ENVI SCI: Module 4 Pollution

Pollution

The loss of the intrinsic physical, chemical, and/or biological qualities of a resource resulting in the diminution or annihilation of important ecosystem functions.

Pollutants

Substances that cause pollution.

Point source pollution

Pollution that comes from one identifiable place, such as a factory smokestack or sewage outlet.

Non-point source pollution

Pollution that comes from many scattered places, such as farm runoff or urban stormwater.

Water Pollution

Contamination of rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, groundwater, estuaries, and oceans by harmful substances or energy that reduces water quality.

Significance of Water

Thermal, Cohesive, Adhesive, Solvent, Density, Transparency

Sources of Pollutants

Sediments, Nutrients, Heavy metals, Pathogens

Land Pollution

Results when waste is discarded on land.

Solid Waste

Includes municipal, industrial, and agricultural waste (also called refuse or garbage).

One of the most visible forms of pollution.

Hazardous Waste

Waste that can be poisonous, corrosive, flammable, or dangerous to health.

Non-biodegradable Waste

Objects that cannot be acted upon by microorganisms to decompose, such as metals, cans, glass, plastics, and Styrofoam.

Biodegradable Waste

Objects that can be decomposed or acted upon by microorganisms, such as food waste, peelings, and garden litter.

Plastic Pollution

Pollution caused by plastics, which are various polymer molecules produced mostly from oil and natural gas.

Single-use Plastics

Plastics used once before they are thrown away or recycled.

PETE or PET

Polyethylene Terephthalate

HDPE

High Density Polyethylene

PVC

Polyvinyl Chloride

PP

Polypropylene

LDPE

Low Density Polyethylene

PS

Polystyrene or Styrofoam

Lifecycle Analysis (Lifecycle Assessment)

A technique/way of figuring out the overall impact that a particular human product, process, or service has on the environment in its entire existence.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Chemical substances that persist in the environment, bioaccumulate through the food chain, and negatively affect human health and the environment.

Open Dump

The most unregulated method of waste disposal, producing foul odors, generating methane, and causing leachate.

Landfill

A method where solid waste is placed in a hole, compacted, and covered with soil above an impermeable clay layer and plastic sheets.

Incineration

The process of burning garbage or refuse, reducing volume up to 90% and weight by 75%.

Composting

The natural process of transforming organic biodegradable waste into organic fertilizer through decomposition by microorganisms.

Noise Pollution

Excessive, unwanted, or unpleasant sound measured in decibels (dB) that disrupts activities and harms well-being.

Air Pollution

Contamination of the atmosphere by harmful substances that adversely affect human health, living organisms, and the environment.

Natural Sources

Volcanic eruptions, Windblown dusts, Sea-salt sprays, Volatile organic compound (VOCs)

Anthropogenic Sources

Burning of fossil fuels, Industrial processes, Agriculture, Waste treatment

Linear Economy

Also known as the "throw away economy", consisting of extracting, manufacturing, consuming, and throwing away.

Circular Economy

A regenerative system in which resource input, waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and narrowing energy and material loops.

RA 8749

Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999

RA 9003

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

RA 9513

Renewable Energy Act of 2008

RA 11285

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act