Some times secondary pollutants like Ozone, PAN (Peroxy acyl nitrate), `HNO_(3), H_(2)SO_(4)` formed from primary pollutants are moer toxic than primary pollutants. This phenomenon of increased toxicity in pollutants is called

Options

A. Biomagnification
B. Eutrophication
C. Synergism
D. Green house effect

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks about the phenomenon where secondary pollutants, which are formed from primary pollutants, exhibit increased toxicity compared to the primary pollutants themselves.

2. **Identifying Secondary Pollutants**: Examples of secondary pollutants mentioned in the question include ozone (O3), peroxyacyl nitrate (PAN), nitric acid (HNO3), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4). These pollutants are formed through chemical reactions involving primary pollutants.

3. **Defining the Phenomenon**: The phenomenon where the toxicity of combined pollutants is greater than the individual effects of each pollutant is known as synergism.

4. **Explaining Synergism**: Synergism occurs when two or more pollutants interact in a way that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects. This can happen through various mechanisms, such as:
- Acting on the same biological pathway.
- Influencing each other's effectiveness or toxicity.
- Being dose-dependent, meaning the interaction may vary based on the concentration of the pollutants involved.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the phenomenon of increased toxicity in secondary pollutants formed from primary pollutants is called **synergism**.

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