LESSON 15 POLLUTION

Answer the following questions

Question 1
Define pollution. How is it caused?
Answer
The presence or introduction of a substance in
the environment that is harmful or has
poisonous effects, is called pollution.
Pollution is caused by improper management of
resources or by careless human activities.
They may be caused naturally or by human
activities.

Question 2
State the causes of soil pollution.
Answer
The causes soil pollution are deposition of
solid waste, accumulation of non-biodegradable
material and toxic chemicals etc., which come
from the following sources:

1. Industrial waste — Industrial waste

containing chemicals, when dumped in soil,
cause soil pollution. For example, fly ash
from thermal plants, chemicals from oil
refineries pollute the soil.
2. Urban commercial and domestic waste —
Non-biodegradable wastes like glass,
 plastic, polythene bags remain in the soil
for a long time.
3. Chemical fertilizers — Chemical
fertilizers when used, disturb the natural
balance of the soil. They also contaminate
water bodies through run-off.
4. Biomedical waste — Hospital wastes
containing plastics, metal needles and
chemicals are dumped in soil.
5. Pesticides — Pesticides show permanent
accumulation in soil in the form of
nitrates and phosphates.

Question 3
State the effects of freshwater pollution. How
is it caused?
Answer
The effects of freshwater pollution are:

1. Eutrophication and death of aquatic

animals — Nitrate and phosphate accumulate
in water bodies with run off water. They
may be derived from fertilizers and
detergents. They overstimulate the growth
of aquatic plants and algae, resulting in
eutrophication.
2. Disturbance in aquatic ecosystem —
Leached heavy metal and chemicals may kill
aquatic animals and plants disturbing the
aquatic ecosystem.
3. Oil spill results in a layer of oil
over the water surface, insulating the
water from the atmosphere. This lowers the
 level of dissolved oxygen in water and
ultimately leads to loss of aquatic life.
4. Many industries dump hot water in the
freshwater bodies which raises the
temperature of water and causes adverse
effects on the aquatic creatures.

Freshwater pollution is caused due to:

1. Natural sources — The natural sources

are gases, animal waste, living organisms,
soil, minerals (Nickel, Cobalt, Lead and
Mercury etc.) and other pollutants soluble
in water.
2. Human sources — Urbanization and
industrialization have resulted in
excessive water pollution. The human
sources of water pollution can be
classified as follows:
i. Sewage and Domestic waste
ii. Industrial waste
iii. Agricultural waste
iv. Nuclear waste
v. Oil spills
vi. Thermal pollution

Question 4
How do agricultural wastes harm the
environment?
Answer
Agricultural wastes harm the environment in
the following way:
 1. Agriculture, including commercial
livestock and poultry farming is a source
of many organic and inorganic pollutants in
surface waters. Pesticides from
agricultural run off, metals and processed
chemicals are also major sources of water
pollutants.
2. Excess nitrates and phosphates lead to
Eutrophication in water bodies which leads
to loss of aquatic life and disturbs the
aquatic ecosystem.
3. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides
contain potassium and phosphorus, which are
released in water bodies through run-off
water. This also affects the plant growth
in the soil.
4. Radio-tracers extensively used in
agriculture are also responsible for
radiation pollution.

Question 5
Which gases are emitted through refrigerators
and air-conditioners?
Answer
Chlorofluorocarbons are the gases emitted
through refrigerators and air-conditioners.

Question 6
Differentiate between the natural and man-made
sources of pollution.
Answer

S. Natural sources of Man-made sources of

No. pollution pollution.

The sources of
pollution that Pollutants are released
1.
emit pollutants due to human activities.
naturally.

Example - burning of
Example - volcanic
fossil fuels, automobile
2. eruption, forest
fumes, deforestation
fires
etc.

Not under our Can be avoided with

3.
control. careful planning.

Question 7
What is meant by oil spill?
Answer
The leakage or spill of oil in the sea causes
a layer of oil spreading on the surface of
water. This is known as oil spill. The oil
spread on the sea water acts as an insulating
layer between air and water. Due to this, the
oxygen of the atmosphere cannot mix with water
and causes death of aquatic creatures.
Question 8
How is oil spill caused?
Answer
Oil spill may be caused in the following ways:

1. waste oil from city drains, tankers

2. leakage from oil well
3. accidental oil spill

Question 9
What is meant by radiation?
Answer
The emission of highly charged particles and
electro-magnetic rays from radioactive
substances is called radiation.

Question 10
Explain the following terms :
(a) Smog
(b) Pollutants
(c) CFC
(d) Eutrophication
Answer
(a) Smog — The term 'smog' is derived from
'smoke + fog' as it is formed due to mixing of
smoke and fog. Smog is common in industrial
areas in winters. It reduces visibility and is
unhealthy for humans, animals and plants.
(b) Pollutants — The substances or materials
that cause pollution are called pollutants.
They are harmful for the environment and
living beings. They can be natural such as
volcanic ash or man-made like plastic.
(c) CFC — CFC or Chlorofluorocarbons are the
synthetic chemical compounds which are used as
refrigerant or cooling agent in AC and
refrigerators. When these chemicals are
released in atmosphere, they split due to
ultraviolet rays and damage the ozone layer.
(d) Eutrophication — The process by which the
excess phosphates and nitrates lead to over
growth of algae and other aquatic plants in a
water body, depleting the oxygen of water, is
called Eutrophication.

Question 11
Write a short note on the following:
(a) Radiation
(b) Oil spill
(c) Air pollution
(d) Noise pollution
Answer
(a) Radiation — Radiation pollution is the
emission of highly charged particles and
electromagnetic rays entering the earth's
atmosphere. Sources of radiation may be
natural or man-made. Natural sources consist
of cosmic rays that pollute the life
supporting systems like air, water and soil.
Man-made sources consist of waste water from
nuclear power stations, mining of uranium ore,
waste from hospitals where isotopes are used
for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes etc.
(b) Oil spill — The leakage or spill of oil in
the sea cause a layer of oil spreading on the
water. This is known as oil spill. The oil
spread on the sea water acts as an insulating
layer between air and water. Due to this, the
oxygen of the atmosphere cannot mix with
water. It leads to death of aquatic animals
due to deficiency of dissolved oxygen. The
birds cannot fly as their feathers are oil-
soaked.
(c) Air pollution — The contamination of air
with harmful gases and particles is called air
pollution. Natural sources of air pollution
consist of volcanic eruption, dust storms and
forest fires. Man-made sources consist of
burning of fossil fuels, use of CFCs,
industrial and construction wastes etc. Air
pollution leads to poor air quality which
further result in breathing problems, lung
diseases, smog, damage to buildings and also
disrupts ecological balance.
(d) Noise pollution — Any sound that causes
annoyance is regarded as noise and is
considered as a source of pollution. Sound
level of about 80 decibels causes noise
pollution. The sources of noise pollution are
aeroplanes,trains, loud-speakers, fire
crackers and industries etc. Noise pollution
cause discomfort, deafness, high blood
pressure, palpitation, headache etc.
Question 12
What kind of pollution is produced by brick
kilns?
Answer
Brick Kilns cause air pollution. They use coal
to burn the bricks. They give out huge
quantity of carbon dioxide and particulate
matter such as smoke, dust which is very
harmful. Brick kilns cause air pollution.

Question 13
How is thermal pollution caused?
Answer
The thermal power plants release the recycled
hot water into the rivers and sea causing
water pollution. The hot water raises the
temperature of the water body. It can lead to
a decrease in the dissolved oxygen level in
the water while also increasing the biological
demand of aquatic organisms for oxygen.

Question 14
What are the sources of radioactive pollution?
Answer
The sources of radioactive pollution are:

1. Natural sources — Cosmic rays emit

radioactive radiation.
2. Man-made sources — waste water from
nuclear power plant, waste generated during
nuclear weapon testing, mining and
 processing of uranium ore, waste generated
from hospitals and research laboratories
where radioisotopes are used, X-ray waste,
nuclear accidents, nuclear bomb explosions
and use of radio tracers.

Question 15
How do water bodies get contaminated by the
effluents from industries?
Answer
Water bodies get contaminated by the effluents
from industries in following ways:

1. Waste and sewage generated by industry

can get into the water supply, introducing
large organic pollutants into the
ecosystem.
2. Most of the industries release
chemicals like chlorides, sulphides,
carbonates, nitrates and metal like Zinc,
Mercury, Copper, Chromium, etc. in the
rivers or their water sources.
3. Water can become contaminated with
toxic or radioactive material from the
industry, mine sites and abandoned
hazardous waste sites.
4. Air pollution leads to acid
precipitation which lower the overall pH of
lakes, streams, and ponds; thereby killing
vital plants and affecting the whole food
chain.
5. Leaching of heavy metals from soil into
the water bodies leads to contamination of
water. It may kill aquatic flora and fauna.
Question 16
What is the difference between primary and
secondary pollutants?
Answer

S.
Primary pollutants Secondary pollutants
no.

They are formed due to

They are directly chemical interactions
1. released into the between the atmospheric
air. components and primary
pollutants.

For example- smoke,

dust, ash, sulphur For example- smog, acid
2.
oxide, nitrogen rain.
oxide etc.

It is comparatively
3. It is more harmful.
less harmful.

Question 17
How does urbanization cause air pollution?
Answer
Urbanization has resulted in concentration of
industries around the cities. Big and small
industries, power plants, brick kilns create
air pollution. Also there are numerous
vehicles in the urban areas creating a lot of
air pollution. Urbanization causes air
pollution in following ways:
 1. The burning of fuels in automobiles and
aeroplanes lead to emission of Carbon
Monoxide and Hydrocarbons containing
nitrogen and oxygen.
2. Industries like il refinery discharge
Ammonia, Hydrocarbons and Sulphur oxide.
Aluminium plants release fluoride dust.
3. Burning of garbage lead to emission of
carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide.
4. Brick kilns also release huge quantity
of Carbon dioxide and particulate matters.
5. Use of cleansing agents release
chemicals like Ammonia and chlorine,
causing indoor pollution.
6. Use of radioactive elements or use of
isotopes(medical purpose) lead to emission
of α, β and γ radiations.

Choose the correct option

Question 1
Which of the following reasons is the main
cause of Acid rain?

1. Due to the emission of CO2 in the air

2. Due to the emission of Carbon Monoxide
in the air
3. Due to the emission of Sulphur dioxides
in the air
4. All the above

Answer
Due to the emission of Sulphur dioxides in the
air
Question 2
Which of the following is a secondary
pollutant?

1. Smoke
2. Ozone
3. Sulphur dioxides
4. Dust

Answer
Ozone

Question 3
SPM stands for

1. Suspended Poisonous Matter

2. Soluble Poisonous Material
3. Smoky Particulate Matter
4. Suspended Particulate Matter

Answer
Suspended Particulate Matter

Question 4
Which of the following chemical compounds is
mainly responsible for the formation of ozone
hole?

1. CO2
2. CFC
3. SO2
4. NO
Answer
CFC

Question 5
Study the picture and identify which type of
environmental pollution is mainly caused by
the activity practised here.

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

Answer
Air pollution

Question 6
Study the picture and identify the type of
environmental pollution caused here.
 1. Soil pollution
2. Water pollution
3. Air pollution
4. Radioactive pollution

Answer
Water pollution

Question 7
Thermal pollution is caused by

1. the discharge of fertilizer on the

Water body
2. the discharge of domestic waste in the
water body
3. the discharge of hot water of thermal
power plants in the water body.
4. All the above

Answer
The discharge of hot water of thermal power
plants in the water body

Question 8
Which of the following is not a man-made
source of radioactive pollutant?

1. Wastes from the nuclear power stations

2. Mining & processing of Uranium Ore
3. Cosmic rays
4. X-ray wastes

Answer
Cosmic rays

Question 9
Study the picture and identify the type of
environmental pollution caused here.
 1. Soil pollution
2. Noise pollution
3. Air pollution
4. Radioactive pollution

Answer
Noise pollution

Question 10
Which of the following is not a man-made
source of air pollution?

1. Automobile pollution
2. Forest fires
3. Industrial pollution
4. Brick Kilns
Answer
Forest fires
Give reasons for the following

Question 1
Noise pollution is prevalent in towns and
cities.
Answer
Noise pollution is prevalent in towns and
cities due to a large number of vehicles on
the roads, numerous construction projects like
building of flyovers, metro and high rises,
aeroplanes, trains, loud-speakers, high-
pitched music, fire crackers, etc. Moreover,
often no noise barriers or sound-absorbing
materials are installed in public spaces and
noise limits are not enforced.

Question 2
Acid rainfall is a result of the burning of
fossil fuel.
Answer
Acid rainfall is a result of the burning of
fossil fuels because the combustion of these
fuels releases pollutants such as sulphur
dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) into
the atmosphere. These pollutants can react
with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the
atmosphere to form acidic compounds, such as
sulphur acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3).
These acidic compounds then mix with
precipitation, such as rain or snow, and fall
to the ground as acid rainfall.