1.5 Human & Populations

Pollution

the addition of a substance or an agent to an environment through human activity, at a rate greater than that at which it can be rendered harmless by the environment, and which has an appreciable effect on the organisms in the environment.

Pollutants

May be in the form of organic or inorganic substances, light, sound or thermal energy, biological agents or invasive species, and may derive from a wide range of human activities including the combustion of fossil fuels.

Non-point source pollution

pollution that comes from diffuse sources, such as runoff from agricultural fields, urban areas, and construction sites, making it challenging to trace to a single origin.

Point-source pollution

pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe or a factory, making it easier to locate and regulate compared to non-point source pollution.

Persistent pollution

pollutants that remain in the environment for long periods without breaking down, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.

acute pollution

a sudden and severe contamination of the environment that occurs over a short period of time, leading to immediate harmful effects on ecosystems and human health.

chronic poution

permanent pollution caused either by repeated or continuous emissions of pollutants, or the presence of very persistent pollutants

primary pollutants

active on emission

secondary

arising from primary pollutants undergoing physical or chemical change