The example of gasoline leaking from an underground storage tank at an old gas station can be classified as toxic pollution.
Explanation:
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Toxic Pollution: Gasoline contains a variety of harmful substances, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (collectively known as BTEX). These compounds are considered toxic because they can be harmful to human health and the environment, even at low concentrations.
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Why Not Sediment, Nutrient, or Bacterial Pollution?:
- Sediment Pollution: This involves the physical disruption and increase of soil or particulate matter in water bodies, often from erosion or construction activities. Gasoline leakage does not pertain to sediment.
- Nutrient Pollution: This typically refers to excessive nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus) that lead to algal blooms and other ecological issues. Gasoline does not contribute nutrients to the environment.
- Bacterial Pollution: This involves the presence of harmful bacteria in water, usually from sewage or livestock waste. Gasoline leakage is not related to bacterial contamination.
Overall, the presence of gasoline in the environment poses risks due to its toxicity, which justifies the classification as toxic pollution.