Question 1

Question 1What is meant by spoilage of landscape? How does it affect the environment?

Accepted Answer

Spoilage of landscape refers to the heaps of rubbish garbage and trash in urban cities that is left uncared or untreated. It affects the environment in following ways:It spoils the aesthetic beauty of the land and causes severe damage to the earth.It becomes the breeding ground for insects, flies and mosquitoes.It may spread infectious diseases.

Question 2

Question 2What is meant by pollutant? Give two examples of air pollutants.

Accepted Answer

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.Two examples of air pollutants are:Carbon monoxide.Sulphur dioxide.

Question 3

Question 3Name two diseases caused by air pollution.

Accepted Answer

Two diseases caused by air pollution are:Asthma.Lung cancer.

Question 4

Question 4What is meant by eutrophication? How does it affect aquatic life?

Accepted Answer

Eutrophication refers to excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants in water bodies. It occurs due to introduction of nutrients and chemicals through discharge of domestic sewage, industrial effluents and fertilizers from agricultural field. It causes depletion of oxygen and reduction of light and heat in the water bodies which results in death of aquatic animals and rotting of plants.

Question 5

Question 5Name the disease caused by mercury contamination in Japan.

Accepted Answer

The disease caused by mercury contamination in Japan is Minamata.

Question 6

Question 6What affect does the burning of organic waste has on environment?

Accepted Answer

The burning of organic waste has following effects on environment:It releases toxic gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gases.Smoke contains particulate matter which can enter lungs and affect respiratory system.The smoke when combines with condensed moisture cause smog, which is dangerous for lungs.

Question 7

Question 7Name any three diseases caused due to water pollution.

Accepted Answer

Three diseases caused due to water pollution are:CholeraDysenteryMinamata

Question 8

Question 8What is meant by biomagnification?

Accepted Answer

The term biomagnification means increasing concentration of various toxic substances along the food chains.

Question 9

Question 9How is acid rain caused? What are its effects?

Accepted Answer

Pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide mix with the moisture in the air to become sulphuric acid and nitric acid. Rain, snow and other precipitation containing sulphuric acid and nitric acid fall to the earth causing acid rain.Acid rain causes extensive damage to forests, fish, animals and human beings. It also damages the statues and stonework of buildings. It may cause crop destruction and respiratory problems in children.

Question 10

Question 10What are hazards caused by soil pollutions?

Accepted Answer

Following are the hazards of soil pollution:The toxic substances present in soil dissolve in water and percolates with water, polluting the ground water.Leaching of fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural fields lead to eutrophication in water bodies.Polluted soil becomes unfit for growing crops.Direct pollution of land by pathogenic organisms also increase toxicity in Soil.It may endanger life of humans, animals and insects.

Question 11

Question 11What are the effects of untreated solid waste?

Accepted Answer

The effects of untreated solid wastes are:Accumulation and fermentation of waste can cause various infectious and chronic diseases.Exposure to hazardous wastes can affect human health and lead to chemical poisoning.Agricultural and industrial waste cause serious chemical and radioactive hazards to human life.Medical wastes can create serious health hazards by spreading diseases.Problems of insects, flies and rodents increase.Some chemicals present in waste like cyanides, polyclorinated phenyls and mercury are very toxic and can lead to death.

Question 12

Question 12Why is it essential to have proper disposal of wastes?

Accepted Answer

It is essential to have proper disposal of wastes because careless disposal can lead to following problems:can cause spread of diseasescan aggravate problem of insects, flies and rodentstoxic substances in waste can cause cancer and genetic disordercolour pigment of plastics contain heavy metals.Some chemicals present in waste like cyanides, polyclorinated phenyls and mercury are very toxic and can lead to death.

Question 13

Question 13Name the diseases spread by industrial effluents.

Accepted Answer

The diseases spread by industrial effluents are:Heavy metal poisoningCancerLiver and kidney damageRespiratory diseasesGastrointestinal ulcerNeurological disordersMinamataItai-itaiSkin diseasesBirth defects

Question 14

Question 14How do farm waste affect human life? Name any two harmful substances they contain.

Accepted Answer

Farm wastes are generally burnt or dumped as such. If burnt they produce smoke, harmful gases and cause air pollution. The farm waste have residues of pesticides which can leach and cause water and soil pollution. Two harmful substances they may contain are aluminium phosphide (pesticide) and cresol (used in fibre treatment).

Question 15

Question 15Name any three pollutants produced by chemical effects from industries? How do they affect terrestrial life?

Accepted Answer

Three pollutants produced by chemical effluent from industries are Fluorine, Arsenic and Cadmium. Following are the effects of these pollutants on terrestrial life:Cattle and sheep are most commonly affected by Fluorosis.Arsenic causes chronic poisoning in animals and humans.Earthworms and other soil organisms are extremely susceptible to cadmium poisoning.

Question 16

Question 16How does DDT affect the marine life?

Accepted Answer

DDT was used as an insecticide and is the most widespread man-made pollutant. It is fatal to fish. It affects various systems of aquatic animals and is immensely destructive to them.

Question 17

Question 17Why is fluoride harmful to cattle?

Accepted Answer

Fluorides are harmful to cattle because its higher concentration can cause fluorosis in them. It can damage their bones and teeth. Diarrhoea, weight loss, lowered fertility and reduced milk production are major effects of fluorides seen in cattle.

Question 18

Question 18How do plastics affect marine life?

Accepted Answer

Plastics affect marine life in several ways:Entanglement — Marine animals, especially sea turtles, birds, and seals, can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury, suffocation, and death.Ingestion — Marine animals can ingest plastic fragments, causing physical harm and toxic effects, including starvation due to blockages of their digestive systems.Chemical pollution — Plastics can absorb toxic chemicals from seawater, and these chemicals can then be ingested by marine life when they ingest the plastic.

Question 19

Question 19Give two reasons why waste must be managed efficiently?

Accepted Answer

Two reasons why waste must be managed efficiently are:Inefficient waste management can lead to many communicable and hazardous diseases.Direct handling of solid waste can result in various types of chronic diseases affecting the waste workers and the rag pickers.

Question 20

Question 20Why should waste be recycled?

Accepted Answer

Waste should be recycled as it helps to conserve the natural resources that otherwise would be used by manufacturers. It also helps reduce the pollution that may result from disposal of various waste materials.

Waste Management — Impact of Waste Accumulation