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Pollution is a harmful change in the natural environment caused by human
activities:
This may be the release of substances which are toxic to either animals or plants, or
it may be the release of energy (heat, light, radiation, or sound) which interferes with
the development of animals or plants.
Pollution is usually harmful to one or more species of animal or plant. However,
releasing nutrients into rivers may be beneficial to some organisms while it is harmful to
others.
Here are some general examples:
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automobile exhaust emissions |
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oil spills |
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the dumping of industrial wastes in the water supply |
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the overuse of pesticides |
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the overuse of chemical fertilizers |
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improper disposal of solid wastes |
Releasing raw sewage into a river causes pollution. Sewage contains lots of organic
substances which are a source of food for bacteria and fungi. The result is that the
bacteria and fungi thrive. Since they use up all the oxygen in the water, most of the
animals will die.
Pollution may occur naturally, as when an erupting volcano emits sulphur dioxide, but
the term usually refers to the negative effect of human activities
THIS PAGE WILL BE UPDATED SOON.
You can find out more about pollution by visiting "Environment Online"; have a
look at the pollution links
page.
I hope that you will be able to remember most of the facts on this page, but you must
memorise the definition of pollution. Write it on a small index card. Put the red words on
one side of the card and the blue ones on the other. Add the card to your revision
pack.
Pollution is a harmful change in the natural
environment caused by human activities. (now add some examples of your own choice; e.g.
oil spillage at sea (Sea Empress), fertilizer run off into rivers.
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