# data[].attributes.body
For one article

Summary

The pollutants

The Sources

The Impacts

Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable

Identify if Acute or Chronic

Identifiy if it is primary or secondary

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: The state of California has declared a state of emergency in the suburbs of Los Angeles because of the leaking of methane in the form of gas from an underground storage field, which started in October 2015.

The pollutants: methane in the form of gas; an extremely potent greenhouse gas, which is being emitted into the air at a very fast rate from this site. This gas belongs to a category of gases called short-lived climate pollutants.

The Sources: an underground storage field in Porter Ranch, in the suburbs of Los Angeles. A broken injection-well pipe about 500 ft (152.4m) below the surface is believed to be the cause behind the leak.

The Impacts: this gas results toxic for beings leaving near it, so more than 2,000 families have been moved from their homes and many people have reported feeling ill because of the leakage. Even though it is not too close to civilized areas, near residential areas have complained of health effects such as headaches, nausea, and trouble breathing. This gas is also spewing into the atmosphere at a rate so fast that it accounts for about a quarter of California’s total emissions of methane, causing climate change and air pollution by trapping solar radiation in the atmosphere.

Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution: it is a point source pollution because this methane leaking emerges from a specific identifiable site, which is the underground storage field in Porter Ranch specifically. The whole gas emission comes from this single site.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable: Methane is a biodegradable pollutant, meaning that it doesn’t accumulate eternally, but instead eventually biodegrades, breaks down, or decomposes. It is considered a short-lived climate pollutant with an atmospheric lifetime of around 12 years. However, this doesn’t take away the fact that methane is very harmful both for the environment and humans. While not as prevalent as carbon dioxide, methane is a more potent greenhouse gas.

Identify if Acute or Chronic: This specific case, which consists of an excessive and sudden leaking of methane gas, is considered an acute pollution case. It was pollution of importance that demanded an immediate response, which is why the state of emergency was declared in order to protect human health and the environment. Symptoms caused by it in humans were also acute.

Identify if it is primary or secondary: Methane is a primary pollutant, meaning that it was emitted directly from the source into the air, already existing once it got in contact with the air. Methane is, in fact, one of the most common primary pollutants.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: Plastic roads are starting to be used more around the world. Studies said that this is better for cars, more grip which reduces accidents and their lifetime is much larger than the roads we are used to.

The pollutants: The pollutants are all the chemicals and toxic particles that plastic drops when it is hit by sun or hot temperatures. Anyways they are better than regular roads and they reduce plastic pollution since they can be created from recycled objects and the process is not that bad for the environment.

The Sources: Several countries are using these plastic roads but the principals on employing this method are Mexico, United states and South Africa.

The Impacts: The plastic roads are positive for the environment compared to regular roads, the process of creating them is faster, it doesn't contaminate as much as regular roads and they reduce plastic pollution since they are created from recycled material.

Identify if Point or Nonpoint Source Pollution: It's a non point source pollution since it's made from different parts that are all around the world.

identify if Persistent or Biodegradable: It is persistent as plastic is not a biodegradable material and there is no other option for roads.

Identify if Acute or Chronic: This is cornic because everything points that plastic roads are the roads of the future since they are being more efficient than regular roads we know so this could last tons of years.

Identify if it is primary or secondary: Plastic roads are a primary pollutant because the pollution comes directly from the material.

# data[].attributes.headline
Summary:Heavy metal poisoning in Scotland’s beached whales. High levels of toxins mercury and cadmium have been found in all organs including the brain of a pod of whales recently on Scotland’s North Sea Coast, in the september 12t, 2012.  Researchers have shown  that as the rising or mercury levels increase in the oceans it leads to toxic stress in the long-lived marine mammals, in this case, whales.  The pollutants:Journal Science of the Total Environment, shows a clear correlation between the increased levels and the age of the mammals as toxic stress increases the longer the mammals live. However this shows that this species of marine mammal are less susceptible to mercury poisoning than humans. Researchers can clearly evidence that mercury is being transported through the bloodstream to all organs where it accumulates over the lifespan. As well as there is a slight increased concentration of mercury in the brain of the whales as they became older. Adding on to this cadmium is also a substance extremely pollutant, these penetrate the blood brain in the newborn or developmental stages, this does not occur in adults. For the first time cadmium is found in the brain tissue and levels increase with age. Sadly there has been proved that selenium (detoxifies these harmful chemicals) are not available for the synthesis of essential proteins in older animals meaning that longer mamalas live the less they are able to cope with the toxic effects. The Sources:Scientists from the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with the Scottish marine Animal Stranding Scheme noticed that the pod of long-finned pilot whales were stranded on a beach between Austher and Pittenweem in Scotland in the year 2012. This provides them unique new insights because they were able to look at the effects of a large number of whales from the same pod and how this varied according to their age. They gather an unprecedented number of tissue samples from all the major organs including the brain of the whale. As a result they saw for the first time the long term effect of mammalian exposure to the environmental pollutants such as mercury and cadmium.  The Impacts:The impacts of this are mainly the damage these pollutants cause inside these whales, mercury inside the brains of the mammals causing them to become older. As well as cadmium penetrates the blood brain barrier meaning that it becomes part of the brain tissue. This is found in newborns or whales which are in their development stages which can be very harmful since their mechanisms are still evolving, progressing. Mercury and Cadmium levels in the brain cause disorientation, which in some cases can lead to strandings and there is also a higher stress in these iconic animals due to rising toxic metal concentration in the oceans.   Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution:Through re-reading this article I can say that this issue is a non-point source of pollution as it is harder to identify and harder to address. This might not be easily addressed after scientists find the seriousness of mercury and cadmium inside the whales through gathering an unprecedented number of tissue samples from all the major organs.  Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable:I do think that such heavy metals, high levels of toxins mercury and cadmium. Overall they are not degradable in nature, thus once released to the environment they stay in circulation. Meaning that this is persistent as they remain in the environment for a very long time, they cannot be broken down.  Identify if Acute or Chronic: Heavy metal poisoning in  Scotland’s beached whales is an example of chronic diseases which develop slowly and last for a lifetime. This is not a medical condition that occurs suddenly and lasts for a shorter period of time. The heavy metals inside this mammals last for a long time, however having mercury and cadmium quickly makes whales older meaning that such metals stay inside them for a long period of time, until they reach death.  Identify if it is primary or secondary:This is secondary as it’s data or source information that was either created at the time or it was made in the same manner after some time (2012). 

# data[].attributes.subject
Summary:Heavy metal poisoning in Scotland’s beached whales. High levels of toxins mercury and cadmium have been found in all organs including the brain of a pod of whales recently on Scotland’s North Sea Coast, in the september 12t, 2012.  Researchers have shown  that as the rising or mercury levels increase in the oceans it leads to toxic stress in the long-lived marine mammals, in this case, whales.  The pollutants:Journal Science of the Total Environment, shows a clear correlation between the increased levels and the age of the mammals as toxic stress increases the longer the mammals live. However this shows that this species of marine mammal are less susceptible to mercury poisoning than humans. Researchers can clearly evidence that mercury is being transported through the bloodstream to all organs where it accumulates over the lifespan. As well as there is a slight increased concentration of mercury in the brain of the whales as they became older. Adding on to this cadmium is also a substance extremely pollutant, these penetrate the blood brain in the newborn or developmental stages, this does not occur in adults. For the first time cadmium is found in the brain tissue and levels increase with age. Sadly there has been proved that selenium (detoxifies these harmful chemicals) are not available for the synthesis of essential proteins in older animals meaning that longer mamalas live the less they are able to cope with the toxic effects. The Sources:Scientists from the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with the Scottish marine Animal Stranding Scheme noticed that the pod of long-finned pilot whales were stranded on a beach between Austher and Pittenweem in Scotland in the year 2012. This provides them unique new insights because they were able to look at the effects of a large number of whales from the same pod and how this varied according to their age. They gather an unprecedented number of tissue samples from all the major organs including the brain of the whale. As a result they saw for the first time the long term effect of mammalian exposure to the environmental pollutants such as mercury and cadmium.  The Impacts:The impacts of this are mainly the damage these pollutants cause inside these whales, mercury inside the brains of the mammals causing them to become older. As well as cadmium penetrates the blood brain barrier meaning that it becomes part of the brain tissue. This is found in newborns or whales which are in their development stages which can be very harmful since their mechanisms are still evolving, progressing. Mercury and Cadmium levels in the brain cause disorientation, which in some cases can lead to strandings and there is also a higher stress in these iconic animals due to rising toxic metal concentration in the oceans.   Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution:Through re-reading this article I can say that this issue is a non-point source of pollution as it is harder to identify and harder to address. This might not be easily addressed after scientists find the seriousness of mercury and cadmium inside the whales through gathering an unprecedented number of tissue samples from all the major organs.  Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable:I do think that such heavy metals, high levels of toxins mercury and cadmium. Overall they are not degradable in nature, thus once released to the environment they stay in circulation. Meaning that this is persistent as they remain in the environment for a very long time, they cannot be broken down.  Identify if Acute or Chronic: Heavy metal poisoning in  Scotland’s beached whales is an example of chronic diseases which develop slowly and last for a lifetime. This is not a medical condition that occurs suddenly and lasts for a shorter period of time. The heavy metals inside this mammals last for a long time, however having mercury and cadmium quickly makes whales older meaning that such metals stay inside them for a long period of time, until they reach death.  Identify if it is primary or secondary:This is secondary as it’s data or source information that was either created at the time or it was made in the same manner after some time (2012). 

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: The article talks about the most common wastes that houses have. The article also provides specific numbers showing how much waste does each house adds up in a year.

Pollutants: The most common pollutants that a house creates are all types of plastics like for example water bottles, food packages, etc.

The Sources: The countries that produce more waste are Canada, Bulgaria, the United States, Estonia, and Finland.

The Impacts: Uncollected domestic waste is causing health hazards and is also polluting the environment. It also makes the soil infertile.

Identify if Point or Non - Point Source Pollution: It is a Non - Point Source Pollution because the domestic waste comes from multiple houses.

Identify if Persist or Biodegradable:
Some domestic wastes are biodegradable while others persist.

Identify if Acute or Chronic:
It is Chronic as solving this issue means changing people's mentality in order for them to recycle instead of permanently wasting and this will take a lot of time.

Identify if it is primary or secondary:
It is primary because domestic waste directly pollutes the environment.

Identify if it is primary or secondary:

# data[].attributes.headline
Chemical pollution is causing brain damage in polar bears

# data[].attributes.subject
Chemical pollution is causing brain damage in polar bears

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: A number of man-made chemicals end up in the Arctic food chain where they mess with the polar bears' brains. It is putting their existence at risk apart from climate change.
The Pollutants: The pollutants are the man-made chemicals that are arriving to the Arctic. Perfluorinated compounds are coming in the polar bears' food.
The Sources: Aarhus University and the University of Copenhagen, along with colleagues in Canada and the United States demonstrate how Perfluorinated compounds disturb different signal molecules and enzymes in the bears' brains.
The Impacts: This has an impact on the polar bears' behavior, hormonal balance, and ability to survive in a hostile environment. Resulting in brain damage.
Identify if Point or non-point source pollution: It is a non-point source because the man-made chemicals come from all over the world.
Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable: Perfluorinated compounds are biodegradable but only to an extent because such biodegradation is incomplete and may not result in mineralization.
Identify if Acute or Chronic: This specific case would be chronic because brain damage is permanent on the polar bears and it could lead to their extinction.
Identify if it is primary or secondary: I would say it is a secondary pollutant because the pollutant is man-made with many combinations of compounds that then result to be hurtful for polar bears.
Andrea Serrano

# data[].attributes.body
WORLD’S FIRST OCEAN CLEANING SYSTEM TO BE DEPLOYED IN 2016
Summary:

On May 20, 2015, the founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup, declared to the world that his company will develop the world's first system for cleaning up plastic trash in the seas. This project was annoyed at Asia’s largest technology conference, Seoul Digital Forum, in South Korea and it was developed in 2016. This system will span 2000 meters, and it becomes the longest floating structure developed in the ocean, and this device collects plastic before it reaches Tsushima Island. Approximately one cubic meter of pollution per person is washed ip each year. This lead to Japanese government to look for innovations that may help this problem. The plans was to deploy a 100km-long system to clean up (about half of the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located between Hawaii and California), this in a time period of five years.
The pollutants:

The pollutants are the chemicals and the toxic particles that plastic drops in the oceans. It has been studied that plastic releases chemicals such as bisphenol A, is has been implicated in disrupting the hormonal system of animals, also other substances known as polystyrene-based (ps) oligomers.
The Impacts:

It is averaged that each year one cubic meter of plastic pollution is being washed in Tsushima Island. The world first ocean cleaning system is important to the ocean since it cleans waters and coasts and it is essential lo help clean our  oceans. This project has helped scientist to study the system’s efficiency and durability over time.
Identify of Point or Non-Point Source Pollution:

It’s a non-point source pollution since the plastic is thrown all around the world.

Identify if Persistent (stays) or Biodegradable (break down):

It is persistent since the plastic docent decompose. The plastic can be around indefinitely in the marine ecosystem. Some of the plastics float once they enter the ocean, other don’t. Some plastics that are thrown in the ocean beaks down into peaces called micro plastics.
Identify if Acute (oil sill) or Chronic (constant):

It can be considered chronic since cleaning the oceans will always be difficult since people are not going to stop using plastic. Plastic is everywhere and changing people minds about plastic will take many years.

Identify if it is primary or secondary:

It is considered as primary plastic since is causing different combinations like cigarette butts and bottle caps. It can also be considered as a secondary plastic as a result of the degradation of the primary ones.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary

A pilot project's participants. To get rid of the hyacinth in Kings Bay, Water hyacinth in large plastic containers with a case capacity of 4,300 gallons per day. The water has been out of control for years, turning it into a slimy green mess. Bob Knight, the project's principal ecologist, is searching for a solution for all of the bays. This plant attracted gardeners in 1884, causing it to grow; during the Second World War, it grew even more when they built structures in the water. Knight spent a year obtaining permits to put the experiment to the test. When the first floating pens with hyacinths, native frogs, and water lettuce were implemented in March 2012, they believe hyacinths can play an important role in a conservation plan that involves reducing nutrient runoff and trying to restore spring flows.

The pollutants:

Hyacinth is a type of hyacinth (aggressive non-native species, South America) Water hyacinth, sometimes known as the "weed from hell," is an available plant that can build impenetrable mats, attract mosquitoes, and deplete oxygen from the water, killing fish.Another fast-growing non-native species is Hydrilla.

The Sources

Instead of removing the water hyacinth from the bay, conservationists brought it within, bringing roughly 4,300 gallons with them at the end of the day. In the 1960s, early control efforts included spraying areas of the bay with hundreds of gallons of sulfuric acid, which was later discovered to be harmful to other living things. Copper-based herbicide applications were also phased out in the 1970s after significant quantities of copper were discovered in sediments and dead manatee organs.

The Impacts

The water hyacinth enticed gardeners with its beauty and vigor after being introduced to Americans during the World's Cotton and Industry Centennial Exposition in New Orleans in 1884. It spread quickly from purposefully planted ponds and lakes, thanks in part to flooding. However, post-World War II development gave it a huge boost. Humans produced an excellent environment for the water hyacinth by damming rivers, draining wetlands, and filling water bodies with sewage and fertilizers.

Identify if Point or Nonpoint Source Pollution

It is a non-point since it has expanded globally making it grow in different five continents

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable

It is biodegradable since it’s a floating aquatic plant, even if it is considered a invasive weed this is not any plastic or other material that is not biodegradable

Identify if Acute or Chronic

It is chronic because everything points that this type of weeds will keep invading over many water sources, this has been going on for years affecting multiple aquatic animals and other aquatic plants, this can go for 28 years but as they keep growing and reproducing they will continue

Identify if it is primary or secondary

It's a primary pollutant since it was discharged directly from the source into the ocean, where it came into contact with the water. It's straight from the source.

# data[].attributes.body
European Parliament Votes to Ban Single-use Plastic

Summary:

The European Parliament is working on banning single-use plastic. Single-use plastics are things like straws, cups, plates, cutlery, cotton buds, and more. What is to be implemented is banning plastics to come into force by all EU states. They have set goals such as manufacturing recycled bottles that are 25% recyclable in 2025 and by 2029 bottles that are 100% recyclable. There will also be strategies such as switching packaging that informs consumers of the environmental damage that the product they are bullying does. “Polluter pays” policies will also be applied. For example, fishermen who lose their nets at sea will need to pay an extra cost. 560 MEPs voted in favor of the agreement and these steps which are to be prepared for 2 years to later be implemented will change the course of Europe and the world.

The pollutants:

The pollutants that come with plastic are mainly crude oil and natural gas. These plastics are spreading across the oceans and affecting wildlife.

The sources:

Comes from fishing industries, straws, cups, plates, cutlery, cotton buds, and more. All of these are human-sourced and Europe has “ 25m tonnes of plastic waste, but less than 30% is collected for recycling. More than 80% of marine litter is plastic”(Rankin). Europe wants to eliminate single-use plastics which cause littering, pollution, and also "fatbergs" which are wet wipes clogging sewers.

The impacts:

Plastic is a huge problem worldwide. Single-use plastic which is used only once and is then disposed of is one of the most primal problems of the environment. It is present in the oceans in landfills and affects the flora and fauna all around the world. It also has a huge impact on humans and health. Plastics are turning into micro-plastics which apart from being ingested by animals, are now part of human systems even being found in human placentas. It also contributes to climate change because its incineration releases dangerous toxins into the environment.

Types:

Non-point source pollutant: hard to identify all of the sources plastic is coming from.

It is a persistent pollutant as it damages human health and the environment and does not generally biodegrade.

It is a chronic pollutant as it is continuous and its contamination is not stopping soon.

It is a primary pollutant as it is released directly into the environment through the process of incineration, its particles are released and the toxins are affecting climate change.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary:
Bees are dying in record numbers, the government admits that is due to an extremely common pesticide. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has been under pressure from environmentalists and beekeepers in order to reconsider the approval of a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids, which harm bees and other pollinators in tiny doses. Now the EPA conceded the case. The EPA´s long-awaited assessment focused on how one of the most prominent neonics affects bees. The EPA could potentially take action in order to restrict the use of chemicals by the end of this year. The crops most likely to expose honeybees to harmful levels of imidacloprid are cotton and citrus. The agency still has some consideration to do regarding public comments on the bee assessment it just released, and also gas to complete a risk assessment of imidacloprid´s effect on other species. Their impact on bees, neonic pesticides may also harm birds, butterflies, and water-borne invertebrates.

The pollutants:
The pollutants that are mainly killing bees are neonics: giant chemicals called Syngenta and Bayer. They had created harmful effects including a decrement in pollinators as well as less honey produced. And not only affected bees but also other species like birds, butterflies, and water-borne invertebrates. Crops are most likely to expose honeybees to harmful levels of imidacloprid found in cotton and citrus.

The sources:
The pesticides are marketed by European chemical giants Syngenta and Bayer and these neonics are the most widely used insecticides both in the United States and globally. These chemicals can be found in crops and all around the world. In cotton, citrus and soybeans crops are most founded.

The impacts:
Many pollinators have died due to these chemicals and pesticides. Pollinators are responsible for providing food for humans and many other species. Adding to that, the decreasement in pollinators has also affected climate change and the productions of honey which has also affected the economy of many individuals and producers.

Identify if Point of Non-Point Source Pollution:
It is a Non-Point Source Pollution because pesticides can be found globally and all around the world in different crops. They are also marketed to many countries and many individuals use them in order to protect their fields.

Identify is Persistent or Biodegradable:
Some pesticides would be biodegradable and non-harmful, for example,  The EPA has been under pressure from environmentalists and beekeepers in order to reconsider the approval of a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids, which harm bees and other pollinators in tiny doses. But the most persistent pesticides have a huge and negative effect on pollinators, making bees die in record numbers.

Idenitfy if Acute or Chronic:
It is chronic, in order to solve this issue it requires a lot of power and important organizations like EPA in order to completely cancel neonics globally, and also requires a lot of approval to change people´s mindsets for them to stop using pesticides. Many individuals do not understand how harmful it is since their intentions arent bad, they only want to protect their fields but they can do it in more biodegradable ways. I believe all the information provided is well researched and also includes specific evidence that contributes to the facts and supports the statements.

Identify if its primary or secondary:
It is a secondary pollutant since pesticides are man-made and its a huge combination of chemicals in order to kill many species. The problem are not the pesticides, but the amount used by humans and the compounds they use to created them which are chemicals and toxic.

# data[].attributes.body
https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/microplastics-in-freshwater-and-soils/summary: Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 milímetros in diameter. The report shows evidence of micro plastics effects in freshwater and soil, and the chemicals associated with them on ecosystems and in animals. The report is focused on freshwater and soil because the majority of studies only focus on effects on sea creatures in the oceans, but it is also important to have information about the impact it has on land since most of the plastic pollution starts in land before ending up in the rivers and oceans. It is difficult to estimate the total amount of microplastics particles, but in the UK a sample of the Mersey river demonstrated that there were an average 84,030 particles in each square of meter of water. These tiny particles of plastics have been found in animals, and are very harmful for them. There is little information about long term exposure to micro plastics because it was recently identified as an environmental pollutant. IN some countries such as the UK micro plastics have been banned from personal care products, however some other products such as lipsticks and paints also have them. The pollutants: chemicals such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers and phthalates are presented in microplastics. The sources: The main sources of microplastics are types, textiles, road markings, personal care products such as exfoliators and toothpastes, synthetic textiles among others.The Impacts: Many animals ingest the particles, and because of the hazardous chemicals it has it physically damages their organs, and could kill them. They accumulate in the food chain, potentially damaging ecosystems and places we grow our food in, or even in fishes we eat.Point or nonpoint source: Microplastics is a nonpoint source of pollution, because it is a runoff from many different sources, such as agricultural, personal use and some specific materials. Persistent or Biodegradable: Microplastics are persistent since they cannot be decomposed, and have chemicals that damage life. -Rebeca Ramos

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: All the garbage that is thrown is accumulated and it is causing a crisis especially to the country of Lebanon that is desperately asking their governors to do something about it. There are piles of garbage that are causing it. This issue is also related to politics and protestants. The unrest is now centered on claims for representation and citizenship, and it is widely understood that "the garbage crisis lies at the heart" of Lebanon's post-war state. This understanding, however, is insufficient to prevent the movement from collapsing due to political co-optation or individual complacency.

The pollutants: Trash releases noxious gases such as methane, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide.

The Sources: Citizens and governors of Lebanon as well as the Palestinian communities.

The Impacts: Garbage piles that decay in the summer heat pockmark densely populated residential areas, contaminating the air and fouling the soil, causing respiratory ailments and stoking cholera fears.

Identify if Point or Non point Source Pollution: It can be considered a non point because waste and all the trash that has been accumulated over the years has been piling up causing the big issue in the present.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable: After the amount of waste that is there the issue is persistent until the government decides to clean up the city..

Identify if Acute or Chronic: It can be considered chronic since it will take a long time to get rid of all the amounts of trash that have been accumulated over time. This can also be an issue because of the political issues that are not solve and will make it hard to convince governors to clean all of that trash.

Identify if it is primary or secondary: It is a primary pollutant because it is causing more damage to society as it still persists in the city.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary

The U.S senate passed a ban on plastic microbeads which are really small pieces of plastic used for many different products and pollute the lakes and oceans. This ban is called the Microbead-Free Waters Act and it banned the manufacturing of microbeads by 2017, manufacturing of over-the-counter drugs and cosmetics that use microbeads by 2018 and the ban of the sale of these products by 2019. This is because they have found really high concentrations of microbeads in the great lakes, which not only affects the lakes, but also what lives inside them and allows for biomagnification to occur, which ends up affecting humans as well.

The pollutants

The pollutants are microplastics in the form of microbeads. They absorb more pollutants and since these are made of plastic, they don't decompose and if they do biodegrade, it takes a lot more than a 100 years for that to actually happen.

The Sources

microbeads are manufactured to be used mostly on abrasive exfoliants, facial cleansers, and toothpaste. All of these products rinse down the drain when being used and after that, they end up inside waterways and lakes.

The Impacts

When this pollutant goes into the environment, in this case being the great lakes, the fish inside the lakes consume the microbeads and introduce the pollutant to the food chain meaning that when biomagnification occurs, bigger animals and humans get affected.

Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution

Microbeads are a non-point source of pollution because it is not only one manufacturer that makes these or uses them and it is also used in very different ways as it can be used for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, etc.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable

Microbeads are persistent pollutants as they not only do not biodegrade, but they also absorb pollutants around them.

Identify if Acute or Chronic

It is a chronic pollutant because it will take a really long time for manufacturers to stop using them worldwide as it took 3 years to ban these from just one country. Also, since these plastics are really small, they are really difficult or even impossible to extract from lakes and oceans.

Identify if it is primary or secondary

Microbeads are a secondary pollutant because they absorb pollutants and act more as the conductor of pollutants when being disposed of in lakes and oceans.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: Bangalore, India was once known for its lake systems which provided a reliable source of water, as the city grew this lake became contaminated with chemicals and sewage. This creates a harmful foam, which floats from the city’s largest lake and spills onto areas nearby like roads which make traveling around the city harder for people walking or on two wheels. The foam has a strong unbearable smell and it causes irritation when in contact with skin. ​​This lake includes harmful chemicals like nitrates, potassium and sulphates. Although the problem has been reported to the authorities they still have to take action against this issue, the wind in the area causes the foam to fly up into the air and into people’s houses which have caused major health issues for them. This lake has also caught fire before because of the chemical reaction which poses a major risk for wildlife and society near it.

The pollutants: The pollutants of this lake are harmful chemicals like nitrates, potassium and sulphates which come from factories and other things nearby. Things like detergents, oil and grease also affect the lake and cause chemical reactions in it.

The Sources: The pollutants come from construction and poor urban planning during the last decade as well as waste disposal and sewage in the lake or rivers nearby.

The Impacts: The impact of this foam is that it’s toxic for both the environment and the urban areas nearby. The clearest impact is that water is no longer available for use and the foam also has negative effects on people. It causes breathing difficulties and irritation on the skin. It has also killed wildlife and made the river uninhabitable for underwater species.

Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution: The foam in the Bangalore lake is a non- point pollution because the waste has been piling up for decades and it comes from a known source like sewage or waste disposal, this also makes it a bigger problem for people currently living close to the lake.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable: The toxic foam in the Bangalore lake is a persistent pollution because it comes from a chemical reaction and it does not go away or biodegrade. It’s been happening for decades and it hasn’t gone away. They also hurt the environment around them.

Identify if Acute or Chronic: This issue is chronic because it has been happening for a long time and it has serious effects on everyone around it. Aside from making it hard to move through the city it causes health issues and could even cause death in the future.

Identify if it is primary or secondary: This foam is a secondary pollutant since pesticides are man-made and it's a huge combination of chemicals. The problem is the fact that they can’t make it go away and it has become toxic for a lot of different organisms.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Summary
A dam in the Brazilian city of Brumadinho burst on January 25, 2019, killing 270 people and spilling tons of toxic sludge that devoured homes and roads downstream.

2. The pollutants

toxic mud and waste material “tailings”

3. The Sources

the iron ore operation at the mine just behind it.

4. The Impacts

Many Brumadinho residents died and disappeared. Brumadinho got hurt in a huge way, the houses were destroyed and many animals and plants died as a result of the disaster.

5. Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution

point source pollution

6. Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable

It persists because Minas Gerais generates 53% of the country's entire iron ore output, and it is in danger.

7. Identify if Acute or Chronic

Chronic

8. Identify if it is primary or secondary

Primary

Manuela Parraga

# data[].attributes.body
Summary

In eastern England, cocaine was found in shrimp samples in 15 locations around suffolk. Furthermore, ketamine, pesticides and pharmaceuticals were also found in the shrimps. Despite its quantity being small, it can potentially be harmful for wildlife and even to the people that consume it. This problem is increasing and as time passes there are more substances found in wildlife such as it was found on the shrimp.

The pollutants

Cocaine, ketamine, pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

The Sources

Solid domestic waste, litter.

The Impacts

There is a big effect on wildlife, more species can digest these substances and would be very harmful for them.

Identify if Point or Nonpoint Source Pollution

Nonpoint Source.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable

Biodegradable for the environment since it is digested by the shrimp. However it was found in their bodies which means it is still there, meaning that it can be considered persistent inside the shrimp.

Identify if Acute or Chronic

Chronic-it keeps going and is something that doesn't stop

Identify if it is primary or secondary

Primary since it is the source going in directly as a primary source.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: New Delhi has become the world’s most polluted city in the world. The air quality as well as ground and water pollution are in terrible states. Air quality seems to be the most affected, because of the city’s high rates of fossil fuel burning by cars and motorized vehicles. The government implemented a car policy in the attempt to curb pollution, however, because the rates of fossil fuel burning are way out of proportion, the positive impact did not seem to be high.

The pollutants: The pollutants in this case study are primarily composed of fossil fuel burning and carbon dioxide emissions.

The Sources:  emissions from cars and motorized vehicles, primarily public transportation vehicles containing diesel-based engines

The Impacts: It is said to cause severe lung and heart diseases, as it contains almost 20 times the healthy amount (as stated by the World Health Organization) of PM 2.5 particles per cubic meter

Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution: The pollution in this case study can be identified as point source pollution, since it discharges directly from emission sources, such as motor exhausts and car pipes.

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable: This pollution is persistent, the particles are not classified as biodegradable. The particles are generally concentrated at certain times of the day, however, they persist throughout the day and never go away completely, which indicates that it is persistent.

Identify if Acute or Chronic: This type of pollution, and particularly in this location, is identified as chronic, since it keeps going and it will most likely never stop.

Identify if it is primary or secondary: It is a primary source of pollution, as the source directly emits the pollution into the atmosphere.

# data[].attributes.body
Summary: John German commissioned an examination of pollution from diesel cars back in 2013. The exam compared what came out of their exhaust pipes with emissions on the road. Nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution from the Jetta's tailpipe was 15 times the allowed limit. US regulators demanded to see the software controlling the vehicles' pollution systems. They threatened to withhold certification for the entire US market if VW didn't hand over the source code.

Volkswagen admitted it had embedded defeat devices in 11m cars, mostly in Europe, but about 600,000 in the US. German: "VW isn't even in the worst half of the manufacturers".

The pollutants: Nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution from the Jetta’s tailpipe was 15 times the allowed limit, shooting up to 35 times under some conditions

The Sources:  Volkswagen Jetta as their first test subject, and a VW Passat next

The Impacts: 15 times the allowed limit, shooting up to 35 times under some conditions; the Passat varied between five and 20 times the limit.

Identify if Point or Non-Point Source Pollution: It is non-point since it is made from differnet parts throught thr world

Identify if Persistent or Biodegradable: It is Persistent because metal is not biodegradable and all cars are made of metal and plastic

Identify if Acute or Chronic: Chronic as it is continued and not stopped polluting

Identifiy if it is primary or secondary: Primary pollunt since it is realesed directly into the atmosphere