Pollution

Precipitation containing higher than normal amounts of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, formed when natural rainwater combines with sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emitted by burning of fossil fuels.

Living systems or processes that occur in the presence of oxygen.

Minute solid or liquid airborne particles that remain suspended in the atmosphere for at least several hours.

A substance that activates the body’s immune system, causing a response when a response is not necessary.

Living systems or processes that occur in the absence of oxygen.

The process in which the concentration of a substance taken in by an organism increases faster than the rate at which the organism can remove it.

The addition of microorganisms to a polluted site to assist in bioremediation.

A measure of organic content in water, given by the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by aquatic organisms as they break down organic matter.

The process in which the concentration of a substance increases as it passes to successively higher trophic levels of a food web.

The use of microorganisms to break down pollutants in soil or water.

An abandoned or under-used industrial site in which redevelopment or reuse is complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous material.

A greater-than-expected number of cancer cases in a particular location, usually associated with exposures to toxins in the workplace.

A substance known to increase the risk of developing cancer.

Major water pollutants regulated by the U.S. Clean Water Act: biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, fecal coliform bacteria, pH, and oil and grease.

Major air pollutants regulated by the U.S. Clean Air Act: particulates, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, lead, and ground-level ozone.

A pollutant that interferes with normal hormone functions.

Accelerated plant growth and decay in aquatic environments caused by nitrogen and phosphorus pollution and resulting in oxygen depletion.

The description of how a pollutant changes over time.

A group of bacteria found in the feces of humans and other animals which are used as indicators of disease-causing bacteria.

Open space that has never been built upon.

A list of chemicals identified by the EPA which are considered particularly dangerous.

A plant which can accumulate larger amounts of micronutrients than most other plants.

Particles of synthetic plastic which are smaller than a few millimeters.

A substance which damages genetic material, or DNA, in cells.

The use of fungi to break down contaminants.

Particles of synthetic plastic which are smaller than a few micrometers.

A toxin that damages the nervous system.

A diffuse source of pollutants that cannot be tied to a specific point of origin.

The emission of volatile organic compounds from synthetic and natural products.

Matter in the form of fine solid particles or liquid droplets small enough to be suspended in air or water.

The property of a substance which lasts a long time without changing.

A class of organic chemicals that remain unchanged for long periods of time, accumulate in the food chain, and are toxic to humans and other animals.

A synthetic substance designed to kill unwanted organisms; categories of pesticides include insecticides, rodenticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

A scale which indicates the degree of acidity or alkalinity, based on a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in water.

The use of plants to treat pollutants.

A source of pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source.

The accumulation of substances with adverse effects on the health of living organisms.

Parts per billion; the number of parts of a chemical found in one billion parts of a particular gas, liquid, or solid mixture.

Parts per million; the number of parts of a chemical found in one million parts of a particular gas, liquid, or solid mixture.

The emission of atomic particles as atomic nuclei decay.

The process of cleaning up a polluted site using physical, chemical or biological means.

Air pollution formed by the interaction of pollutants and sunlight.

A substance which causes abnormalities in developing embryos.

An unhealthy change in water temperature.

Fine particles suspended in water, too small to be removed by settling.

A substance that is harmful to living organisms.

A toxicant produced by a living organism.

The ways in which a pollutant moves through the environment.

A measure of water clarity resulting from suspended particles which block light.

Organic compounds that vaporize at room temperature.