Dictionary Definition
anthropogenic adj : of or relating to the study
of the origins and development of human beings [syn: anthropogenetic]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Adjective
- of or related to the influence of human beings
or their ancestors on natural objects.
- Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence
Extensive Definition
Anthropogenic effects, processes, objects, or
materials are those that are derived from human activities, as opposed to
those occurring in natural
environments without human influences.
The term is often used in the context of environmental
externalities in the
form of chemical or
biological
wastes that are produced
as by-products of
otherwise purposeful human activities.
Sources
Anthropogenic sources include industry, agriculture, botany, mining, transportation, construction, habitations and deforestation.Industry
- Release of gases and dust into the atmosphere.
- Waste disposal practices.
- Air pollution, water pollution.
Agriculture
- Conversion of woodlands into fields and pastures including slash-and-burn techniques.
- Diversion of surface and groundwater.
- Ground water salinization due to inadequate drainage.
- Pollution of soil and water by chemicals found in fertilizer and pesticides.
- dirty or unclean water
Botany
- The human alteration of plants by breeding, selection, genetic engineering and tissue fusion (see cultigen)
Mining
- Removal of topsoil and creation of spoil piles.
- Diversion of groundwater by mine shafts.
- Surface runoff bearing mining wastes.
- Release of air pollution by refining processes.
Transportation
- Diversion of surface water flow by roadways.
- Vehicular air pollution.
- Roadway noise, aircraft noise and transit noise.
Construction
- Removal of natural habitats by grading and building
- Diversion of groundwater.
- Filling in marshes, bays, swamps, ponds, stream beds.
Habitations
- Concentration of human activities in discrete zones.
- Concentration of waste products, sewage, and debris.
anthropogenic in Danish: Antropogen
anthropogenic in German: Anthropogen
anthropogenic in Spanish: Antropogénesis
anthropogenic in Italian: Antropogenico
anthropogenic in Polish: Czynniki
antropogeniczne
anthropogenic in Portuguese: Antropogénico
anthropogenic in Swedish:
Antropogen