Polluting {pollution}| wastes resources, uses unneeded things, and fails to clean up wastes. Minimizing pollution has high value, because recovery cost is high and time is long.
Bacteria or natural reactions can break down waste products, radiating materials, and chemical residues {biodegradable}|, so they can disperse into environment. Biodegradable pollutants discharge at rate that environment can disperse or absorb them. Non-degradable pollutants can go into secure containers.
Vehicles and industry add most dirt and chemicals to air {air pollution}. Air pollution can disperse in open geographies. Air pollution can concentrate in enclosed geographies.
Water can have too many nutrients, which allow algae and floating phytoplankton to grow. They block sunlight from reaching deeper into water. When they die, they fall to bottom. Bacteria use oxygen to decompose them, leaving oxygen-depleted water {eutrophication}|.
Major noise sources {noise pollution} are motorcycles, trucks, cars, airplanes near airports, and household appliances.
Radioactivity comes from natural sources and nuclear wastes {radiation pollution}. Plants and fast-growing cells, such as in children, are most sensitive to radiation. Animals with poor nutrition are more sensitive to radiation.
Car exhaust and industrial smoke make photochemical products {smog}|.
Households, mines, farms, and industries make sewage, construction waste, industrial by-products, used consumer goods, and garbage {solid waste}, including paper, glass, metal, and leaves.
Environmental added heat {thermal pollution} harms reproduction if very hot, increases susceptibility to toxins, and reduces water oxygen level by encouraging blue-green algae growth.
Industry and sewage add dirt and chemicals to water {water pollution}.
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Date Modified: 2022.0225