Chapter-18 Pollution of Air and Water

Explanation:

Water can get contaminated in several ways. Here are some of the most common ways water can become contaminated:

1. Microbial contamination: Water can get contaminated by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, and giardiasis.

2. Chemical contamination: Water can be contaminated by chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals. These contaminants can cause a range of health problems, including cancer, kidney damage, and neurological damage.

3. Physical contamination: Water can be physically contaminated by particles such as dirt, sediment, and organic matter. These particles can affect the taste and smell of the water, and they may also clog pipes and filters.

4. Agricultural contamination: Water can be contaminated by agricultural activities such as runoff from fertilizers and pesticides, animal waste, and irrigation practices.

5. Human activities: Water can be contaminated by human activities such as sewage discharges, oil spills, and dumping of waste. These activities can introduce a range of pollutants into the water, including pathogens, chemicals, and physical contaminants.

Explanation:

There are many ways in which individuals can help reduce air pollution. Here are some actions that you can take at an individual level:

1. Reduce your use of personal vehicles: Try to walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of driving your car. This can significantly reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions.

2. Conserve energy: Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, and turn off appliances when they are not in use. This can reduce the amount of energy that needs to be generated, which can help reduce air pollution from power plants.

3. Reduce, reuse, and recycle: This can help reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills, which can emit pollutants into the air.

4. Plant trees and vegetation: Trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, which can help reduce air pollution.

5. Support clean energy: Use renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power, and support policies that promote clean energy.

6. Avoid burning waste: Burning trash or yard waste can release harmful pollutants into the air. Use composting and recycling instead.

7. Avoid using harmful chemicals: Choose non-toxic alternatives to cleaning products, pesticides, and other chemicals that can contribute to air pollution.

Explanation:

Clear, transparent water is not always fit for drinking. While clear water may look clean, it may still contain harmful contaminants that can cause serious health problems. In fact, some contaminants may not even be visible to the naked eye.

Therefore, it is essential to treat water before drinking it, even if it appears to be clear and transparent. Water treatment methods such as boiling, chlorination, and filtration can help remove or reduce the amount of harmful contaminants in the water.

Explanation:

As a member of the municipal body, here are some measures that can help ensure the supply of clean water to all residents in our town:

1. Regular water quality testing: Regular water quality testing is necessary to ensure that the water supply meets the required standards. We can set up a water testing laboratory and conduct frequent tests to detect any potential contamination.

2. Upgrading the water treatment plant: We can upgrade the water treatment plant by installing advanced filtration and disinfection systems to remove pollutants and harmful chemicals from the water.

3. Repair and maintenance of water supply infrastructure: Regular maintenance and repair of water supply infrastructure such as pipes, valves, and pumps can help prevent leaks and contamination.

4. Promote water conservation: Encouraging residents to conserve water can help reduce the demand on the water supply, which can help maintain the quality of the water. We can also promote rainwater harvesting and reuse of greywater for non-potable purposes.

5. Water source protection: Protecting the source of our water supply from pollution is essential to ensure the quality of the water. We can implement measures such as buffer zones, land-use planning, and pollution prevention measures to protect the water source.

Explanation:

Pure air refers to the air that is free from harmful pollutants and has a balanced composition of natural gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. It is the type of air that we breathe in natural environments, away from human-made sources of pollution.

Polluted air, on the other hand, is the air that contains harmful contaminants, such as gases, particles, and biological molecules, that can harm human health and the environment. Polluted air is usually the result of human activities, such as industrial processes, transportation, and burning fossil fuels.

Explanation:

It is caused by the emission of pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, which react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acidic compounds.

These acids precipitate and come down in the form of acid rain.

Here are some circumstances leading to acid rain:

1. Burning of fossil fuels: The burning of coal, oil, and natural gas releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

2. Transportation: Vehicles that burn fossil fuels, such as cars and trucks, also contribute to the emission of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

3. Industrial processes: Industries that produce electricity, cement, and chemicals are significant sources of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.

4. Natural sources: Volcanic eruptions, wildfires, and lightning can also contribute to the emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.

Acid rain can have several harmful effects on the environment and human health, including:

1. Damage to crops: Acid rain can damage crops by changing the pH levels of soil, which can affect plant growth and reduce crop yields.

2. Forest damage: Acid rain can cause damage to forests by damaging leaves and needles, affecting the growth of trees, and making them more susceptible to diseases and pests.

3. Water pollution: Acid rain can cause lakes and rivers to become acidic, which can harm aquatic life such as fish and plants.

4. Building damage: Acid rain can corrode buildings and monuments made of stone or metal, causing damage to their surfaces and weakening their structures.

5. Health effects: Acid rain can also have health effects on humans, such as respiratory problems and skin irritation.

Explanation:

The answer is (d) Nitrogen.

Nitrogen is not a greenhouse gas. While it is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, it is considered a "passive" gas and does not absorb or emit infrared radiation, which is necessary for a gas to be classified as a greenhouse gas. The other gases listed, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and methane, are all greenhouse gases.

Explanation:

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that occurs when certain gases in the Earth's atmosphere, known as greenhouse gases, trap the heat from the sun's radiation and keep the Earth's temperature within a suitable range for life to exist.

Here is how the greenhouse effect works:

1. The sun radiates energy towards the Earth in the form of visible light and ultraviolet radiation.

2. About one-third of the incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space by clouds, the Earth's surface, and other reflective surfaces.

3. The remaining two-thirds of the radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface, warming it.

4. The warm surface then radiates energy back into the atmosphere in the form of infrared radiation.

5. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor, absorb some of the outgoing infrared radiation and re-radiate it back to the Earth's surface.

6. This process causes the Earth's surface to be warmer than it would be without the presence of greenhouse gases, keeping the planet at a habitable temperature.

However, human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing the Earth's temperature to rise and leading to global warming.

Explanation:

Global warming is the gradual increase in the Earth's average surface temperature, primarily caused by the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. This increase in temperature has serious consequences for the environment, including more frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, floods, and storms.

But global warming is not just an environmental issue; it's also a social and economic issue. It affects our health, our food supply, and our access to clean water. It can lead to displacement of people and cause conflict over resources. And it can have a huge economic impact on industries such as agriculture, tourism, and energy production.

So what can we do about it? The good news is that there are many things we can do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and slow down global warming. We can reduce our energy consumption by turning off lights and unplugging appliances when not in use. We can use public transportation, carpool, or walk and bike instead of driving alone. We can eat a more plant-based diet and reduce food waste. And we can support policies and initiatives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Explanation:

The Taj Mahal is facing a significant threat from acid rain. As the rain falls on the monument's entirely marble structure, it reacts with the material, resulting in the formation of a powder-like substance that is then washed away by the rain. This process, known as marble cancer, poses a severe risk to the monument's preservation. Furthermore, the yellowing of the Taj Mahal's marble is being caused by the emission of soot particles from the Mathura oil refinery, located near Agra.

Explanation:

The increased level of nutrients in the water, a phenomenon known as eutrophication, can have a significant impact on the survival of aquatic organisms. When there are excessive amounts of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in the water, it can lead to the rapid growth of algae and other aquatic plants.

As these plants grow and bloom, they can create a dense layer on the surface of the water, blocking sunlight from reaching deeper parts of the water. This, in turn, can cause a decrease in oxygen levels in the water as the plants and algae die and decompose (decomposition requires a lot of oxygen).

When the oxygen levels in the water decrease, it can create a hypoxic, or low-oxygen, environment that can be harmful or even lethal to aquatic organisms. This is because many aquatic species, including fish and other animals, require a certain level of dissolved oxygen in the water to survive.