Pollution Essays -- essays research papers

contamination, pollution of Earths environment with materials that interfere with human health, the quality of life, or the natural functioning of ecosystems ( sustainment organisms and their physical surroundings). Although some environmental pollution is a result of natural causes such as vol green goddessic eruptions, most is caused by human activities.There ar two main categories of polluting materials, or pollutants. advertising Biodegradable pollutants argon materials, such as sewage, that rapidly analyze by natural processes. These pollutants become a problem when added to the environment faster than they can decompose (see Sewage Disposal). Nondegradable pollutants are materials that either do not decompose or decompose slowly in the natural environment. Once contamination occurs, it is difficult or impossible to remove these pollutants from the environment. Nondegradable compounds such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), dioxins, polyc hlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and radioactive materials can reach dangerous levels of accumulation as they are passed up the food chain into the bodies of progressively larger animals. For example, molecules of toxic compounds may collect on the surface of aquatic plants without doing much damage to the plants. A small fish that grazes on these plants accumulates a high concentration of the toxin. bigger fish or other carnivores that eat the small fish allow accumulate even greater, and possibly life-threatening, concentrations of the compound. This process is haven as bioaccumulation.II. Impacts of PollutionPrint scratchBecause humans are at the top of the food chain, they are peculiarly vulnerable to the effects of nondegradable pollutants. This was clearly illustrated in the 1950s and 1960s when residents living near Minamata Bay, Japan, developed nervous disorders, tremors, and paralysis in a mystic epidemic. to a greater extent than 400 people died before authorities disco vered that a local industry had released mercury into Minamata Bay. This highly toxic element amass in the bodies of local fish and eventually in the bodies of people who consumed the fish. More recently research has revealed that many chemical pollutants, such as DDT and PCBs, mimic sex hormones and interfere with the human bodys reproductive and developmental functions. These substances are known as endocrine disrupters. See Occupationa... ...es of excessive noise.Page 1 of 2See an outline for this article.How to cite this article 1993-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. advertising connect ArticlesAir Pollutionbioindicators of environmental damageMore... BooksEncarta recommends calculate for books virtually Pollution at BarnesandNoble.comPeriodicalsSearch for periodical articles about Pollution in Electric Library.Free registration requiredEncarta Training CenterSearch for courses and materials on PollutionInternet Searchfrom MSN SearchNewsfrom MSNBCRelated Web Si tesEPA US Environmental Protection AgencyNoise Pollution ClearinghouseMore DetailsAlso on Encarta10 words you should knowQwest managed solutionsAlso on MSNMSN Pets facts about furry friendsReal estate tips from HomeAdvisorOur PartnersThe Princeton followupStudentloan.comEncarta Reference LibraryLearn about our award-winning CD and videodisc productsPlease rate Encartas 12345-select a reason- Exactly what I needed Was too technical Didnt nominate enough detail Was out of date article on this topic. scant(p) Excellent Main reason for your rating