Question 1

Question 8Unwanted sound that is an irritant and source of stress:Air pollutionRadioactive pollutionNoise pollutionSoil pollution

Accepted Answer

Noise pollution

Question 2

Question 9Which of the following is an example of soil pollution?Disposal of solid waste in the openDumping sewage in the openOveruse of fertilizersAll of the above.

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Question 3

Question 10Nuclear fuels produce pollution byheatend productswastes in coolantsAll of the above.

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Question 4

Question 11Assertion (A): Eighty per cent of marine pollution comes from land.Reason (R): Mining for materials such as copper and gold is a major source of contamination in the ocean.Both A and R are true and R is one of the reasons for A.Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.A is true but R is false.A is false but R is true.

Accepted Answer

Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.Explanation — Mining for materials such as copper and gold is indeed a major source of contamination in the ocean. However, many other activities such as spreading of harmful substances like oil, plastic, industrial and agricultural waste and chemical particles into the ocean contribute to the mentioned eighty per cent of marine pollution from land.

Question 5

Question 1Write 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.

Accepted Answer

Harmful effects of using non-biodegradable products like plastic bags are:Environmental pollution — Non-biodegradable plastic bags contribute to environmental pollution when improperly disposed of, leading to littering of land, water bodies, and natural habitats.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.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.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.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:Promote reusable bags made from sustainable materials like cotton, jute, or canvas.Support the development and use of biodegradable bags made from materials like bioplastics or compostable plant fibers.Implement policies such as plastic bag bans, levies, or mandatory fees to discourage the use of plastic bags.Raise public awareness about the harmful effects of plastic bags and the benefits of eco-friendly alternatives.Promote responsible waste management and encourage individuals to choose reusable bags.

Question 6

Question 5What is soil pollution? Why should we avoid soil pollution?

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

Question 7

Question 6What is radioactive pollution?

Accepted 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 8

Question 7What is noise pollution?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

Question 1(c)Give a geographical reason for each of the following:(i)	Music is relaxing but playing it loud is a source of pollution.(ii) Secondary pollutants are toxic.(iii) Pesticides are qualitative pollutants.

Accepted Answer

(i) Music is relaxing when played at low volume. However, loud music becomes noise and adversely affects a person. Repeated exposure to loud music 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. Hence, loud music becomes unpleasant and is a source of Noise pollution.(ii) Secondary pollutants are formed from the chemical reaction of primary pollutants in the environment. These pollutants react in the presence of sunlight, water vapour, or other chemicals to form new substances which are often more harmful and toxic than the original pollutants.(iii) This is because pesticides are toxic chemicals created by humans to aid in agriculture. They alter the quality of the environment by introducing harmful chemicals that were not originally present.

Question 10

Question 1(d)List the main sources of pollution of ocean waters.

Accepted Answer

The main sources of pollution of ocean waters are — oil, plastic, industrial and agricultural waste, chemical particles and waste from mining for materials such as copper and gold.

Question 11

Question 2Environmental pollution is an incurable disease which can only be prevented. Justify this statement giving examples.

Accepted Answer

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

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