Chapter -13

Pollution of Air and Water

Textual Questions:
1. Name the various constituents of air?
Answer: The various constituents of air include nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon,
methane, ozone, and water vapor.
2. Define Air pollution?
Answer: Air pollution refers to the presence of harmful substances or pollutants in the air,
which can pose risks to human health, animals, plants, and the environment.
3. What are pollutants and name them?
Answer: Pollutants are harmful substances that contaminate the environment. Some
common pollutants include carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide
(NO₂), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).
4. Name the various sources of air pollutants?
Answer: The various sources of air pollutants include vehicular emissions, industrial
activities, burning of fossil fuels, agricultural activities, and waste disposal.
5. Define smog and what are its ill- effects?
Answer: Smog is a combination of smoke and fog, primarily caused by air pollution. It
contains pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen, which can lead to respiratory problems such
as asthma, coughing, and wheezing in humans, particularly in children.
6. Name the alternative fuels which we can use instead of fossils fuels?
Answer: Alternative fuels that can be used instead of fossil fuels include compressed
natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), solar energy, hydropower, and wind
energy.

7. What is Portable Water and how is Water Purified?

Answer: Potable water is water that is suitable for drinking. It is purified using various
methods such as filtration, boiling, chlorination, and other chemical treatments to remove
contaminants and pathogens.

8. What will happen if we drink polluted water?

Answer: Drinking polluted water can lead to various water-borne diseases such as cholera,
typhoid, jaundice, gastrointestinal infections, and other health problems. It can also cause
long-term health effects due to exposure to toxic chemicals and heavy metals present in the
water.
 Exercises Questions:
1. What are the different ways in which water gets contaminated?
Answer: Water can get contaminated through sewage discharge, industrial waste,
agricultural runoff, chemical spills, improper waste disposal, and natural sources such as
soil erosion and algae blooms.
2. At an individual level, how can you help reduce air pollution?
Answer: At an individual level, I can help reduce air pollution by using public
transportation, carpooling, biking, walking instead of driving, conserving energy, reducing
waste, planting trees, and supporting policies and initiatives aimed at reducing emissions.
3. Clear, transparent water is always fit for drinking. Comment.
Answer: Clear, transparent water is not always fit for drinking as it may still contain
harmful pollutants and pathogens that are not visible to the naked eye. Water must
undergo purification processes to ensure it is safe for consumption.
4. You are a member of the municipal body of your town. Make a list of measures that would
help your town to ensure the supply of clean water to all residents.
Answer: Some measures to ensure the supply of clean water to all residents include
implementing strict regulations on industrial and agricultural waste disposal, upgrading
water treatment facilities, regular testing of water quality, promoting water conservation
practices, and educating the community about the importance of clean water.
5. Explain the differences between pure air and polluted air?
Answer: Pure air contains a balanced composition of gases necessary for life, such as
oxygen and nitrogen, with minimal levels of pollutants. Polluted air, on the other hand,
contains higher concentrations of harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can have adverse effects on health
and the environment.
6. Explain circumstances leading to acid rain. How does acid rain affect us?
Answer: Acid rain is formed when pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen
oxides (NOₓ) from sources like industrial emissions and vehicular exhausts react with water
vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Acid rain can lead to
environmental damage, including the acidification of soil and water bodies, harming
aquatic life, damaging vegetation, and corroding buildings and monuments.
7. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas? (a) Carbon dioxide (b) Sulphur dioxide (c)
Methane (d) Nitrogen
Answer: (b) Nitrogen
8. Describe the 'Green House Effect' in your own words?
Answer: The greenhouse effect is a natural process where certain gases in the Earth's
atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide and methane, trap heat from the sun, preventing it
from escaping back into space. This trapped heat warms the Earth's surface and helps
maintain a stable temperature suitable for life. However, human activities, such as burning
 fossil fuels, have intensified the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate
change.
9. Prepare a brief speech on global warming that you have to make in your class.
Answer: (Sample Speech) Global warming is one of the most pressing environmental
challenges of our time. It refers to the gradual increase in Earth's average temperature due
to human activities, primarily the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and
methane. This warming trend has far-reaching consequences, including rising sea levels,
extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture.
As responsible citizens of this planet, it is crucial for us to take urgent action to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, conserve natural
resources, and advocate for policies that mitigate climate change.
10. Describe the threat to the beauty of the Taj Mahal?
Answer: The beauty of the Taj Mahal is threatened by air pollution, particularly from
industrial emissions and vehicular exhausts in the surrounding area. Pollutants such as
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form
acids, leading to the discoloration and degradation of the white marble of the monument.
This phenomenon, known as "marble cancer," poses a significant threat to the
architectural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the Taj Mahal.
11. Why does the increased level of nutrients in the water affect the survival of aquatic
organisms?
Answer: The increased level of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in water bodies
can lead to eutrophication, a process where excessive algae growth occurs. When these
algae die and decompose, they consume oxygen from the water, leading to oxygen depletion
and creating dead zones where aquatic organisms cannot survive. Additionally, algal
blooms can release toxins harmful to aquatic life, further impacting their survival.