7.3.2: Waste management
Not started yet — this one needs some love.
Rapid growth in the human population and an increase in the standard of living mean that increasingly more resources are used and more waste is produced.
Unless waste and chemical materials are properly handled, more pollution will be caused.
Water pollution can come from sewage, fertiliser or toxic chemicals.
Air pollution can come from smoke and acidic gases.
Land pollution can come from landfill and toxic chemicals.
Pollution kills plants and animals which can reduce biodiversity.
Pollution example: toxic chemicals in water may kill aquatic plants and animals, reducing biodiversity in the ecosystem.
Common exam mistakes
For fertiliser or sewage pollution, include the chain: algal or bacterial growth, decomposition or respiration, oxygen decrease, then animal death.
Do not just say "pollution is bad"; name whether it is water, air or land pollution and its source.
Vague sources such as "industrial waste" may not be enough; name a pollutant such as sewage, fertiliser, toxic chemicals, smoke or acidic gases.
Acidic gases are linked to air pollution at release, not water pollution at that point.