Classify each of the following examples as toxic, sediment, nutrient, and/or bacterial pollution. Explain your classifications.

A man washes clothes in a stream using a detergent that contains phosphorus.

1 answer

This example can be classified as both nutrient pollution and toxic pollution.

  • Nutrient Pollution: The detergent that contains phosphorus contributes to nutrient pollution. Phosphorus is a key nutrient that, when it enters water bodies in excess, can lead to algal blooms and eutrophication. This process depletes oxygen in the water and can harm aquatic life.

  • Toxic Pollution: Additionally, detergents often contain chemicals that can be toxic to aquatic organisms. Depending on the specific ingredients of the detergent, it could introduce harmful substances into the stream that adversely affect water quality and aquatic health.

In summary, washing clothes with a phosphorus-containing detergent introduces both nutrients and potentially toxic substances into the stream, making it a case of nutrient and toxic pollution.