What term describes the introduction of harmful substances into the environment at a rate that exceeds natural processing?

The term that best describes the introduction of harmful substances into the environment at a rate that exceeds natural processing is pollution. Pollution occurs when substances such as chemicals, waste materials, or other harmful agents accumulate in the air, water, or soil, disrupting the natural balance and causing harmful effects on ecosystems and human health. This definition emphasizes not only the presence of harmful substances but also the context of their introduction occurring at a rate that the environment cannot naturally manage or neutralize.

Depletion refers to the reduction of a resource, such as water or minerals, but does not specifically refer to the harmful substances introduced into the environment. Contamination indicates the presence of undesirable substances in the environment, but pollution more accurately captures the notion of harm caused by excessive introduction. Damage is a broader term that could refer to any negative impact, not specifically linked to the introduction of harmful substances at an unsustainable rate.