con·tam·i·nate

• contaminate [from contamen 'contact'] →contaminant, contamination, pollute pollutant, pollution

Is There A Difference Between Pollution And Contamination?

Pollution primarily deals with waste materials that harm the air, soil, water, and space. In most cases, pollution occurs when contaminants reach an alarming rate. Air pollution is the presence of harmful compounds in the atmosphere, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and chlorofluorocarbons, which lead to adverse effects such as respiratory problems and depletion of the ozone layer. Water pollution occurs when waste from domestic or commercial activities drains into bodies of water, leading to the destruction of marine life. Land pollution occurs when elements such as pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, and other harmful materials are introduced into the soil, degrading the soil fertility. Light contamination occurs due to the use of bright lights and the rise of industrialization and results in over-illumination and astronomical interference. Noise pollution is caused by exposure to harmful noise from vehicles, sonars, aircraft, and explosives. Such noise leads to psychological problems, as well as auditory difficulties.

Contamination occurs when an external material is introduced to the original matter, or when an already existing substance exceeds the normal level. Contamination may or may not be harmful, depending on the level of variation and the nature of the contaminant. The definition of contamination varies depending on the field involved, as highlighted below.

In chemistry, contamination is the presence of an impure substance that alters the outcome of a chemical reaction. Additionally, in food chemistry, contamination refers to the presence of pathogens in food. Chemical contamination may not necessarily be caused by the introduction of a foreign substance but can occur due to a change in factors that influence a chemical process, such as heat.

In radiology, contamination occurs when the level of radiation is above the normal, desired, or expected level within a human body or an environment. Some locations, such as nuclear waste sites and nuclear power plants, are highly restricted due to the presence of radioactive material.

In forensic science, contamination occurs when evidence collected at a crime scene or during an investigation is tampered with by unwanted substances such as DNA, fingerprints, or hair strands. When forensic contamination occurs, the sampled evidence is no longer valid.

TEPCO: Fukushima nuclear [福岛核污水] sewage discharge facility will officially start construction on August 4
2022/8/3 下午3:29:42
China News Service, August 3. According to Kyodo News [共同社新闻], Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company announced on the 3rd that the construction of the submarine tunnel and other discharge equipment for nuclear sewage discharge from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station [福岛第一核电站] will officially start on August 4th. On March 17, local time, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.

• Japan has officially decided to discharge nuclear sewage into the sea. Does the Fukushima nuclear accident really have to pay for the world?
• TEPCO: Fukushima nuclear sewage discharge facility will officially start construction on August 4

六级/考研单词: contaminate, pollute, differentiate, compound, carbon, sulfur, dioxide, adverse, deplete, ozone, plug, marine, pesticide, degrade, fertile, astronomy, interfere, explode, psychology, norm, radiate, desire, radioactive, investigate, fingerprint, strand, valid, discharge, construct, accord, submarine, tunnel, equip, march