Environmental Issues: Wastewater Management

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Questions and Answers

What is the price per kg that rag pickers were initially receiving for plastic waste?

Rs. 0.60

Rs. 0.20

Rs. 1.00

Rs. 0.40 (correct)

What is Polyblend primarily used for in Bangalore?

Generating energy

Laying roads (correct)

Making plastics

Producing fertilizers

What is one potential consequence of using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers?

Decreased crop yields

Biomagnification in ecosystems (correct)

Enhanced biodiversity

Improved soil health

What technique does Ramesh Chandra Dagar employ in his farming practices?

Integrated organic farming Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of Dagar's farming technique?

Chemical fertilizers Signup and view all the answers

How many farmers are currently members of the Haryana Kisan Welfare Club?

5,000 Signup and view all the answers

What problem is associated with the use of inorganic fertilizers in agriculture?

Eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

What role does cattle excreta play in Dagar's farming system?

As manure for crops Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the serious inherent problems associated with nuclear energy?

Accidental leakage Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended depth for burying nuclear waste according to safety guidelines?

500 m Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary health risk associated with exposure to nuclear radiation?

Cancer Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the greenhouse effect have on Earth's average temperature?

Increased temperature by about 33°C Signup and view all the answers

How much of the incoming solar radiation is reflected back by clouds and gases?

One-fourth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the greenhouse effect?

It prevents heat from escaping back into space. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major concern regarding the disposal of radioactive waste?

Safe disposal methods are not agreed upon. Signup and view all the answers

What temperature would the Earth's average surface be without the greenhouse effect?

-18°C Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of forest cover did India have at the beginning of the twentieth century?

30 per cent Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a major reason for deforestation?

Conversion of forest to agricultural land Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate percentage of forests lost in the tropics?

40 per cent Signup and view all the answers

What is considered most difficult to remove from wastewater?

Dissolved salts and toxic metal ions Signup and view all the answers

What method is commonly referred to as slash and burn agriculture?

Cutting down trees and burning plant remains for agriculture Signup and view all the answers

How is the amount of biodegradable organic matter in sewage typically estimated?

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary ecological consequences of deforestation?

Enhanced carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

As of the end of the twentieth century, what was the forest cover percentage in India?

21.54 per cent Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the discharge of sewage into a river have on dissolved oxygen levels?

Decreases due to micro-organisms consuming oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is one method farmers used in Jhum cultivation?

Leaving land for recovery after cultivation Signup and view all the answers

What is an algal bloom?

Excessive growth of planktonic algae caused by high nutrient levels Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of an algal bloom in freshwater bodies?

Deterioration of water quality and fish mortality Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of forest cover has the National Forest Policy of India suggested for plains?

33 per cent Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the introduction of certain floating plants in India?

They can block waterways due to their rapid growth Signup and view all the answers

What happens downstream from the point of sewage discharge in a river?

Sharp decline in dissolved oxygen levels Signup and view all the answers

What can large amounts of nutrients in water lead to?

Harmful algal blooms Signup and view all the answers

What contributes primarily to air pollution?

Burning of fossil fuels Signup and view all the answers

Which substances in domestic sewage lead to eutrophication?

Nitrogen and phosphorus Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of industrial waste waters?

They can contain toxic chemicals. Signup and view all the answers

What major environmental issue is caused by increased emission of carbon dioxide?

Enhanced greenhouse effect Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of soil pollution?

Agricultural chemicals Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of municipal solid waste disposal in landfills?

Contamination of groundwater Signup and view all the answers

Which gases are primarily responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk of ozone layer depletion?

Higher rates of skin cancer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Waste Water and Environmental Impact

Solids in wastewater are relatively easy to remove; however, dissolved salts like nitrates and phosphates, toxic metal ions, and organic compounds are more challenging.
Domestic sewage contains biodegradable organic matter that decomposes rapidly through bacterial activity.
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) measures the amount of biodegradable organic matter; high BOD indicates a high level of organic waste and consequently low dissolved oxygen.
Following sewage discharge, dissolved oxygen decreases significantly downstream, leading to fish mortality and harm to aquatic life.
Excessive nutrients in water can cause algal blooms, resulting in poor water quality and further fish mortality; some algae can be toxic to humans and animals.
Certain floating plants previously introduced for ornamental purposes have proliferated, obstructing waterways and complicating waste management.

Agro-Chemicals Usage and Organic Farming

The green revolution spurred increased use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides which are harmful to non-target soil organisms.
Chemical fertilizers can lead to eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems, showing the detrimental effects of agricultural chemicals.
Integrated organic farming promotes a cyclical process where waste from one system becomes a resource for another, enhancing sustainability.
Ramesh Chandra Dagar in Haryana practices this approach, utilizing bee-keeping, dairy, and composting to create a zero-waste system, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers.

Radioactive Waste and Energy

Nuclear energy poses significant risks including accidental leaks and the challenges of safely disposing of radioactive waste.
Nuclear waste emits high levels of radiation, which may cause mutations and increase cancer risks.
Proper disposal methods advocate for burying treated nuclear waste in shielded containers deep underground, though public opposition persists.

Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon essential for maintaining Earth’s temperature; without it, average temperatures would be significantly lower.
Solar radiation is partly reflected and absorbed by the atmosphere, with a portion heating the Earth’s surface.
Increased greenhouse gases, primarily from human activities, enhance the greenhouse effect, leading to climate change and associated environmental challenges.

Deforestation and Its Consequences

Deforestation involves converting forested areas to non-forested land, with an estimated 40% loss in tropical forests compared to only 1% in temperate regions.
In India, forest cover dropped from 30% to 21.54% in the last century, conflicting with the National Forest Policy's recommendations for maintaining forest cover.
Human activities driving deforestation include agricultural expansion, timber harvesting, and slash-and-burn practices.
Deforestation increases atmospheric CO2 levels, impacting climate and mitigating carbon sequestration benefits of forests.

Summary of Environmental Issues

Pollution from air, water (domestic sewage, industrial waste), soil (agricultural chemicals), and solid waste presents diverse environmental challenges.
Eutrophication from sewage nutrients leads to decreased dissolved oxygen in water bodies.
Industrial wastewater contains toxic chemicals that endanger ecosystems, and solid waste management poses significant disposal problems.
Global issues like greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and ozone depletion threaten environmental stability and health on multiple levels.

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Description

This quiz explores the challenges of wastewater management, focusing on the removal of dissolved salts, nitrates, phosphates, and toxic substances in domestic sewage. Understand the impact of sewage discharge on river characteristics and the complexities involved in treating wastewater.