1.5 Humans & Pollution

Question 1

Define Pollution

Answer 1

The addition of any substance or form of energy (e.g. heat, sound, radioactivity) to the environment at a rate faster than the environment can accommodate it by dispersion, breakdown, recycling or storage in some harmless form.

Question 2

Define Point - Source Pollution (Incidental Pollution)

Answer 2

Something that can be traced to a single source such as an oil refinery, a power station or a chemical plant.

Question 3

Define Acute Pollution

Answer 3

A single isolated incident such as an oil spill.

Question 4

Define Nonpoint - Source Pollution

Answer 4

Pollution that is more dispersed in nature and may come from vehicle exhaust, an industrial area with factories or domestic heating in towns.

Question 5

Define Chronic Pollution

Answer 5

Pollution that is long term, such as emissions from a factory.

Question 6

Define Biodegradable Pollution

Answer 6

Pollution that breaks down naturally in the environment; for example, certain types of water paper will naturally decay.

Question 7

Define Persistent Pollution

Answer 7

Pollution that is non - biodegradable, and these substances remain in the environment for a long time, often many years. An example is DDT or other organochlorine pesticides.

Question 8

Define Primary Pollutant

Answer 8

A substance that is active as soon as it emitted.

Question 9

Define Secondary Pollutant

Answer 9

A substance that is formed from a primary pollutant that has undergone a change.

Question 10

Define Direct Measurement in Pollution Detection

Answer 10

Records the amount of pollution in water, air, or soil.

Question 11

Define Indirect Measurement in Pollution Detection

Answer 11

Records change in abiotic and biotic factors as a result of pollutants.