Assimilative capacity is the ability for pollutants to be absorbed by an environment without detrimental effects to the environment or those who use of it.[1] Natural absorption into an environment is achieved through dilution, dispersion and removal through chemical or biological processes.[1] The term assimilative capacity has been used interchangeably with environmental capacity, receiving capacity and absorptive capacity.[2] It is used as a measurement perimeter in hydrology, meteorology and pedology for a variety of environments examples consist of: lakes, rivers, oceans, cities and soils. Assimilative capacity is a subjective measurement that is quantified by governments and institutions such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of environments into guidelines.[3][4] Using assimilative capacity as a guideline can help the allocation of resources while reducing the impact on organisms in an environment.[5] This concept is paired with carrying capacity in order to facilitate sustainable development of city regions.[1] Assimilative capacity has been critiqued as to its effectiveness due to ambiguity in its definition that can confuses readers and false assumptions that a small amount of pollutants has no harmful effect on an environment.[6]
- ^ a b c Khanna, P; Ram Babu, P; Suju, M. (1999). "Carrying-capacity as a basis for sustainable development a case study of National Capital Region in India". Progress in Planning. 52 (2): 101–166. doi:10.1016/s0305-9006(99)00004-5. ISSN 0305-9006.
- ^ Masini, R. J; Cary, J. L; Simpson, C. J; McComb, A. J. (1995). "Effects of light and temperature on the photosynthesis of temperate meadow-forming seagrasses in Western Australia". Aquatic Botany. 49 (4): 239–254. Bibcode:1995AqBot..49..239M. doi:10.1016/0304-3770(94)00432-l. ISSN 0304-3770.
- ^ Goyal, P; Anand, S; Gera, B. S. (2006). "Assimilative capacity and pollutant dispersion studies for Gangtok city". Atmospheric Environment. 40 (9): 1671–1682. Bibcode:2006AtmEn..40.1671G. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.10.057. ISSN 1352-2310.
- ^ US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2015). "Overview of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)". US EPA. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
- ^ Cairns Jr, J. (1998). "Assimilative capacity – the key to sustainable use of the planet". Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Stress and Recovery. 6 (4): 259–263. doi:10.1023/a:1009902127556. ISSN 1386-1980. S2CID 195219452.
- ^ Stebbing, A.R.D. (1981). "Assimilative capacity". Marine Pollution Bulletin. 12 (11): 362–363. Bibcode:1981MarPB..12..362S. doi:10.1016/0025-326x(81)90403-3. ISSN 0025-326X.