ABSTRACT
Many different chemicals are regarded as pollutants, ranging from simple inorganic ions to complex organic molecules. In the present chapter, representatives will be identified of all the major classes of pollutant, and their properties and occurrence will be briefly reviewed. These pollutants will be used as examples throughout the text. Their fate in the living environments will be the subject of the remainder of Part 1. Their effects upon individuals and ecosystems will be considered in Parts 2 and 3 respectively.
