Journal of Geography  & Natural Disasters
Open Access

Environmental Contaminants

Environmental Contaminants. Environmental contaminants are chemicals that accidentally or deliberately enter the environment, often, but not always, as a result of human activities. Some of these contaminants may have been manufactured for industrial use and because they are very stable, they do not break down easily. Environmental contamination is the result of the irrational use of resources at the wrong place and at the wrong time. Environmental contamination has changed the lifestyle of people virtually all over the world, and has reduced the extent of life on earth. Examples of chemical contaminants include nitrogen, bleach, salts, pesticides, metals, toxins produced by bacteria, and human or animal drugs. Biological contaminants are organisms in water. They are also referred to as microbes or microbiological contaminants.

The causes of environmental pollution are many, including oil, air pollution, and soil erosion. ... Through soil erosion, silt is transported to water bodies, making water unclean for human consumption. Silt clogs in respiratory systems of aquatic organisms, such as gills of fish and stomata in plants.

Contaminants in the environment can look and smell pretty nasty, but their impacts go beyond just aesthetics. ... Chemicals can also get into sediments, impacting large coastal areas, threatening human health, and reducing the economic well being of regions that depend on a healthy coastal environment.