micropollutant

English

Etymology

From micro- +‎ pollutant.

Noun

micropollutant (plural micropollutants)

1. (ecology) Any pollutant that has a toxic effect at very small concentrations.
   • 1983 June 29, Dudley Clendinen, quoting Bernhard Ulrich, “Concern On Acid Rain Extending To Public Health”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     “The long-term effect of air pollution by acid-formers like sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, heavy metals and organic micropollutants means the poisoning of the ecosphere and the hydrosphere,” Professor Ulrich said.

   • 2013, Jiri Hrubec, Water Pollution: Drinking Water and Drinking Water Treatment, Springer, →ISBN, page 43:

     On the other hand, intermittent loading of an adsorbable micropollutant can result in significant short-term removal, because the accumulated biomass in the reactor can take up the micropollutant until equilibrium is reached.