BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Pollution

Science
Pollution
Human beings compete with other living things for resources and space. As the worlds population continues to increase, and standards of living improve, there is serious danger of a permanent change to the global environment. Human activities have led to the pollution of the environment, particularly in water and the air. Eutrophication is one example of this.

Global population change

Population growth
Like all living things, humans exploit their surroundings for resources. Before the beginning of agriculture about 10,000 years ago, small groups of humans wandered across large areas, hunting and gathering just enough food to stay alive. Population numbers were kept low because of the difficulty of finding food. The development of agriculture led to a population explosion that has accelerated enormously during the past 500 years. Unlike other species, humans can adapt to and survive in almost all habitats and climates.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/problems_in_environment/pollutionrev_print.shtml[10/21/2013 8:15:49 PM]

BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Pollution

Human population growth over the past 10,000 years

Standards of living
People in the developed world enjoy a high standard of living, with abundant food, cars and comfortable housing. People in the developing world have a lower standard of living, but many countries are catching up quickly.

Impact of humans
The worlds human population has passed 6 billion and continues to increase. The growth in the human population and the increase in the standard of living are putting strains on the global environment. Here are some of the ways in which this is happening:

non-renewable energy resources, such as coal, oil and natural gas, are being used up rapidly raw materials are being used up rapidly more waste is being produced more pollution is being caused.

Air pollution
The most common source of air

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/problems_in_environment/pollutionrev_print.shtml[10/21/2013 8:15:49 PM]

BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Pollution

pollution is the combustion of fossil fuels fossil fuels : Fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, made from the remains of ancient plants and animals.. This usually happens in vehicle engines and power stations. Factories can cause air
pollution

Some common air pollutants and their effect pollutant typical effect smoke deposits soot on buildings and trees, causing them damage. Permeates the air, making it difficult for living creatures to breathe.

carbon poisonous gas monoxide carbon dioxide sulfur dioxide greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming contributes to acid rain

Indicators of air pollution

Lichens are plants that grow in exposed places such as rocks or tree bark. They need to be very good at absorbing water and nutrients to grow there, and rainwater contains just enough nutrients to keep them alive. Air pollutants dissolved in rainwater, especially sulfur dioxide, can damage lichens, and prevent them from growing. This makes lichens natural indicators of air pollution. For example:

bushy lichens need really clean air leafy lichens can survive a small amount of air pollution crusty lichens can survive in more polluted air.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/problems_in_environment/pollutionrev_print.shtml[10/21/2013 8:15:49 PM]

BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Pollution

In places where no lichens are growing, it's often a sign that the air is heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide. Another indicator of air quality is the blackspot fungus on roses. Blackspot fungus grows well on roses in unpolluted areas because it is killed by the presence of sulfur dioxide that would be found in polluted air.

Water pollution
Water pollutants
Increasing human population has led to an increase in pollution. Some of this is due to:

more fossil fuels being burnt for heat and power more food being grown land taken over for industry and housing.
As a result there has been an increase in levels of water pollution.

Nitrate fertilisers are very soluble in water and are easily washed off fields by the rain and then into rivers and reservoirs. Because nitrates are all soluble they cannot easily be removed from the water. Pesticides used by farmers to kill weeds or insects may be washed or blown into streams and rivers. Sulfur dioxide in the air can dissolve in water to form an acidic solution. Pollution indicators
The level of pollution in water can be indicated by the species living there. This is known as an indicator species.

Species that indicate pollution levels pollution level of water species polluted
bloodworm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/problems_in_environment/pollutionrev_print.shtml[10/21/2013 8:15:49 PM]

BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Pollution

polluted

sludgeworm

clean water

stonefly

clean water

fresh water shrimp

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/problems_in_environment/pollutionrev_print.shtml[10/21/2013 8:15:49 PM]

BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Pollution

Eutrophication
A major problem with the use of fertilisers occurs when they're washed off the land by rainwater into rivers and lakes. The resulting increase of nitrate or phosphate in the water encourages algae growth, which forms a bloom over the water surface. This prevents sunlight reaching other water plants, which then die. Bacteria break down the dead plants and use up the oxygen in the water so the lake may be left completely lifeless.

The increase of nitrate or phospate from fertilisers into water causes eutrophication

Now try a Test Bite. Back to Revision Bite

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/problems_in_environment/pollutionrev_print.shtml[10/21/2013 8:15:49 PM]

BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Pollution

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/problems_in_environment/pollutionrev_print.shtml[10/21/2013 8:15:49 PM]