micropollutant

plural micropollutants

1. biologyAny pollutant that has a toxic effect at very small concentrations.

   “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.

   1983 June 29, Dudley Clendinen, quoting Bernhard Ulrich, “Concern On Acid Rain Extending To Public Health”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   1 more example

   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.

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