Pollution

What is pollution?

The contamination of land, water or air by the discharge of harmful substances

What is a pollutant?

A chemical or biological substances that harms water, air, or land quality

What are some main sources of air pollution?

Fire extinguishers, Industries, Pesticides, Vehicles

What are some air pollutants? State 5.

Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, smoke, sulphur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, nitrogen oxides

Which gases cause acid rain?

Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide

How does acid rain form?

When toxic gases are released in the atmosphere and combined with water vapour. This turns the rain acidic, as a weak acid

What does acid rain do? List 3 things.

Corrodes cars and buildings;
Kills plants and animals;
Acidifies the soil

Which gases cause ozone depletion?

Chlorofluorocarbons

What are the effects of ozone depletion? List 2.

Increases skin cancers by radiation;
Damages the eyes

What gases cause the greenhouse effect?

Carbon dioxide, Methane, Ozone

What is the greenhouse effect?

The natural process by which greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide to trap heat to warm the Earth

What is the main effect of the greenhouse effect?

Global warming

Study the Carbon cycle.

Ok

What are some of the sources of water pollutants?

Ships, Fertiliser, Pesticides

What are some water pollutants?

Oil, sewage, hot water, organic waste

What is bioaccumulation?

The increase in the concentration of a pollutant in an organism over time in a food chain

How does bioaccumulation work?

When an organism consumes a toxin, the toxin passes along the food chain as organisms feed, with the level of the toxin increasing up the food chain.

What is eutrophication?

The natural, slow ageing process that occurs in lakes where there is great algal growth

How does eutrophication work?

Because of increased nutrients in the water, algal growth is encouraged, blocking sunlight eventually. The algae then dies due to the rapid growth of anaerobic bacteria. The oxygen gets used up killing other aquatic organisms.

What causes bioaccumulation?

Pesticides, oil, fertilizers

Which nutrients cause eutrophication?

Phosphates and nitrates

What are some things that cause eutrophication?

Fertiliser, sewage, detergents

What are oil’s effects on the ocean? List 3 things.

Blocks oxygen and light, killing marine life;
Stops birds flying and feeding;
Causes bioaccumulation

How does organic wastes affect the ocean? List 3 things.

Bacteria multiply and use up the oxygen;
Can lead to eutrophication;
Can cause disease

How do toxic chemicals harm the ocean? List 3 things.

May be toxic to aquatic organisms;
May cause bioaccumulation;
May change the behaviour of aquatic organisms

What are some land pollutants?

Non-biodegradable waste, insecticides and herbicides

How to decrease land pollution? List 3 things.

Replacement with less toxic alternatives of items;
Disposing of waste properly;
Recycling