Pollution

whether the substance is solid, liquid or gas solid, liquid, or gas affects how easily/ far a pollutant can be dispersed

-State of matter: solid/liquid/gas. -Energy form. -Density. -Persistence/degradability. -Toxicity. -Reactivity. -Adsorption. -Solubility in lipids/water. -Bioaccumulation. -Biomagnification. -Synergism. -Mutagenic action. -Carcinogenic action. -Teratogenic action.

A primary pollutant is one that is released by human activites.

A secondary pollutant is one that is produced by chemical reactions between one or more primary pollutants, often with non-pollutants.

the different ways energy manifests and is categorised heat, light, sound

the degree of compactness of a substance dense material requires more kinetic energy to keep suspended, thus deposited closer to source. Same applies to gases.

“A measure of the rate at which a material breaks down and therefore the length of time it remains.” has its own “half life” similar to radioactive material

“A measure of the ease with which a material breaks down.” (this can be by physical, chemical or biological processes.)

A general measure of how easily a material moves in the environment

“A measure of how poisonous a substance is, usually caused by its ability to cause enzyme inhibition.” eg -carbon monoxide - binds to haemoglobin in the blood and prevents it carrying oxygen - lead inhibits the enzymes in nerve cells

a measure of how much of a substance reacts when its mixed up with another substance - can increase or decrease the severity of the pollutant - can react with other substances to produce “secondary pollutants,”

“The process where a substance fixes onto a surface.” other materials may hold onto pollutants, preventing dispersal this can be good or bad (Absorption is different; refers to the intake of a pollutant)

liposolubility = “A measure of how easily a substance dissolves in fats and oils.” a measure of how easily a substance dissolves in fats, oils, and liquids

“The increase in concentration of a substance in living tissue as it is absorbed and stored faster than it is broken down and excreted.” concentration builds up > degradability

“The progressive bioaccumulation of a material along a food chain eg organochlorine insecticides, PCBs, heavy metals.” - low doses are acceptable - results in non-targeted species being affected

“The process where the presence of two materials produces a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects.”

mutagen = “A material that can cause changes in DNA structure.”

“Relating to ovaries and testes.” a mutation in an egg, or sperm cell. or in an embryo, may cause a birth abnormality in the offspring produced

• gonadic effects • somatic effects

“An issue related to general body cells, but not the gonads (ovaries and testes).” A mutation in a body cell may make it behave abnormally as the damaged DNA cannot control normal cell function. The death of individual cells is rarely a problem as they can be replaced by division of other healthy cells. A serious consequence is when DNA mutations in body cells are not killed as it leads to cancer where uncontrolled cell division produces a tumour

carcinogen = “A substance or energy form that can cause cancer.” The cells produced do not carry out the normal functions of the tissue cells where they are found such a growth is a cancerous tumour.

teratogen = “A substance that interferes with gene function in a growing embryo so that a non-inherited birth abnormality is produced.” the birth abnormalities that may occur in an individual cannot be passed on to future generations as their DNA is unaltered.

the velocity and direction of air and water currents will affect how far a pollutant is dispersed, but also how much it is diluted

• determines distance travelled -higher velocity, increases mobility so soluble pollutants would move much further. Insoluble pollutants would likely be suspended for longer. This would increase the dispersal range and possible area.