chemistry of the Amazonian atmosphere pollution and urbanization are impacting the atmospheric chemistry of the rainforest Science Daily. 11 April 2018. (Accessed 20 April 2018) Source Link Provided: []

Summary: In the article chosen for this current event, it was primarily about how air pollutants, particularly Nitrogen oxides can affect the amount of OH radicals in the atmosphere at a given time. The Amazon Rainforest became a perfect example of a region that could be used as an outdoor and actual laboratory for the scientist to test this affect. Due to increasing pollution stemming from one of the quickest growing cities in the world: Manaus, Brazil. Manaus. Through the study it was shown that during peak time the amount of OH radicals in the atmosphere increased 250% and this was identified and mentioned as not being okay for the environment. The scientist hope that in the future there can be some incentive in keeping the air we breath very healthy and clean for people in the world from research like this and its implications, which in this case is increased rainfall, cloud formation and weather differences.

Relation to Class: In AP Environmental Science we learn about the implications of air pollution and exactly what it is and most importantly how we can negate in the future. According to the article above, nitrogen oxides are a specific part of air pollution that is causing problems in this context. In APES we learned that these nitrogen oxides are the primary constituent in Brown-Air Smog which is defined as being a reddish-brown haze seen over cities from the presence of nitrogen oxides (Miller 476). Now this type of smog also belongs to a certain class of pollutants called Primary Pollutants that come from stationary places and are directly emitted outward into the atmosphere (Miller 474). Overall, in class we learn a lot about the dangers of air pollution and what is represented in this article is no exception.

Opinion Personally, I feel that a lot of the time in my life I have heard of the Amazon Rainforest as being a pristine environment that was used as an example of what the Earth could be when left untouched by the influence of humans. However, now I see and feel that if there is some type of pollution really affecting what is going on within the rainforest that we have got to clean up our act. There is now no place on Earth that the influence of people is not seen directly to the human eye or even chemically now due to human activities and I feel like that is a problem. I firmly believe that if everyone does a little then that can add up to a really big change in the world so naturally and overall I think that something must be done.

Environmental Law An environmental law that was passed that is heavily related to this issue in the article would be the Clean Air Act of 1963 which set standards for pollution levels or limiting emissions or effluents for various classes of pollutants based on current technology. Since this time period there have been steps take to try and curb pollution, but it is clear that there is a lot left to do to try and make sure the pollution can be mitigated as much as possible and so that the environment can remain as pristine as possible. 

This is a image of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, this is a beautiful area and deserves the right to have humans to try and protect it as much as possible.

Article Citation: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “The Changing <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Chemistry of the Amazonian Atmosphere Pollution and Urbanization Are Impacting the Atmospheric Chemistry of the Rainforest.” Science Daily, 11 Apr. 18AD, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">[] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">.