Unit 7: Pollution

particulate matter

tiny particles or droplets in the air, categorized as PM2.5 or PM10 based on size

eutrophication

excessive nutrients in water bodies, often from fertilizers, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion

oil spill

release of petroleum into oceans or rivers, causing significant harm to aquatic life

microplastics

small plastic particles, often from broken down larger plastics, that pollute water bodies

contaminants

harmful stances like pesticides, heavy metal and hydrocarbons that degrade soil quality

salinization

accumulation of salts in soil, often from irrigation, leading to reduced fertility

leachate

liquid that drains from landfills, carrying toxic substances into soil and groundwater

greenhouse gases

gases like CO2, CH4, and N2O that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere

smog

a mix of smoke and fog, often caused by industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust

ozone

a gas that forms in the lower atmosphere due to reactions between sunlight and pollutants and is harmful at ground level

acid rain

precipitation with high levels of sulfuric or nitric acid, formed when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) react with water

land degradation

loss of soil productivity due to erosion, deforestation, or contamination