Pollution

Choose the correct option

Question 1

Any change in the natural quality of the environment brought about chemical, physical or biological factors:

1. Pollution
2. Dust
3. Humidity
4. Pollutants

Answer

Pollution

Question 2

The products which are released into the biosphere in large quantities and which affect the normal functioning of ecosystems:

1. Pollution
2. Dust
3. Humidity
4. Pollutants

Answer

Pollutants

Question 3

Any unfavourable alteration of our surroundings, wholly or largely as a byproduct of man's actions:

1. Pollution
2. Environmental Pollution
3. Humidity
4. Pollutants

Answer

Environmental Pollution

Question 4

The alteration in characteristics of water, making it unsuitable for designated use in its natural state:

1. Air Pollution
2. Water Pollution
3. Soil Pollution
4. Radioactive Pollution

Answer

Water Pollution

Question 5

The pollutants which are formed from the chemical reaction of primary pollutants in the environment:

1. Biodegradable pollutants
2. Secondary pollutants
3. Quantitative pollutants
4. Non-Biodegradable pollutants

Answer

Secondary pollutants

Question 6

The excessive concentration of foreign matter in the air which adversely affects the well-being of human beings, animals, plants and their environment:

1. Air Pollution
2. Pollution
3. Soil Pollution
4. Radioactive Pollution

Answer

Air Pollution

Question 7

The pollutants which are not degraded by microbes or degrade at a very slow rate:

1. Biodegradable pollutants
2. Primary pollutants
3. Quantitative pollutants
4. Non-Biodegradable pollutants

Answer

Non-Biodegradable pollutants

Question 8

Unwanted sound that is an irritant and source of stress:

1. Air pollution
2. Radioactive pollution
3. Noise pollution
4. Soil pollution

Answer

Noise pollution

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of soil pollution?

1. Disposal of solid waste in the open
2. Dumping sewage in the open
3. Overuse of fertilizers
4. All of the above.

Answer

All of the above

Question 10

Nuclear fuels produce pollution by ................. .

1. heat
2. end products
3. wastes in coolants
4. All of the above.

Answer

All of the above

Short Answer Questions

Question 1

What is environmental pollution? What is a pollutant?

Answer

Environmental pollution refers to any unfavourable alteration of our surroundings, wholly or largely as a byproduct of man's actions. These changes may affect man and other organisms.

Pollutants are the products which are released into the biosphere in large quantities and which affect the normal functioning of ecosystems and have an adverse effect on plants, animals and man.

Question 2

Give the difference between natural and man-made pollutants.

Answer

Question 3

What is air pollution? Give a source of air pollution.

Answer

Air pollution is the excessive concentration of foreign matter in the air which adversely affects the well being of human beings, animals, plants and their environment.

Fumes released by automobiles like cars, scooters etc are one of the causes of air pollution.

Question 4

Define water pollution.

Answer

Water pollution can be defined as alteration in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of water, making it unsuitable for designated use in its natural state.

Question 5

What is soil pollution? Why should we avoid soil pollution?

Answer

Soil pollution is defined as the change in physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil through man's intervention resulting in degradation in quality and productivity of the soil.

We should avoid soil pollution because of the following reasons-

1. The pollutants enter the food chain at the plant level and get magnified as we move up the food chain.
2. The pollutants remain in the soil for relatively longer periods.

Question 6

What is radioactive pollution?

Answer

Radioactive pollution is defined as the increase in natural background radiation, emerging from the activities of man using naturally occurring or artificially produced radioactive materials.

Question 7

What is noise pollution?

Answer

Noise pollution is defined as an unwanted sound that is an irritant and a source of stress.

Structured Questions

Question 1(a)

With reference to pollution, explain the following:

(i) Air pollution

(ii) Water pollution

Answer

(i) Air pollution is the excessive concentration of foreign matter in the air which adversely affects the well being of human beings, animals, plants and their environment.

(ii) Water pollution can be defined as alteration in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of water, making it unsuitable for designated use in its natural state.

Question 1(b)

Explain what is radioactive pollution.

Answer

Radioactive pollution is defined as the increase in natural background radiation, emerging from the activities of man using naturally occurring or artificially produced radioactive materials.

Question 1(c)

What are man-made causes of radioactive pollution? Why is radioactive pollution more harmful than other types of pollution?

Answer

There are mainly two man-made causes of radioactive pollution:

1. Nuclear fuels used in atomic reactor — There are two types of waste formed in a Nuclear Reactor which cause pollution:
   1. The fission products remaining in both the primary and secondary fuels.
   2. Waste products in the coolant
2. Nuclear Weapons — Development and testing of Nuclear weapons creates risk of leakage of radioactive radiations in the environment. The atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki caused huge destruction and had an enormous impact on the environment till decades later.

Radioactive pollution is more harmful than other types of pollution because the high level products of nuclear wastes remain in the environment for several hundred years. Leakage in nuclear reactors causes environmental pollution and the leakage may result in the death of a number of people.

Question 1(d)

How is noise a source of pollution? Why do we need to look at the problem of noise pollution seriously?

Answer

Noise is a physical form of pollution which is not directly harmful to the life supporting systems. It is not fatal to human life, yet its effects cannot be overlooked because repeated exposure to noise reduces the sleeping hours, productivity or efficiency of a human being and it affects the peace of mind and invades the privacy of a human being.

Thinking Skills

Question 1

Which type/types of pollution is/are more prominent in the city where you live? List the causes and possible remedies?

Answer

Air pollution is a significant environmental concern in my city. The major sources of air pollution in the city are:

1. Vehicular Emissions — A high number of vehicles on the road contribute to air pollution.
2. Industrial emissions — The city has a considerable number of industries that emit pollutants such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
3. Construction activities — The ongoing construction activities in the city also contribute to air pollution through dust emissions.
4. Deforestation — To accommodate the growing population of the city, the surrounding forest area is being cut to develop housing colonies and various other amenities.

Various measures that can be taken to check air pollution in the city are:

1. Encouraging the use of public transport can help to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, which in turn can help to reduce emissions.
2. Promoting the use of renewable energy sources can help to reduce emissions from industries and other sources.
3. Implementing stricter regulations for industries can enforce stricter emission norms for industries to limit the amount of pollution they release into the air.
4. Promoting green spaces in the city can develop green spaces to absorb pollutants and improve air quality.

Question 2

Environmental pollution is an incurable disease which can only be prevented. Justify this statement giving examples.

Answer

Environmental pollution is an incurable disease which can only be prevented. This can be well understood by the following examples:

1. Air pollution — Once pollutants like particulate matter and harmful gases are released into the air, it is difficult to remove them completely. Prevention measures like promoting clean energy sources, implementing emission controls, and reducing industrial pollution are crucial to prevent the occurrence of air pollution.
2. Water pollution — Once water bodies are contaminated with pollutants such as chemicals, toxins, and waste, it can be challenging and expensive to clean them. Prevention through proper waste management, reducing industrial discharges, and promoting responsible agricultural practices is essential to prevent water pollution.
3. Soil pollution — Once soil is contaminated by pollutants like chemicals, heavy metals, or pesticides, it can take a long time to restore its fertility. Prevention measures such as using organic farming practices, responsible use of fertilizers and pesticides, and proper waste disposal can help prevent soil pollution.

In each case, proactive prevention measures are more effective in mitigating environmental pollution than attempting to cure or reverse the damage caused.

Practical Work

Question 1

Write down five harmful effects of using non-biodegradable products like plastic bags. Suggest measures that can help to replace plastic bags with eco-friendly products.

Answer

Harmful effects of using non-biodegradable products like plastic bags are:

1. Environmental pollution — Non-biodegradable plastic bags contribute to environmental pollution when improperly disposed of, leading to littering of land, water bodies, and natural habitats.
2. Wildlife and marine life impact — Animals can mistake plastic bags for food or become entangled in them, resulting in injury, suffocation, and death. Marine life suffers from plastic pollution in oceans and waterways.
3. Soil degradation — When plastic bags end up in soil, they can hinder water and nutrient absorption, affecting the growth of plants. The presence of plastic debris in soil disrupts natural processes and can lead to long-term soil degradation.
4. Health hazards — Non-biodegradable plastic bags can release toxic chemicals and microplastics into the environment. These pollutants can contaminate water sources, enter the food chain, and pose risks to human health.
5. Long-term persistence — Plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to their long-term presence in the environment and the accumulation of plastic waste.

Some measures that can help to replace plastic bags with eco-friendly products are:

1. Promote reusable bags made from sustainable materials like cotton, jute, or canvas.
2. Support the development and use of biodegradable bags made from materials like bioplastics or compostable plant fibers.
3. Implement policies such as plastic bag bans, levies, or mandatory fees to discourage the use of plastic bags.
4. Raise public awareness about the harmful effects of plastic bags and the benefits of eco-friendly alternatives.
5. Promote responsible waste management and encourage individuals to choose reusable bags.