Humans & Pollution Flashcards
Pollution
the contamination of air, water, or soil by substances that are harmful to living organisms
Naturally Occurring
EX: through volcanic eruptions
Anthropogenically
caused by humans
EX: spilling of oil and disposal of industrial waste
Types of Pollution
- noise
- air
- acid rain
- light / heat
- water
- eutrophication = fresh water pollution
Sources of Pollution
- fossil fuels (release greenhouse gases, contribute to respiratory problems / acid rain)
- domestic waste (food waste, sewage, rubbish
- industrial waste (heavy metals, heat, acids)
- agricultural waste (fertilisers, animal waste, pesticides contaminate water sources)
Point Source
pollution that can be traced back to a single origin / source
-localized impact is easier to manage
EX: sewage treatment plant discharge
Non Point Source
pollution which cannot be traced back to a single origin / source
-more difficult to identify, manage, assign responsibility
EX: storm water runoff, water runoff from urban areas, failed septic systems
Primary Pollutant
put directly into air by human activities
EX: sulfur dioxide released from burning fossil fuel
Secondary Pollutant
primary pollutants react with other primary pollutants or water vapour to make a new susbstance
EX: sulfur dioxide mixes with water in atmosphere and causes acid rain
Acute Pollutants
intense short term exposure causes effects
Chronic Pollutants
slow / long level exposure causes effects
Persistent Pollution
cannot be broken down by nature / living things
Biodegradable Pollution
can be broken down by nature / living things
DDT
used to combat Malaria by killing mosquitos and other pests
Silent Sprint
intestacies & pesticides overused to the point that they resulted in steep decline in song bird & insects
-phenomenon described in book by Rachel Carson
Replace
-invest in "green" technology EX: wind, solar, hydropower -water saving EX: rain barrels, grey water use, retrofit plumbing) -green spaces (trees) to offset carbon emissions -product packaging made recycling EX: no styrofoam, plastics -use less
Regulate
- Clean Air Act (1970)
- National Environmental Policy Act (1970)
- Clean Water Act (1972)
- Safe Drinking Water Act (1974)
- Oil Pollution Act (1990)
- Food Quality Protection Act (1996)
Restore
-replanting lost vegetation EX: Million Trees Project -rebuilding area for ecological succession -rebuilding populations EX: million oyster project
