What is Pollution: Definition and 36 Discussions

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or light. Pollutants, the components of pollution, can be either foreign substances/energies or naturally occurring contaminants. Pollution is often classed as point source or nonpoint source pollution. In 2015, pollution killed 9 million people worldwide.Major forms of pollution include air pollution, light pollution, litter, noise pollution, plastic pollution, soil contamination, radioactive contamination, thermal pollution, visual pollution, and water pollution.

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  1. L

    I Can we see light pollution from space?

    Is there a way to create a map from satellites showing how much light pollution there is on earth? For example if you wanted to do astro photography and wanted to know how far away from city you need to drive to see certain levels of detail from galaxy?
  2. Isopod

    Dead shark had meningitis in "world's first" case

    A rare Greenland shark found washed up on a Cornish beach died of meningitis, a post mortem has found. Scientists who examined the body said the discovery was "likely a world's first". The female found just outside Newlyn Harbour in Cornwall in March is thought to be 100 years old by marine...
  3. C

    Is pollution putting pregnant women at risk?

    What is really the effect of pollution such as pm2.5 particulates on pregnancy? I have someone close who is pregnant. I let her avoid pollutions but it seems to be everywhere in the city even at malls. Her gyno doesn't know anything about it or not sure. She isn't even familiar with pm2.5...
  4. A

    Andrew's Senior Project: Copper Sulfate & Plant Development

    Hello, I'm Andrew and I'm in 12th grade. If you are interested, I would like to share a presentation showing the process, observations, results of an experiment showing the physical effects copper sulfate can have on early plant development. I, with much help from some intelligent members of...
  5. H

    Rocket debris thrown into Space

    When a rocket engine exhausts into Space what happens to the particles or molecules that are thrown out? My interest is firstly where do they go e.g.: orbit the Earth or other planetary body if from a shuttle, orbit the Sun if ejected outside the capturing influence of a planetary body, or just...
  6. P

    Future of the Atmosphere W/Unregulated Pollution?

    In a future (100, 500, and 1000 years in the future specifically) where industrial and domestic pollution is totally unregulated, what does the composition of the atmosphere look like? And what do weather systems look like? I know this is an extremely broad question, I'm just looking for a few...
  7. F

    CFD Modeling of Flue Gas Pollution Dispersion

    I've previously studied and used the k-epsilon turbulence model within Ansys to model water in a small stirred vessel. I am now interested in CFD models appropriate for modeling flue gas dispersion. I'd like to know: What additional considerations are required for modeling a gas as opposed to...
  8. zoobyshoe

    News China's Alarming Air Pollution: 'Airpocalypse' Smog

    The video is pretty alarming: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-air-pollution-smog-red-alert-airpocalypse/ This reminds me of the descriptions of London "pea soup" smog from back in the day, except in China it affects a vastly larger area.
  9. zwanderer

    Electrostatic precipitators to capture diesel pollution?

    I would like to understand if someone has tried/or atleast if its feasible to make a Electrostatic precipitators that captures automotive pollution from sources like this? Does the physics allow to do that?
  10. M

    Air chemical analysis "homemade"?

    I have a steelworks nearby my home. Is it possible to perform an air analysis in order to know how much the air is polluted? Which instrument do I need ? Are there cheap possibilities? Thanks a lot in advance for your help!
  11. G

    I Creating a formula for the cost of pollution through time

    Apologies if this is in the wrong section. Wasn't sure where to put it. While this is technically homework, I don't think it fits in the homework section In a paper I'm writing, I need to estimate the cost to society of future pollution. Reading relevant academic articles, it seems pretty clear...
  12. majid hussain

    Pollution Control: Mach 1+ Exhaust Gas Pollution Checking

    Is there any instrument for checking pollution rate of exhaust gas having mach number greater than one?
  13. physicist007

    Which green algae is indicator

    Could anyone tell me that what is the name of the unicellular green algae which acts as an indicators of clean water. Actually I am solving a crossword puzzle so I need assist in one question the hint to this specific algae is that it is an 7 letters long word and its second letter is E.
  14. Stephanus

    Biodiesel from Used Cooking Oil: Is the Pollution Lower?

    Dear PF Forum, I have searched biodiesel through internet. There are good answers there. And also in Physics Forum, and I come across these two links from PF Forum, which are a very good links. http://biodiesel.org/ http://nbb.org/ And I also consulted LIPI (Indonesian Science Establishment)...
  15. Lukenberg

    Problematic life in third world country [air pollution]

    Hello, I were looking for smartest forum on internet and found this forum. I guess, will get any help from here, because this quality of life isn't even worth living. Living in third world country - Lithuania and here air is very polluted. Mostly it's from solid fuel firing winter time. Of...
  16. X

    Pollution of Different Types of Oils

    Hello all, Recently I built myself a waste oil furnace. It can run on any type of oil, but I would like to burn the most environmentally friendly oil, or at least become more educated on the types of pollution some of these oils produce. My first question is (based purely on curiosity), does...
  17. I

    Automotive Car exhaust, gas flow system in the car,air pollution filter

    In this time I try to search after information about 2 things: 1. the gas flow system in the car and the car exhaust 2. the materials that use in air pollution filters If you know good website / professor / paper / book / video lecture / other in one of this area so I will glad if you can let me...
  18. A

    Pollution free part of the world?

    Is there a place in the world that is habitable that is free of pollution? I have this idea that there is some part of the world that is perfect to live in, free from pollution. If not what is the least area of the world/healthiest spot to live?
  19. MarkFL

    MHB John's Question: Air Pollution Rate of Change w/Distance

    Here is the question: I have posted a link there to this thread so the OP may view my work.
  20. russ_watters

    Revolutionary Process Reduces Coal Pollution by 99%

    http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/02/20/coal-cleanest-energy-source-there-is/?intcmp=HPBucket#ixzz2LUZ8Z69v I'm not seeing it. The problem is obvious: The primary combustion products of coal are water and carbon dioxide. The proportions vary with the type of coal, but a considerable...
  21. QuarkCharmer

    Is there such a thing as residential light pollution?

    So, a few days ago my neighbor (across the street) installed a new porch light. Now, whenever I take my dog out at night, that thing is blaring across the road and it drives me crazy. It's not the type with the shade over it so the light points downward. This thing is like a candelabra, only...
  22. P

    Light Pollution & National Dark Sky Week

    Have you ever experienced the wonder of the night sky? If yes, then you know that the universe has so much to offer us. However, within the next decade or so, the beauty of the night sky will fade away with time itself. Why? Light Pollution is taking control of our night skies. What is this...
  23. G

    News Update on Chevron pollution case in Ecuador

    http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/video-reveals-chevrons-fraudulent-oil-cleanup-evidence-tampering--lies-to-us-judges-reports-amazon-defense-coalition-107526353.htmlThis is set to be one of the biggest court cases in the history of the world, and a ruling is for the 17 year old case is...
  24. F

    How does physics relate to water pollution?

    How does physics relate to water pollution? Would this include the movement of ocean currents or sedimentation in water?
  25. R

    Stargazing Star gazing with light pollution

    Guess this is for those who have a clear sky overhead. As it is the glare and pollution don't let more than a few stars shine through where I'm at.
  26. D

    How can we defeat pollution as individuals?

    How can we defeat pollution as individuals?
  27. A

    Pollution from semiconductor fabrication

    I read about the closing of GMT's semiconductor fab (that happened in 2001) because it was on the EPA's list of hazardous waste sites and that made me wonder, both historically and now what pollution has come from semiconductor fabrication?
  28. C

    Fighting global warming with pollution

    a thought occurred to me, it may be dangerous and completely idiot that's why i choose to run it past you folks. late last century we had the ozone hole scare, CFC gasses/compounds were removing our precious ozone and skin cancer were a danger wherever it traveled. but.. with the buildup...
  29. H

    Plastics, a pollution problem

    1. Plastics are a pollution problem because mainy plastics: a)burn to produce toxic fumes b)decomopose to produce toxic fumes 3. I'm confused with burn and decompose because a thing will burn and afterwards decompose.
  30. Astronuc

    What Pollution Does to Arvin, CA & Beyond

    How bad can it be? Well, if you lived in Los Angeles, or Houston or Pittsburgh (other large metropolitan or industrial area) in the 1960's and 1970's, you'd have a good idea. http://airnow.gov/ Calif. farm town is nation's smoggiest http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/smog_town We have a...
  31. M

    Air Pollution Dispersion Modeling

    For those of you who are interested in learning about air pollution dispersion modeling, I recommend that you read the following online articles at Wikipedia: Atmospheric dispersion modeling Air pollution dispersion modeling books Air pollution dispersion terminology Compilation of air...
  32. K

    Is Nature Polluting Itself? A Look at Water Contamination Sources

    A rather curious development was reported in the Friday (Sept. 29) Washington Post --- that "nature is apparently polluting itself". Within most rivers and streams within the Maryland, Virginia area --- it has been found through water testing(for bacteria) --- that most of the pollution is...
  33. I

    Pollution can alter your DNA

    a new study at McMasters University in Toronto has discovered that polution can alter your DNA, the research were done on mice, three categories, the first category lived in the middle of an industrial zone brething in heavily poluted air, the second lived on a farm with clean air, and the third...
  34. S

    Managing Noise Pollution at Outdoor Concert: Stakeholder Meeting Plan

    1. Identify the princible stakeholders who could be affected by noise pollution. 2. There is a rock concert planned. The convert will be held in an outdoor park, which boders both a resedential as well as a group of commercial businesses. In a town hall meeting, develop a course of action...
  35. L

    Pollution Alert - Take Precautions to Protect Yourself

    Thought you guys should all be warned about this chemical (if you haven't already been warned). Appearently very widespread; I don't know why there hasn't been more warning about this in the news, it could be an attempted cover-up. I firmly believe that public awareness is the best defense...
  36. P

    How does light pollution impact birds and other wildlife?

    Apparently, the recent episode (this or last Sunday?) was about light pollution (Lisa gets a telescope and can't see anything due to light pollution). I missed it. Anyone see it? Interesting that this subject is getting such esteemed national attention.
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