Sunday, December 04, 2016

The only time these were discussed on the blog was when they presented as a topic of concern. I haven't really elaborated on the chemicals or chemistry itself.

Inorganic chemical pollutants – are those chemicals of mineral origin in (not produced by living organisms). Common inorganic chemical pollutants include:

Metals and their salts – usually from mining and smelting activities, as well as disposal of mining wastes;

Organic salts contain a carbon such as sodium acetate (CH3COONa). Inorganic salts have no carbon, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), common table salt. Salts are not always benevolent to the body either. The two mentioned here are. As a matter of fact if one mixes sodium acetate and acetic acid (CH3COOH) the "Snack Food Association" (click here) would have approved of the salt and vinegar taste in potato chips.

Inorganic fertilizers (e.g., nitrates, phosphates) used largely in agriculture and gardening. If present in large amounts in water they can be harmful to human health and usually trigger algae blooming events;

Sulfides (such as pyrite) are usually mined minerals and once disposed in the environment, they may generate sulfuric acid in the presence of precipitation water and microorganisms

Ammonia is a poisonous gas if released in higher amounts and may cause blindness followed by death;

The oxides of nitrogen and sulfur are very common air pollutants resulting from vehicle emissions, industrial processes and other human activities

Acids and bases are used in a variety of industrial applications as well as in chemical laboratories. These are less problematic chemicals because their effect can be easily neutralized in the environment, but if spread in large amounts they may still pose a threat to environment and human health;

Perchlorate includes the perchloric acids and its various salts. Perchlorate is used in a variety of applications including rocket fuel, explosives, military operations, fireworks, road flares, inflation bags, etc. Perchlorate is problematic because it is persistent and may damage thyroid function in humans.