Substance and pollutant

Pollution directly induced by industrial activity, when it introduces biological, physical (including radiation), chemical or organic allogenic factors, affecting more or less significantly the functioning of ecosystems.

Pollution resulting from wastewater discharged from households (showers, toilets, kitchen, etc.).

Environmental pollution by a chemical, physical or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. For example, appliances used for combustion in homes, motor vehicles, industries and forest fires are frequent sources of air pollution.

Pollution resulting from agricultural activities. There are two types of agricultural pollution: point source pollution, which may be the consequence of accidental handling of products or pollution from livestock buildings; non-point source pollution, resulting from poor fertilisation practices or excessive phytosanitary treatments. Agricultural pollution can also result from poor land management and spatial and plot planning that no longer limits erosion or pollutant transfers on a catchment area scale.

Mixture of farm animal excreta containing a large quantity of water, kept in covered pits to then serve as fertiliser.

Organism generated by symbiotic association between a mushroom (which brings water and mineral salts) and algae (which creates, by photosynthesis, different organic compounds that it yields in part to the mushroom). Lichens are able to withstand extreme weather conditions and are able to accumulate mineral compounds well beyond their own needs. As a result, they are often used as pollution indicators.

Pesticide used to control, repel or destroy unwanted plants.

Pesticide used to control, repel or destroy fungi.

Action to extract or destroy all or part of the pollutants present in a soil.