Waste Management — I Impact of Waste Accumulation — Question 11

(i) Marine animals and turtles are found dead in many coastal areas due to plastic debris in the ocean. More than 80% of this plastic comes from land. It washes out from the beaches and streets. It travels through storm drains into streams and rivers. It flies away from landfills into seas. In the ocean, this plastic waste breaks down into smaller pieces, which are easily ingested by marine animals causing blockages in their digestive tracts and eventual death. Marine turtles are more susceptible to the effects of consuming marine debris because they have downward facing spines which prevent the possibility of regurgitation.

(ii) Radioactive waste is more harmful than other waste because radioactive wastes cause pollution and damage the environment and the high level products of nuclear wastes remain in the environment for several hundred years.

(iii) Uncontrolled burning of waste creates smoke and other air pollutants that release toxic substances into the environment and cause air pollution.