Question 1
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rohangiduthuriGEOGRAPHY
LS-16 POLLUTION
Question 1
What is environmental pollution? What is a pollutant?
Answer
Environmental pollution refers to any unfavourable alteration of our surroundings, wholly or largely as a
byproduct of man's actions. These changes may affect man and other organisms.
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.
Question 2
Give the difference between natural and man-made pollutants.
Natural pollutants Man-made pollutants
The natural pollutants are produced as a result of Man-made pollutants are produced as a result of
natural phenomena. human activities.
Example: Example:
Volcanic eruptions and wild fires. Industrial pollution and vehicular emissions.
Answer
Question 3
What is air pollution? Give a source of air pollution.
Answer
Air pollution is the excessive concentration of foreign matter in the air which adversely affects the well
being of human beings, animals, plants and their environment.
Fumes released by automobiles like cars, scooters etc are one of the causes of air pollution.
Question 4
Define water pollution.
Answer
Water pollution can be defined as alteration in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of water,
making it unsuitable for designated use in its natural state.
Question 5
What is soil pollution? Why should we avoid soil pollution?
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-
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GEOGRAPHY
LS-16 POLLUTION
1. The pollutants enter the food chain at the plant level and get magnified as we move up the food
chain.
2. The pollutants remain in the soil for relatively longer periods.
Question 6
What is noise pollution?
Answer
Noise pollution is defined as an unwanted sound that is an irritant and a source of stress.
Question 7
What is radioactive pollution?
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 1(a)
With reference to pollution, explain the following:
(i) Air pollution
(ii) Water pollution
Answer
(i) Air pollution is the excessive concentration of foreign matter in the air which adversely affects the
well being of human beings, animals, plants and their environment.
(ii) Water pollution can be defined as alteration in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of
water, making it unsuitable for designated use in its natural state.
Question 1(b)
Explain what is radioactive pollution.
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 1(c)
What are man-made causes of radioactive pollution? Why is radioactive pollution more harmful than
other types of pollution?
Answer
There are mainly two man-made causes of radioactive pollution:
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GEOGRAPHY
LS-16 POLLUTION
1. Nuclear fuels used in atomic reactor — There are two types of waste formed in a Nuclear
Reactor which cause pollution:
i. The fission products remaining in both the primary and secondary fuels.
ii. Waste products in the coolant
2. Nuclear Weapons — Development and testing of Nuclear weapons creates risk of leakage of
radioactive radiations in the environment. The atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
caused huge destruction and had an enormous impact on the environment till decades later.
Radioactive pollution is more harmful than other types of pollution because the high level products of
nuclear wastes remain in the environment for several hundred years. Leakage in nuclear reactors causes
environmental pollution and the leakage may result in the death of a number of people.
Question 1(d)
How is noise a source of pollution? Why do we need to look at the problem of noise pollution seriously?
Answer
Noise is a physical form of pollution which is not directly harmful to the life supporting systems. It is not
fatal to human life, yet its effects cannot be overlooked because repeated exposure to noise 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.
