Unit 2 - AOS1 - Pollutants characteristics

Question 1

Pollution

Answer 1

The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful poisonous effects.

Question 2

Pollutant

Answer 2

Is the substance that is released

Question 3

Natural pollution examples

Answer 3

volcanic eruptions, bushfire smoke

Question 4

Human pollution examples

Answer 4

Oil spills, improperly disposing industrial waste

Question 5

Primary pollutants

Answer 5

Substances that are released into the environment directly from a polluting source (e.g. burning fossil fuels)

Question 6

Secondary pollutants

Answer 6

Formed by chemical changes to primary pollutants (nitric oxide will transform into nitrogen dioxide when comes in contact with the ozone)

Question 7

Atmospheric pollution

Question 8

Types of pollution

Answer 8

Atmospheric - gases (CO2)
Water - substances entering waterways (run-off)
Terrestrial- Caused from imbalance in natural systems -> humans (salinity levels)
Light - Night lights (animals )
Noise - Cars, trucks and machinery (whales)
Thermal - heat from hot water discharged from powerplant or factory (aquatic life)

Question 9

Waste

Answer 9

Is a material, substance or by-product eliminated or discarded as no longer useful

Question 10

Contaminant

Answer 10

Substance present where it does not naturally occur or substance found at concentration above background levels.

Question 11

Pollutant

Answer 11

Is a contaminant that has results in adverse biological effects resident biota.