
Chemical pollution is the contamination of our environment with chemicals that are not found there naturally. Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes, which are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi, and run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills when a ship ruptures.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Definition | Contamination of the environment with chemicals that are not found there naturally |
Sources | Industrial and agricultural work, petroleum, plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, detergents, road runoff, pesticides, biocides |
Impact on aquatic life | Poisonous to many forms of aquatic life, slows their development, makes them infertile, results in death |
Impact on the environment | Dead zones where the oxygen level in the water cannot support life, impacts marine biodiversity |
Impact on humans | Poisoning if humans eat infected fish |
What You'll Learn
- Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it
- Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes
- Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi
- Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills
- High levels of plastic and other chemical pollutants have led to ‘dead zones’ in the ocean and waterways
Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it
Chemical pollution is the contamination of our environment with chemicals that are not found there naturally. Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Subsequently, birds, humans and other animals may be poisoned if they eat infected fish. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills when a ship ruptures.
High or prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals has also impacted marine biodiversity. The ocean and waterways suffer from a high level of plastic and other chemical pollution which has led to ‘dead zones’ – where the oxygen level in the water cannot support life. Chemical contaminants are chemicals toxic to plants and animals in waterways. The phrase 'chemical contamination' is used to indicate situations where chemicals are either present where they shouldn’t be, or are at higher concentrations than they would naturally have occurred. Chemical contaminants can be found as organic and inorganic molecules in mass-produced products used day to day by almost everybody. These include plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, deodorants, detergents, petroleum products, road runoff, pesticides and biocides, along with the results of landfill and incineration. For many of these substances, accumulation into aquatic environments can cause environmental problems, although some chemical contaminants do not damage the environment, and for many chemical contaminants, the consequences are currently unknown.
Unveiling the Hidden Sources: Water and Soil Pollution Explained
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Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes
Chemical pollution is the contamination of our environment with chemicals that are not found there naturally. Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Subsequently, birds, humans and other animals may be poisoned if they eat infected fish. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills when a ship ruptures.
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Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi
Chemical pollution is the contamination of our environment with chemicals that are not found there naturally. Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Subsequently, birds, humans and other animals may be poisoned if they eat infected fish. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills when a ship ruptures.
The ocean and waterways suffer from a high level of plastic and other chemical pollution which has led to ‘dead zones’ – where the oxygen level in the water cannot support life. High or prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals has also impacted marine biodiversity. Chemical contaminants are chemicals toxic to plants and animals in waterways. The phrase 'chemical contamination' is used to indicate situations where chemicals are either present where they shouldn’t be, or are at higher concentrations than they would naturally have occurred. Chemical contaminants can be found as organic and inorganic molecules in mass-produced products used day to day by almost everybody. These include plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, deodorants, detergents, petroleum products, road runoff, pesticides and biocides, along with the results of landfill and incineration. For many of these substances, accumulation into aquatic environments can cause environmental problems, although some chemical contaminants do not damage the environment, and for many chemical contaminants the consequences are currently unknown.
Most chemicals are man-made and they can fulfil a variety of functions. As such, they are used widely – from agriculture and industrial processes to producing medicine and household products. You may have even heard the term “VOCS” or Volatile Organic Compounds.
Chemical pollution refers to the contamination of our environment with chemicals that are not found there naturally. But how big is the problem of chemical pollution and how does it affect our health and environment? We answer your questions. Chemicals are everywhere – in the food we eat, the air we breathe and the products we use. Most chemicals are man-made and they can fulfil a variety of functions. As such, they are used widely – from agriculture and industrial processes to producing medicine and household products. You may have even heard the term “VOCS” or Volatile Organic Compounds.
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Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills
Chemical pollution is the contamination of our environment with chemicals that are not found there naturally. Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Subsequently, birds, humans and other animals may be poisoned if they eat infected fish.
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High levels of plastic and other chemical pollutants have led to ‘dead zones’ in the ocean and waterways
Chemical pollution is the contamination of our environment with chemicals that are not found there naturally. Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Subsequently, birds, humans and other animals may be poisoned if they eat infected fish. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills when a ship ruptures.
Chemical contaminants are chemicals toxic to plants and animals in waterways. The phrase 'chemical contamination' is used to indicate situations where chemicals are either present where they shouldn’t be, or are at higher concentrations than they would naturally have occurred. Chemical contaminants can be found as organic and inorganic molecules in mass-produced products used day to day by almost everybody. These include plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, deodorants, detergents, petroleum products, road runoff, pesticides and biocides, along with the results of landfill and incineration. For many of these substances, accumulation into aquatic environments can cause environmental problems, although some chemical contaminants do not damage the environment, and for many chemical contaminants, the consequences are currently unknown.
The ocean and waterways suffer from a high level of plastic and other chemical pollution which has led to ‘dead zones’ – where the oxygen level in the water cannot support life. High or prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals has also impacted marine biodiversity. Dead zones are areas where the oxygen level in the water cannot support life. Dead zones are caused by a high level of plastic and other chemical pollutants. Dead zones are also known as hypoxic zones and are areas where the oxygen level in the water is too low to support most life forms. Dead zones can be caused by natural processes such as upwelling, which brings nutrient-rich water to the surface, and by human activities such as agricultural runoff and industrial pollution.
Dead zones are a growing problem and are becoming more common in coastal areas and along major river systems. The most well-known dead zone is in the Gulf of Mexico, which is caused by agricultural runoff from the Mississippi River. Other dead zones are found in the Baltic Sea, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Black Sea. Dead zones can have a significant impact on marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of those who depend on them. They can also lead to the loss of biodiversity and the collapse of fisheries. Dead zones are a major environmental problem and are a growing concern for scientists and policymakers.
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Frequently asked questions
Chemical pollution in water refers to the contamination of water with chemicals that are not found there naturally.
Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Subsequently, birds, humans and other animals may be poisoned if they eat infected fish. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills when a ship ruptures.
The ocean and waterways suffer from a high level of plastic and other chemical pollution which has led to ‘dead zones’ – where the oxygen level in the water cannot support life. High or prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals has also impacted marine biodiversity.
Chemical contaminants can be found as organic and inorganic molecules in mass-produced products used day to day by almost everybody. These include plastics, resins, pharmaceuticals, disinfectants, deodorants, detergents, petroleum products, road runoff, pesticides and biocides, along with the results of landfill and incineration.