Hello Iwalk.
Good topic for a science fair project.
I expect you are looking for a little more input than
that though, but let's face it - you are kind of vague
about what kind of input you are looking for - and
pollution is a big topic with a lot of big arguments
about what it all means.
So how about this as a start? Here is the definition
of pollution from HyperDictionary (on line dictionary)
[n] the act of contaminating or polluting; including
(either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted
substances or factors
[n] the state of being polluted
[n] undesirable state of the natural environment
being contaminated with harmful substances as a
consequence of human activities
OK - pretty basic , but a place to start.
1. "the act of contaminating or polluting; including
(either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted
substances or factors "
Pretty much anything you do adds things to the
environment. Not just people, and not just trash or
not just industry For example anything that breaths
exhales carbon dioxide, which is a green house gas.
So does your cat add to global warming? Well, maybe
a little bit, but sure not as much as a big truck, an
SUV or a volcano - all of which give off a lot more.
One of the issues about pollution is what to do about
it (get a hamster instead of a cat? - get a compact
car instead of an SUV? go plug up a volcano?) some of
the things you can do - some you can't, some might
help - some probably don't (by the way - the ocean
plays a big part in getting rid of carbon dioxide and
managing that greenhouse gas)
2.) "the state of being polluted" - So just about
every living thing picks up some of those "unwanted
substances or factors". For example - to get back to
whales for a minute - many marine mammals feed near
the top of the food web - This means that they are
feeding mostly on animals that have fed on other
animals or plants (which in turn may have fed on other
plants and animals etc, etc). Unless those "unwanted
substances" can be eliminated from the prey animals
each time they feed they get the total collected over
the lifetime of the prey. This is a process called
"bioaccumulation" and it is the reason higher order
predators (like many marine mammals - and by the way -
people) can be exposed to high doses of "unwanted
substances or factors".
3.) "undesirable state of the natural environment
being contaminated with harmful substances as a
consequence of human activities"
Well I guess this means no one is going to be in favor
of polluting the environment - so my input?- I'll
agree. Who would'nt? The real question though is
what can be done about it to reduce what goes into the
environment, or manage what does or has already gotten
there.
That is a big problem on it's own and might be a part
of a good science fair project. D'Ya think?
good luck,
ge
--- Tesla Moriss <iwalkintodoors07@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hello Mister Pollution Expert,
> I am doing science fair this year and i wanted to
> know your input on pollution, Thanks
> Please send the answer to me by January 15.
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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