Environmental Pollution - Types - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET

Q7. Define environmental pollution. Differentiate between a pollutant and a contaminant.

Q8. Classify pollutants based on their:

(a) Degradability

(b) Origin (natural vs. anthropogenic)

Give one example of each type.

Q9. What is the difference between a primary pollutant and a secondary pollutant? Give one example of each.

Q10. Why are heavy metals like lead and mercury considered particularly dangerous environmental pollutants?

Q11. Your school conducts a cleanliness drive in the local park. The students collect plastic bottles, food wrappers, and fallen leaves. Classify these items as biodegradable or non-biodegradable pollutants and explain why.

Q12. What is eutrophication? How does it relate to water pollution?

Q13. Discuss the various types of environmental pollution in detail:

(a) Air pollution — sources, major pollutants, effects on health and climate

(b) Water pollution — sources, types of water pollutants, effects on aquatic life and human health

(c) Soil pollution — sources, effects on agriculture and groundwater

(d) Noise pollution and thermal pollution — sources and effects

Give specific examples relevant to the Indian context for each type.

Q14. Explain the classification of pollutants based on different criteria:

(a) Based on physical state — gaseous, liquid, solid pollutants

(b) Based on degradability — biodegradable and non-biodegradable

(c) Based on origin — natural and anthropogenic (man-made)

(d) Based on target — air pollutants, water pollutants, soil pollutants

Illustrate each category with examples from everyday Indian life.

Q15. Environmental pollution is one of the biggest challenges facing India today. Discuss:

(a) Why India ranks among the most polluted countries in the world according to WHO reports

(b) The major sources of pollution in Indian cities (vehicles, industries, construction, crop burning)

(c) The economic cost of pollution to India's GDP and public health

(d) Three actionable steps that students like you can take to reduce pollution in your community

Q16. A city generates 1000 tonnes of solid waste daily. The composition is:

Organic waste: 50%

Plastic: 15%

Paper: 10%

Glass and metal: 10%

Other (textiles, electronics, etc.): 15%

(a) Calculate the mass of each category of waste generated per day.

(b) If only 30% of the waste is properly segregated and recycled, calculate the mass of waste going to landfills.

(c) If organic waste is converted to biogas with 60% efficiency, calculate the mass of biogas produced daily. (Assume 1 kg organic waste → 0.2 kg biogas at 100% efficiency)

Q17. The concentration of PM2.5 in a city's air is measured at 180 μg/m³ on a winter day. The WHO guideline is 15 μg/m³ (24-hour average).

(a) Calculate by what factor the measured concentration exceeds the WHO guideline.

(b) If a person breathes 20 m³ of air per day, calculate the total mass of PM2.5 inhaled.

(c) If PM2.5 contains 5% heavy metals by mass, calculate the mass of heavy metals inhaled daily.

Q18. A village with 5000 residents generates domestic sewage at a rate of 150 litres per person per day. The BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) of the raw sewage is 200 mg/L.

(a) Calculate the total volume of sewage generated per day.

(b) Calculate the total BOD load in kg per day.

(c) If a sewage treatment plant removes 85% of BOD, calculate the BOD remaining in the treated effluent and assess whether it meets the Indian standard of <30 mg/L for discharge into rivers.