1.5 Pollution Flashcards
Pollution
Addition of a substance to a system at a rate faster than the system can accommodate for without being harmed
Point source polltution
Pollution that can be traced to a single source
Non point source pollution
Pollution that can not be traced to a single source (for example vehicles)
Acute pollution
Single incident causing pollution (Chernobyl)
Chronic pollution
Long term pollution
What is chronic pollution often associated with?
Non point source pollution
What is acute pollution often associated with?
Point source pollution
Biodegradable pollution
Can easily be broken down and will eventually be harmless
Persistent pollution
Non biodegradable pollution
Primary pollutant
Air pollutant emitted directly from a source
Secondary pollutant
Not directly emitted as such, but forms when other pollutants (primary pollutants) react in the atmosphere
Natural sources of pollution
Volcanic eruptions, wildfires, methane from animals
Human sources of pollution
Industries, agricultural practices
Pollution management strategies
Alter human activity (education, incentives, penalties); controlling the release of pollutant (legislation, regulation, developing technology); cleaning up ad restore systems (remove pollutants and replant lost populations)
How do human, cultural, and political factors affect pollution management strategies?
Human behaviour, such as consumption patterns and waste disposal practices; cultural values that impact environmental awareness; political decisions affecting regulatory frameworks and enforcement; collectively shape the effectiveness of pollution management strategies
Dichlorvos Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT)
Man made pesticide (pollutant), commonly used
Pros of DDT?
Can control the spread of typhus from lice and malaria from mosquitos; inexpensive to produce; saves millions of lives
Cons of DDT?
Leads to bio accumulation when non degradable chemicals get stored up in organisms; biomagnification where the concentration of chemicals increases with trophic levels
