Pollution 1.4 Flashcards
Pollutant
The thing released info nature, causing the pollution
What are some examples of pollutants?
Nitrates, phosphates, CO2, organic material, methane, crude oil, heavy metals, sewage
Point source pollution
Pollution arising from a single clearly identifiable site
What is an example of a point source pollution?
Release of methyl mercury into Minamata Bay from the Chisso corporation
Non-point source
Pollution that arises from numerous widely dispersed origins
What are some examples of non-point source pollutions?
Release of CO2 from combustion of fossil fuels
Energy pollutant
The release of an excess amount energy, not based on a chemical
Ex: light, sound, thermal
Organic pollutant
Chemicals of organic origin or that could be produced by living organisms or are based on matter formed by living organisms
Ex: oil, plastics, pesticides
Living pollutant
Release of an organism into the environment that cause harm
Ex: biological agents and invasive species
Inorganic substance
Chemicals of mineral origin, thus not produced by/from living organisms
Ex: inorganic fertilizers, NOx, SOx
Biodegradable pollutant
Pollutants that don’t linger in nature, quickly broken down
Ex: soap, paper bags
Persistent pollutant
Resistant to breaking down, remain active long, can bio accumulate
Ex: DDT
What is DDT?
Colorless, tasteless and almost odorless pesticide with insecticidal properties
What is DDT used for?
Agricultural use and anti-malaria use.
What is the history of DDT?
Came under investigation in Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, which claimed DDT was linked to cancer and threatened wildlife.
Banned in USA 1972 and worldwide 2004 for agricultural use. Still used as a disease vector control.
Why is DDT used?
Because DDT is cheap, persistent and efficient.
Acute pollution
When a large amount of w pollutant is released in one go causing a lot of harm.
Ex: Bhopal disaster 1948
Chronic pollution
The result of long-term release, but released in small doses. Not catastrophic in short run, but has a larger overall impact. Is offer undetected until tipping point is reached, it’s more difficult to clean up and more widespread.
Ex: release of CFC that degraded the ozone layer
Primary pollutant
Active right after they’ve been released
Ex: Carbon monoxide (CO), caused from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
Secondary pollutant
Formed when primary pollutants undergo physical/chemical change
Ex: formation of acid rain when SOx combines with water
What is the process of level 1?
Human activity producing pollutant
What strategies can be applied to level 1?
Altering human activity that leads to pollution:
Promoting alternative technologies, life styles and values.
Campaigns, education, community groups, legislation, economic incentives
What process is level 2?
Release of pollutant into the environment
What strategies can be applied to level 2?
Controlling the release of the pollutant when the activity/production isn’t stopped. Regulating or preventing the pollutant can be done through:
Legislation and regulation of emissions.
Developing technologies for extraction of pollutant from emissions.
What process is level 3?
Impact of pollutant on ecosystems.
What strategies can be applied to level 3?
Clean-up and restoration of damages systems when other levels have failed.
Extracting and removing pollutant from ecosystem.
Replanting/restocking lost or depleted populations or communities.
Pollution
The addition of a substance or an agent to an environment through human activity at a rate greater than at which it can be rendered harmful by the environment, and has an appreciable effect on the organisms in the environment
