1.5 Humans & Pollution

Question 1

Define pollution

Answer 1

The addition of a substance to an ecosystem from human activity that affects the environment at a rate greater than it can be rendered harmless by the ecosystem, which has an appreciable effect on it.

Question 2

Forms of pollution & examples of each (3)

Answer 2

Matter - Air, land, marine pollution
Energy - Light, noise
Living organisms - invasive species, eutrophication

Question 3

Types of pollution & examples of each (6)

Answer 3

Acute - High concentration, short term, requires immediate action. e.g. oil spill
Chronic - low conc, long term, less noticeable. e.g. air pollution from cars

Question 4

2 sources of pollution

Answer 4

Point & Non point

Question 5

Define bioaccumulation

Answer 5

The accumulation of pollutants in an organism’s fatty tissue throughout its life

Question 6

Define biomagnification

Answer 6

The buildup of pollutants as they move up trophic levels

Question 7

Levels of human management (3) examples

Answer 7

Altering human activity
- preventative policies
Controlling release of pollutant
- emission regulation
Cleanup and restoration of damaged systems
- Removing pollutant from ecosystems