AP Env. Science B Course Resources
Module 12: Air Pollution and Climate Change
The resources in this newsletter are in addition to those found in MODULE 12: Air Pollution and Climate Change of your course content. You should first go through the content and complete the quizzes and activities. These resources are to supplement your understanding of the concepts. Please contact me if you have questions!
ASSIGNMENT RESOURCES AND TIPS
QUIZ: Characteristics of the Atmosphere
- Read AND take notes on the content on page 3 BEFORE you begin the quiz.
LAB: Air Pollution/Climate Change
- The handout for this lab can be found on page 4 of the module.
- This site (https://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx) is a great resource for creating a graph. Excel is also a popular choice. This VIDEO shows you how to create a graph with Excel.
- Website for 6 criteria air pollutants according to EPA: https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants
- CA Ambient Air Quality Standards: https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/aaqs/caaqs/caaqs.htm
- Q: I am very confused on how to do the graphs. It says to get the information for the graphs in the sidebar, which I tried, but when I click on the links to get the information for the graph it gives me very weird excel spreadsheets that don't have any numbers on them.
- A: The link in the sidebar is correct. Click on average annual emissions. It will give you an excel file. The excel file has multiple sheets. There are 7 different sheets of data. Each one is labeled with the pollutant. The link to the excel file is here: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-12/national_tier1_caps.xlsx. See the small picture above (you can click on it and it will make the picture bigger).
- Q: I am struggling with the graphing aspect of the air quality lab. I can see the excel files but I am still unsure how to graph everything.
- A: What I'd do, is take the data you want and put it into your own excel file. Then you can have all the pollutants on the same graph. I'd put year on the x axis and total concentration on the y-axis. It looks like they are all in 1000s of tons, so you'd have year on the x-axis and total concentration (in 1000s of tons) on the y-axis. I'd do CO, NOx, one of the particulate matter (PM10 OR PM25), SO2, VOC, and NH3.
- Q: I’m not sure I understand the percentage part. Is that also in the excel doc?
- A: Add up the 1990 totals for all pollutants. Then find the 1990 value for each pollutant. To get the percentage: (1990 value for individual pollutant/1990 total)*100
DISCUSSION: Sources of Pollution
- Use this RUBRIC to help you write a discussion posting that will earn full points.
- Make sure when you respond to your classmates that you post AT LEAST a 2-3 sentence response. "I agree with..." or "I disagree with..." is not enough to earn full points for a response. You must say why you agree or disagree and back up your reasoning.
You will select one of the two following categories:
- mobile / point / nonpoint air pollution
- primary / secondary air pollutants.
Your post(s) should include all of the following:
- thoroughly describe your examples including the sources (see details below) and feel free to include images, videos, and cited facts to support and explain.
- create a plan to reduce this pollutant(s)
- analyze and look for flaws in the descriptions and plans of classmates' posts.
- Information on nonpoint sources can be found here: http://www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/Docs/nps.pdf. If that site doesn't work, try this one: https://www.epa.gov/nps/basic-information-about-nonpoint-source-nps-pollution
- Information on primary/secondary pollutants: https://web.archive.org/web/20150525181206/http://auth.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/environmentalscience/olc_linkedcontent/cunningham06es/cs6_18.htm. If that site doesn't work, try this one: https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table
Quiz: Pollutants and their Sources
- Read AND take notes on the content on page 4 BEFORE you begin the quiz.
FRQ: Air Pollution and Climate Change
- To receive full credit for the free response question, you will need to show all steps necessary to explain how the answer was found.
- The College Board used to offer 11 possible points for each FRQ, but a student can never earn more than 10 points on an FRQ. So your FRQs will be graded out of 10 points.
- Watch these videos for help answering FRQs: FRQ Tips and Tricks Part 1, FRQ Tips and Tricks Part 2
- FRQs may NOT be resubmitted for a higher grade.
TEST: Air Pollution and Climate Change
- Do not begin your test until you have completed all self-assessments, assignments, and the review items and feel confident in your understanding of this material.
- Reviewing these documents before starting your test could help you prepare for the test:
- Atmosphere
- Air Pollution
- Ozone Depletion
- Climate Change
Additional Resources
https://youtu.be/fUcF7VvbQCk
https://youtu.be/Q1cYge3yGrY
https://youtu.be/ZyZN2g_u96Y
https://youtu.be/d-iI_zFewlI