Pollution Properties

Question 1

What is persistence

Answer 1

Persistence is “the length of time it takes for a pollutant to
break down in the environment”.

Question 2

What is environmental half life

Answer 2

• Environmental half life is the time it takes for half of a
pollutant to break down.

Question 3

Why would a chemical be called persistent?

Answer 3

If it breaks down slowly

Question 4

What would determine persistence

Answer 4

The chemical structure and the environment that the chemical
encounters

Question 5

Can persistent chemicals travel for a great distance and cause impacts for a long time?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

Biodegradation

Answer 6

• Biodegradation: caused by living organisms eg bacteria breaking down
sewage.