Environmental Science Chapter 13

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Questions and Answers

What measures do local bodies take to manage biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste separately?

Local bodies implement waste segregation at source, provide separate bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, and often conduct awareness campaigns to educate residents.

How can you calculate the total amount of waste generated at home in a day?

Total waste can be calculated by weighing all collected waste after a day, ideally separating it into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories.

Discuss the impact of increasing disposable products on the environment.

The rise of disposable products leads to increased landfill waste, higher pollution levels due to non-biodegradable materials, and greater resource depletion through constant production.

What environmental issues arise from improper sewage treatment in localities?

Improper sewage treatment can lead to water pollution, harm aquatic ecosystems, and pose health risks to the community due to the spread of waterborne diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What advantages do disposable paper cups have over plastic cups in terms of environmental impact?

Disposable paper cups are generally biodegradable, reducing landfill waste, and they often have a lower carbon footprint in production compared to plastic cups, which contribute to long-lasting pollution. Signup and view all the answers

What defines an ecosystem and what are its two main components?

An ecosystem is defined as a community of interacting organisms and their physical surroundings. The two main components are biotic (living organisms) and abiotic (non-living physical factors). Signup and view all the answers

How do abiotic factors influence the growth and reproduction of organisms in an ecosystem?

Abiotic factors such as temperature, rainfall, and soil greatly influence the availability of resources essential for growth and reproduction of organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between natural and human-made ecosystems.

Natural ecosystems occur without human intervention, such as forests and ponds, while human-made ecosystems, like gardens and aquariums, are artificially created and managed by humans. Signup and view all the answers

What role do aquatic plants play in the sustainability of an aquarium ecosystem?

Aquatic plants provide oxygen, enhance water quality, and serve as a food source, contributing to the self-sustainability of the aquarium ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

List some abiotic components that are crucial in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Crucial abiotic components include temperature, rainfall, soil quality, wind, and minerals. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways do human activities impact ecosystems, as suggested in the content?

Human activities can disrupt ecosystems through pollution, habitat destruction, and the introduction of invasive species, leading to imbalances. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to maintain a balance in an ecosystem?

Maintaining balance in an ecosystem is crucial for the health and survival of all organisms, ensuring sustainable interactions among biotic and abiotic components. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the energy captured by autotrophs as it moves through the food chain?

The energy does not revert back to the solar input, and it diminishes progressively at each trophic level. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how harmful chemicals can enter the food chain.

Harmful chemicals, like pesticides, are washed into soils or water bodies, where they are absorbed by plants and aquatic organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the term biological magnification in relation to pesticides.

Biological magnification refers to the progressive accumulation of harmful chemicals at each trophic level, culminating in higher concentrations in top-level predators, such as humans. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of diminishing energy at each trophic level?

A significant consequence is that less energy is available for each subsequent trophic level, affecting population dynamics and ecosystem stability. Signup and view all the answers

Which synthetic chemicals have been linked to the depletion of the ozone layer?

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the agreement facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1987?

The agreement froze CFC production at 1986 levels. Signup and view all the answers

Why are pesticide residues often found in human food sources?

Pesticide residues are found in foods because they accumulate in plants and animals throughout the food chain, eventually reaching humans at the top level. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the significance of a food web compared to a simple food chain.

A food web represents a complex network of interactions among various organisms, whereas a simple food chain illustrates a linear transfer of energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is now mandatory for manufacturing companies regarding CFCs?

They must produce CFC-free refrigerators. Signup and view all the answers

What types of waste materials are commonly generated in daily activities?

Kitchen waste, paper, medicine containers, and old clothes. Signup and view all the answers

How do non-degradable chemicals affect ecosystems over time?

Non-degradable chemicals accumulate at each trophic level, leading to increased toxicity and potentially harming the entire ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the energy captured by autotrophs crucial for the survival of herbivores?

The energy captured by autotrophs serves as the primary energy source for herbivores, supporting their growth and survival. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of burying waste materials in a pit or container during the activity?

To observe the decomposition process of different waste types over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which agency succeeded in formulating the agreement to limit CFC production?

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Signup and view all the answers

What role do pesticides play in crop protection and what are their environmental implications?

Pesticides protect crops from diseases and pests, but their environmental implications include soil and water pollution and bioaccumulation in food chains. Signup and view all the answers

What factors determine the rate at which waste materials change their form and structure?

Material composition and environmental conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Why can't we get energy from eating coal, despite it being a carbon-based material?

Enzymes needed to break down coal are not present in the human body. Signup and view all the answers

What should students observe at 15-day intervals in the waste management activity?

Changes in the state and decomposition of the buried materials. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main reasons for the regulations on CFC emissions?

To reduce the damage to the ozone layer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances?

Biodegradable substances can be broken down by biological processes, while non-biodegradable substances cannot be easily decomposed. Signup and view all the answers

Name two physical processes that can act on non-biodegradable materials.

Heat and pressure are two physical processes that can act on non-biodegradable materials. Signup and view all the answers

How long are non-biodegradable substances like plastics expected to last in the environment?

Non-biodegradable substances can last hundreds to thousands of years in the environment. Signup and view all the answers

Give two environmental impacts of biodegradable substances.

Biodegradable substances can enrich the soil and enhance nutrient cycling in the ecosystem. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential harms caused by non-biodegradable substances in the ecosystem?

Non-biodegradable substances can lead to habitat destruction and pollution that harms wildlife. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how certain new types of plastics are marketed as biodegradable.

New types of plastics are marketed as biodegradable by claiming they can decompose under specific environmental conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Identify two common examples of non-biodegradable materials.

Common examples include plastic bags and Styrofoam containers. Signup and view all the answers

How does the presence of non-biodegradable waste impact urban areas?

The presence of non-biodegradable waste leads to littering, visual pollution, and health hazards in urban areas. Signup and view all the answers

What factors influence the biodegradability of a substance?

Factors include the chemical composition of the substance and environmental conditions like temperature and moisture. Signup and view all the answers

Suggest a method for managing non-biodegradable waste in towns.

Implementing effective recycling programs can help manage non-biodegradable waste in towns. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 13: Our Environment

This chapter explores how components in the environment interact and how human activities impact it.
An ecosystem encompasses all interacting organisms within an area, along with the non-living environment factors like temperature, rainfall, soil, and minerals.
Examples of ecosystems include gardens, forests, ponds, and lakes. Human-made ecosystems include gardens and croplands.
Ecosystems comprise biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
- Biotic components are plants, animals, and microorganisms.
- Abiotic components include physical factors like temperature, rainfall, and soil.
Organisms are categorized as producers, consumers, or decomposers based on how they obtain sustenance.
- Producers, like green plants, create organic compounds (sugars, starch) using sunlight through photosynthesis.
- Consumers consume producers directly or indirectly (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, parasites).
- Decomposers (bacteria, fungi) break down dead organisms/waste, returning nutrients to the soil.
Food chains represent a sequence of organisms where each consumes the one below.
- Trophic levels are the steps in a food chain, starting with producers (first trophic level) and progressing to successive consumers (second, third, etc.).
- Food webs are interconnected food chains, showcasing complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem.
Energy flows unidirectionally through trophic levels, with a substantial loss at each level.
- Typically around 10% of energy is transferred to the next level.
Human activities can disrupt ecosystems and impact the environment.
Examples of environmental problems include pollution (including the depletion of the ozone layer) and waste disposal.
- Ozone depletion is a concern due to chemicals like CFCs. Ozone shields Earth from harmful UV radiation.
- Waste disposal presents challenges, with biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances requiring differing approaches.
Methods like composting, reducing consumption of non-degradable items and properly disposing waste can help reduce the effects of human activities on the environment.

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Description

This chapter delves into the intricate interactions between ecosystem components and the effects of human activity on the environment. Learn about biotic and abiotic factors, and discover the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers within different ecosystems. From forests to gardens, understand how these systems function and sustain life.