5.1 Nature of Pollution
Sub-subtopics
5.1.1 Define the term pollution.
5.1.2 Distinguish between the terms point source pollution
and non-point source pollution, and outline the challenges
they present for management.
5.1.3 State the major sources of pollutants.
5.1.1 Pollution
“the addition to the biosphere of a substance or an
agent (such as heat) by human activity, at a rate greater
than that at which it can be rendered harmless by the
environment.” – Rutherford, pg. 276
●
3.1.1 Examples of Pollution
Gases
●
CO2?
●Ozone (O3)?
●
Liquids
●Solids
●Noise
●Light
●Heat
●
5.1.2 Point Source Pollution
Pollution from an easily
recognizable, single site
Chernobyl (26 April, 1986)
Bhopal, India (2-3 December,
1984)
Tailpipe of a car (multiple point
sources can act as a non-point
source)
Easy to manage/regulate
Identifiable source (factory
chimney, waste disposal pipe, oil
tanker, etc.)
Identifiable culprit (factory, house,
drilling platform, etc.)
5.1.2 Non-point Source
Pollution
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Pollution released from
numerous, widely
dispersed sites
Chemical fertilizers
Neighborhoods/cities
Runoff
Difficult to manage/regulate
Who is the culprit?
More widespread laws difficult
to enforce
Air pollution spreads
hundreds of kilometers
Sources and Effects
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5.1.3 Major Pollutants(from Rutherford,
table 15.1, pg 277)
MAJOR
SOURCE
Combustion of
fossil fuels
Domestic waste
Industrial waste
POLLUTANT
EFFECTS
●Carbon dioxide CO2
●Greenhouse gas; climate change
●Sulfur dioxide SO2
●Acid deposition; respiratory problems
●Nitrogen oxides NOX
●Respiratory infections, eye irritation, smog
●Photochemical smog
●Damages plants, eye irritation, respiratory problems
●Carbon monoxide CO
●Suffocation (binds w/ hemoglobin in red blood cell)
●Organic waste (food & sewage)
●Eutrophication; water-borne diseases
●Waste paper
●Landfill; deforestation
●Plastics (containers & packaging)
●Landfill; derived from oil
●Glass
●Manufacturing energy; landfill (recyclable)
●Tins
●Landfill (recyclable)
●Heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, etc.)
●Poisoning
●Fluorides
●Poisoning
●Heat
●Reduces oxygen solubility (BOD)
●Lead
●Disabilities in children; poisoning
●Acids
●Corrosive
●Nitrates
●Eutrophication
Agricultural waste ●Organic waste
●Pesticides
●Eutrophication; spread diseases
●Biomagnification; bioaccumulation
5.1.3 AIR Pollutants – EU
Korea & the U.S.
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5.1.3 Major Pollutants – AIR
INDOOR
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5.1.3 Major Pollutants - WATER
5.1.3 Major Pollutants - LAND
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