Different Types of Pollution (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS)): Revision Note

Point Source

Non-Point Source

Point source pollution comes from a single identifiable source, such as a factory or a sewage treatment plant

Non-point source pollution comes from dispersed sources, such as runoff from agricultural fields or urban areas

Persistent

Biodegradable

Persistent pollution does not degrade or break down quickly, such as heavy metals or certain pesticides

Biodegradable pollution can be broken down by natural processes, such as organic waste

Acute Effects

Chronic Effects

Acute effects of pollution occur in a high concentration for a short period of time, such as an oil spill

Chronic effects of pollution occur over a long period of time in lower concentrations, such as air pollution from vehicle emissions

Primary

Secondary

Primary pollutants are directly emitted into the environment, such as carbon monoxide or particulate matter from burning fossil fuels

Secondary pollutants form when primary pollutants undergo physical or chemical reactions in the atmosphere, such as the formation of ozone from nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds