Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

CHAPTER 16. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

NOTES

Pollution is any undesirable change in physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air, land, water or
soil. Human population explosion increases the demand for food, water, home, electricity, automobiles etc. It leads
to pollution.
The Government of India has passed the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to control environmental pollution
and protect and improve the quality of our environment.

AIR POLLUTION AND ITS CONTROL

Causes of air pollution:

• Particulate & gaseous air pollutants from smokestacks of thermal power plants, smelters etc.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), particulate size of less than 2.5mm in diameter (PM 2.5)
causes greatest harm to human health.
• Pollutants from automobiles.
Harmful effects of air pollution:
• Particulates cause respiratory problems, irritation, inflammations & damage to lungs and premature deaths.
• Reduction in growth and yield of crops and premature death of plants.
Control of air pollution:
• Separate/filter out particulate matters before releasing the harmless gases into the atmosphere.
• Use of lead-free petrol or diesel.
• Use of catalytic converters.
• Phasing out of old vehicles.
• Use of low-sulphur petrol and diesel.
• Application of pollution-level norms for vehicles, etc.
• Use of compressed natural gas (CNG). It is used in Delhi, in public transport (buses).
Advantages of CNG:
➢ It is better and cheaper than petrol & diesel. It burns almost completely.
➢ It cannot be siphoned off by thieves and adulterated.
Main problem of CNG:
➢ Difficulty of laying down pipelines to deliver CNG through distribution points/pumps.
Catalytic converter:
It is the device to reduce emission of poisonous gases. It has platinum-palladium & rhodium as catalysts. This
converts (i) Unburnt hydrocarbons → CO2 + water ( ii) Carbon monoxide → CO2
(iii) Nitric oxide → Nitrogen
Motor vehicles having catalytic converter should use unleaded petrol because lead in petrol inactivates the catalyst.
Electrostatic precipitator
It is the device to remove particulate matter. It can remove over 99% particulate matter present in the exhaust from
a thermal power plant. The electrons released from electrode wires (at several thousand volts) attach to dust
particles giving a negative charge. The collecting plates attract charged dust particles. The velocity of air between
the plates must be low enough to allow the dust to fall.
Scrubber
A scrubber removes gases like SO2. In this, the exhaust is passed through a spray of water or lime.
Very small particulates are not removed by this precipitator.

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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

NOISE POLLUTION
Noise is undesired high level of sound. In India, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act (1981) was
amended in 1987 to include noise as an air pollutant.
Sources of noise pollution:
Music instruments, loudspeaker, crackers, industries etc.
Harmful effects of noise:
➢ Noise causes psychological and physiological disorders.
➢ The sound level above 150 dB (generated by takeoff of a jet plane or rocket) may damage ear drums.
➢ Chronic exposure to relatively lower noise may damage hearing abilities of humans.
➢ Sleeplessness, increased heartbeat & breathing, stress etc.
➢ Control of noise pollution:
➢ Use of sound absorbent materials in industries.
➢ Delimitation of horn-free zones around hospitals & schools.
➢ Permissible sound-levels of crackers and loudspeakers.
➢ Delimit the timings of using loudspeakers.
Laws & policies in India to control vehicular pollution
• Auto fuel policy: To cut down vehicular pollution in Indian cities.
• Euro III norms:
Control sulphur content at 350 ppm (parts per million) in diesel and 150 ppm in petrol.
Level of aromatic hydrocarbons is to be at 42% of the fuel. In future: Reduce sulphur to 50 ppm in petrol & diesel
and bring down the level to 35%. Upgrade vehicle engines.

WATER POLLUTION AND ITS CONTROL

Domestic Sewage and Industrial Effluents

0.1 % impurities make domestic sewage unfit for human use. They include
➢ Suspended solids: Sand, silt, clay etc.
➢ Colloidal materials: Faecal matter, bacteria, cloth, paper fibres etc.
➢ Dissolved materials: Nutrients like nitrate, NH3, phosphate, Na, Ca etc.
Removal of dissolved materials, organic compounds and toxic metal ions are most difficult.
Domestic sewage contains biodegradable organic matter. It is decomposed by microorganisms.
The amount of biodegradable organic matter in sewage water is estimated by measuring Biochemical Oxygen
Demand (BOD).
During biodegradation, microbes consume O2. It results in a sharp decline in dissolved O2. This causes death of
aquatic organisms.

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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

Effect of sewage discharge on some important characteristics of a river

Algal Bloom
Presence of more nutrients in water causes excess growth of planktonic algae (algal bloom). It imparts a distinct
colour to the water bodies and deteriorates the water quality resulting in death of fishes. Some bloom-forming
algae are extremely toxic to human beings and animals.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is the most problematic aquatic weed (‘Terror of Bengal’). They grow
abundantly in eutrophic water bodies.
Sewage from homes & hospitals contain pathogens that cause dysentery, typhoid, jaundice, cholera, etc.
Industrial waste water contains toxic substances like DDT, heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, copper, lead, etc.)
and organic compounds.
Biological magnification (Biomagnification)
It is the accumulation of the toxicant (mercury, DDT etc.) at successive trophic levels of a food chain. Organisms
cannot metabolize or excrete the toxicant. So, it is passed on to the next trophic level.
Biomagnification of DDT in an aquatic food chain:
Water (DDT: 0.003 ppb) → zooplankton (0.04 ppm) → small fish (0.5 ppm) → large fish (2 ppm) → birds
(25 ppm).
DDT disturbs calcium metabolism in birds, which causes thinning of eggshell and their premature breaking. It
causes decline in bird populations.
Eutrophication
It is the natural aging of a lake by nutrient enrichment.
In a young lake, water is cold and clear supporting little life. With time, streams draining into the lake introduce
nutrients (N2, P etc.). It increases lake’s fertility.
Thus plants & animals grow rapidly, and organic remains are deposited on the lake bottom. So, the lake grows
shallower and warmer, with warm-water organisms.
Marsh plants take root in the shallows and fill in the original lake basin. Eventually, the lake becomes land.
Depending on climate, size of the lake and other factors, the eutrophication may span thousands of years. However,
pollutants like effluents from industries and homes accelerate eutrophication. This phenomenon is called Cultural
or Accelerated Eutrophication.
The prime contaminants are nitrates & phosphates. They overstimulate the growth of algae. It causes unsightly
scum and unpleasant odors, and robs the water of dissolved oxygen. It leads to death of other organisms.
Heated (thermal) wastewater from electricity-generating units (e.g. thermal power plants) eliminates organisms
sensitive to high temperature. It may enhance the growth of plants and fish in extremely cold areas but, only after
causing damage to the indigenous flora and fauna.
Integrated Waste Water Treatment
It includes artificial and natural processes.

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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

The townspeople of Arcata (northern coast of California) and biologists from the Humboldt State University
created an integrated waste water treatment process. The cleaning occurs in 2 stages:
➢ Sedimentation, filtering & chlorine treatments. After this, remaining pollutants like dissolved heavy
metals were removed using an innovative approach.
➢ Biologists developed a series of six connected marshes over 60 hectares of marshland. Appropriate plants,
algae, fungi & bacteria were seeded into this area. They neutralize, absorb & assimilate pollutants. Thus,
as the water flows through marshes, it gets purified naturally.
Friends of the Arcata Marsh (FOAM) is a citizens group for the upkeep and safeguarding of this project.
Ecological sanitation
It is a sustainable system for handling human excreta, using dry composting toilets.
This is a practical, hygienic, efficient and cost-effective solution to human waste disposal.
Human excreta can be recycled into a resource (as natural fertilizer). It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
There are ‘EcoSan’ toilets in Kerala & Sri Lanka.
Government of India has passed the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to safeguard water
resources.

WASTES AND THEIR EFFECTS

SOLID WASTES
Solid wastes refer to everything that goes out in trash.
Municipal solid wastes are wastes from homes, offices, stores, schools, hospitals, etc. that are collected and
disposed by the municipality.
All solid wastes cannot be completely burnt. Open dumps serve as the breeding ground for rats and flies.
Sanitary landfills are the substitute for open-burning dumps. In sanitary landfill, wastes are dumped in a
depression or trench and covered with dirt.
Limitations of Landfills:
➢ Amount of garbage especially in metros has increased so much that these sites are getting filled too.
➢ Seepage of chemicals, from the landfills pollutes the underground water resources.
Solid wastes are 3 types:
➢ Bio-degradable: They undergo natural breakdown.
➢ Non-biodegradable: E.g. plastic packets, polybags, polystyrene etc. Eco-friendly packaging can be used
instead of plastics. E.g. Carrying cloth, natural fibre carry-bags etc.
➢ Recyclable: E.g. Plastics, e-wastes etc.
Hospital wastes contain disinfectants, harmful chemicals, and pathogenic micro-organisms. They are incinerated.
E-wastes (electronic wastes):
All irreparable electronic goods are known as e-wastes.
They are buried in landfills or incinerated.
Recycling is the only eco-friendly solution for the treatment of e-wastes. But during recycling, the workers are
exposed to toxic substances present in e-wastes.
Over half of the e-wastes in developed world are exported to developing countries (China, India, Pakistan etc.),
where many metals (Cu, Fe, Si, Ni & Au) are recovered during recycling process.
Polyblend: A Remedy for Plastic Waste
Ahmed Khan (A plastic sack manufacturer in Bangalore) developed Polyblend.
It is a fine powder of recycled modified plastic.
Polyblend is mixed with the bitumen and is used to lay roads.
Blend of Polyblend and bitumen enhances the bitumen’s water repellant properties and helps to increase road life.

AGRO-CHEMICALS AND THEIR EFFECTS

Inorganic fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc. are toxic to non-target organisms that are important
components of the soil ecosystem. These are biomagnified in the terrestrial ecosystems.
Chemical fertilisers cause eutrophication.
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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

Integrated Organic Farming

It is a cyclical, zero-waste procedure, where waste products from one process are cycled in as nutrients for other
processes.
This allows the maximum utilization of resource and increases the efficiency of production.
Ramesh Chandra Dagar (a farmer in Sonipat, Haryana) included bee-keeping, dairy management, water
harvesting, composting & agriculture in Integrated Organic Farming. Its advantages are given below:
➢ They support each other and allow an economical and sustainable venture.
➢ No need of chemical fertilizers, as dung is used as manure.
➢ Crop waste is used to create compost (natural fertilizer) or to generate natural gas (provides energy for the
farm).
Dagar has created the Haryana Kisan Welfare Club, with a membership of 5000 farmers to spread information
on the practice of integrated organic farming.

RADIOACTIVE WASTES

Use of nuclear energy has two very serious problems:

• Accidental leakage. E.g. Three Mile Island incident & Chernobyl incident.
• Safe disposal of radioactive wastes.
Nuclear radiation causes mutations. It is lethal at high doses. At lower doses, it causes disorders such as cancer.
It is recommended to store nuclear wastes in shielded containers buried within rocks, about 500 m deep below the
earth’s surface. But, the public opposes this method.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT & GLOBAL WARMING

Greenhouse is a small glass house used for growing plants during winter. The glass panel lets the light in, but does
not allow heat to escape. Thus the greenhouse warms up.
Greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon that causes heating of Earth’s surface and atmosphere. It maintains
the present average temperature (15° C).
Without greenhouse effect, the average temperature at Earth surface would have been at –18° C.
Clouds & gases reflect 1/4th of the incoming solar radiation and absorb some of it. But half of it falls on Earth’s
surface heating it, while a small amount is reflected back. Earth’s surface re-emits heat as infrared radiation (long
wave). But a part of it is absorbed by atmospheric gases (CO2, CH4 etc.) and so cannot escape into space. These
gases (greenhouse gases) radiate heat energy. It comes to Earth’s surface, heating it up again. It causes the
greenhouse effect.
Overheating of Earth due to increased level of greenhouse Gases, is called global warming.
During the past century, the temperature of Earth has increased by 0.6° C, most of it during the last 3 decades.
Contribution of greenhouse gases to total global warming: CO2 (60%), CH4 (20%), CFCs (14%) & N2O (6%).

Impacts of global warming:

➢ Climatic changes (e.g. El Nino effect).
➢ Melting of polar ice caps, Himalayan snow caps etc.

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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

➢ Future impact: Rise in sea level submerging coastal areas.

Control of global warming:
➢ Reduce the use of fossil fuel.
➢ Improve efficiency of energy usage.
➢ Reduce deforestation and plant trees.
➢ Slowing down the growth of human population.
➢ International initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases.

OZONE DEPLETION IN THE STRATOSPHERE

‘Bad’ ozone is formed in troposphere (lower atmosphere). It harms plants and animals.
‘Good’ ozone is found in the stratosphere. It acts as a shield absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
UV rays are highly injurious since they cause mutation.
The thickness of the ozone (O3) in a column of air from the ground to the top of the atmosphere is measured in
terms of Dobson units (DU).
In stratosphere, UV rays act on molecular oxygen (O2) to produce ozone. UV rays also cause the degradation of
ozone to O2 . These processes are balanced.
But this balance is disrupted due to ozone degradation by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs- used as refrigerant). CFCs
move upward and reach stratosphere. UV rays act on them releasing Cl atoms. In presence of Cl (catalyst), ozone
degrades to O2. This causes ozone depletion. It has formed Ozone hole over the Antarctic region.
UV radiation of wavelengths shorter than UV-B, are almost completely absorbed by Earth’s atmosphere. But, UV-
B causes DNA mutation. It causes aging of skin, damage to skin cells and skin cancers. A high dose of UV-B
causes inflammation of cornea (snow-blindness), cataract etc. It permanently damages the cornea.
The Montreal Protocol: An international treaty (Canada, 1987) to control emission of ozone depleting substances.

DEGRADATION BY IMPROPER RESOURCE UTILISATION & MAINTENANCE

Soil erosion and desertification:

Human activities like over-cultivation, deforestation, grazing and poor irrigation practices, leads to soil erosion. It
results in arid patches of land and desertification.
Increased urbanization also creates desertification.

Water logging and soil salinity:

These are the problems as a part of Green Revolution.
Irrigation without proper drainage of water leads to water logging in the soil.
It draws salt to the surface of the soil. The salt is deposited on the land surface or collects at the plant roots. This
damages the agriculture.

DEFORESTATION

It is the conversion of forested areas to non-forested ones.

Almost 40% forests have been lost in the tropics, compared to only 1% in the temperate region.
National Forest Policy (1988) of India has recommended 33% forest cover for the plains and 67% for the hills.
But we have only 19.4% of forest cover (it was about 30% at the beginning of 20th century).
Reasons of deforestation:
➢ Conversion of forest to agricultural land.
➢ For timber, firewood, cattle ranching etc.
➢ Slash & burn agriculture (Jhum cultivation) in the north-eastern states of India. In this, forest trees are
cut down and burn the plant remains. The ash is used as a fertiliser and the land is used for farming or
grazing. After cultivation, the area is left for several years for its recovery. In earlier days, enough time-gap
was given for recovery. Overpopulation & repeated cultivation decreased the recovery phase, resulting in
deforestation.
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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

Consequences of deforestation:
➢ Atmospheric CO2 is enhanced because trees that could hold a lot of carbon in their biomass are lost.
➢ Loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction.
➢ Disturbs hydrologic cycle.
➢ Soil erosion & Desertification.
Reforestation: The process of restoring a forest that once existed in the past. It may occur naturally in a deforested
area. We can speed it up by planting trees.

People’s Participation in Conservation of Forests

A. Bishnoi movement
In 1731, the king of Jodhpur in Rajasthan asked to arrange wood for constructing a new palace. The minister and
workers went to a forest near a village, inhabited by Bishnois. The Bishnois thwarted them from cutting down the
trees. A Bishnoi woman Amrita Devi hugged a tree. The king’s men cut down the tree along with Amrita Devi.
They also killed her three daughters and hundreds of Bishnois.
Government of India has instituted the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award for individuals or
communities from rural areas for extraordinary courage and dedication in protecting wildlife.
B. Chipko Movement of Garhwal Himalayas
In 1974, local women participated to protect trees from the axe of contractors by hugging them.
Government of India in 1980s introduced the concept of Joint Forest Management (JFM) to work closely with
the local communities for protecting and managing forests. In return for their services, the communities get benefit
of forest products (fruits, gum, rubber, medicine, etc.).

NCERT SOLUTIONS

Question 1: What are the various constituents of domestic sewage? Discuss the effects of sewage discharge
on a river.
ANSWER: Domestic sewage is the waste originating from the kitchen, toilet, laundry, and other sources. It
contains impurities such as suspended solid (sand, salt, clay), colloidal material (fecal matter, bacteria, plastic and
cloth fiber), dissolved materials (nitrate, phosphate, calcium, sodium, ammonia), and disease-causing microbes.
When organic wastes from the sewage enter the water bodies, it serves as a food source for micro-organisms such
as algae and bacteria. As a result, the population of these micro-organisms in the water body increases. Here, they
utilize most of the dissolved oxygen for their metabolism. This results in an increase in the levels of Biological
oxygen demand (BOD) in river water and results in the death of aquatic organisms. Also, the nutrients in the water
lead to the growth of planktonic algal, causing algal bloom. This causes deterioration of water quality and fish
mortality.

Question 2: List all the wastes that you generate, at home, school or during your Trips to other places, could
you very easily reduce? Which would be Difficult or rather impossible to reduce?
ANSWER: Wastes generated at home include plastic bags, paper napkin, toiletries, kitchen wastes (such as
peelings of vegetables and fruits, tea leaves), domestic sewage, glass, etc.
Wastes generated at schools include waste paper, plastics, vegetable and fruit peels, food wrappings, sewage etc.
Wastes generated at trips or picnics include plastic, paper, vegetable and fruit peels, disposable cups, plates,
spoons etc.
Yes, wastes can be easily reduced by the judicious use of the above materials. Wastage of paper can be minimized
by writing on both sides of the paper and by using recycled paper. Plastic and glass waste can also be reduced by
recycling and re-using. Also, substituting plastics bags with biodegradable jute bags can reduce wastes generated
at home, school, or during trips. Domestic sewage can be reduced by optimizing the use of water while bathing,
cooking, and other household activities.
Non- biodegradable wastes such as plastic, metal, broken glass, etc are difficult to decompose because micro-
organisms do not have the ability to decompose them.

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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

Question 3: Discuss the causes and effects of global warming. What measures need to be taken to control
global warming?
ANSWER: Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface.
Causes of global warming: Global warming occurs as a result of the increased concentration of greenhouse gases
in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour. These gases trap solar
radiations released back by the Earth. This helps in keeping our planet warm and thus, helps in human survival.
However, an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases can lead to an excessive increase in the Earth’s
temperature, leading to global warming. Global warming is a result of industrialization, burning of fossil fuels, and
deforestation.
Effects of global warming: Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s
surface. It has been observed that in the past three decades, the average temperature of the Earth has increased by
0.6ºC. As a result, the natural water cycle has been disturbed resulting in changes in the pattern of rainfall. It also
changes the amount of rain water. Also, it results in the melting of Polar ice caps and mountain glaciers, which has
caused a rise in the sea level, leading to the inundation of coastal regions.
Control measures for preventing global warming:
(i) Reducing the use of fossil fuels
(ii) Use of bio-fuels
(iii) Improving energy efficiency
(iv) Use of renewable source of energy such as CNG etc.
(v) Reforestation.
(vii) Recycling of materials

Question 4: Match the items given in column A and B:

Column A Column B
(a) Catalytic converter (i) Particulate matter
(b) Electrostatic precipitator (ii) Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides
(c) Earmuffs (iii) High noise level
(d) Landfills (iv) Solid wastes
ANSWER:
Column A Column B
(a) Catalytic converter (ii) Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides
(b) Electrostatic precipitator (i) Particulate matter
(c) Earmuffs (iii) High noise level
(d) Landfills (iv) Solid wastes

Question 5: Write critical notes on the following:

(a) Eutrophication
(b) Biological magnification
(c) Groundwater depletion and ways for its replenishment
ANSWER: (a) Eutrophication:- It is the natural ageing process of a lake caused due to nutrient enrichment. It is
brought down by the runoff of nutrients such as animal wastes, fertilizers, and sewage from land which leads to an
increased fertility of the lake. As a result, it causes a tremendous increase in the primary productivity of the
ecosystem. This leads to an increased growth of algae, resulting into algal blooms. Later, the decomposition of
these algae depletes the supply of oxygen, leading to the death of other aquatic animal life.
(b) Biological magnification: - To protect the crops from the several diseases and pests, a large number of
pesticides are used. These pesticides reach the soil and are absorbed by plants with water and minerals from the
soil. Due to rain, these chemicals can also enter water sources and into the body of aquatic plants and animals. As
a result, chemicals enter the food chain. Since these chemicals cannot be decomposed, they keep on accumulating
at each trophic level. The maximum concentration is accumulated at the top carnivore’s level. This increase in the
concentration of pollutants or harmful chemicals with an increase in the trophic level is called biological
magnification. For example, high DDT concentrations were found in a pond. The producers (phytoplankton) were
found to have 0.04 ppm concentration of DDT. Since many types of phytoplankton were eaten by zooplankton
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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

(consumers), the concentration of DDT in the bodies of zooplankton was found to be 0.23 ppm. Small fish that
feed on zooplankton accumulate more DDT in their body. Thus, large fish (top carnivore) that feed on several
small fish have the highest concentration of DDT.

(c) Ground water depletion and ways for its replenishment: - The level of ground water has decreased in the
recent years. The source of water supply is rapidly diminishing each year because of an increase in the population
and water pollution. To meet the demand of water, water is withdrawn from water bodies such as ponds, rivers etc.
As a result, the source of ground water is depleting. This is because the amount of groundwater being drawn for
human use is more than the amount replaced by rainfall. Lack of vegetation cover also results in very small amounts
of water seeping through the ground. An increase in water pollution is another factor that has reduced the
availability of ground water.
Measures for replenishing ground water:-
(i) Preventing over-exploitation of ground water
(ii) Optimizing water use and reducing water demand
(iii) Rain water harvesting
(iv) Preventing deforestation and plantation of more trees

Question 6: Why ozone hole forms over Antarctica? How will enhanced ultraviolet Radiations affect us?
ANSWER: The ozone hole is more prominent over the region of Antarctica. It is formed due to an increased
concentration of chlorine in the atmosphere.
Chlorine is mainly released from chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) widely used as refrigerants. The CFC’s magnate
from the troposphere to the stratosphere, where they release chlorine atoms by the action of UV rays on them. The
release of Chlorine atoms causes the conversion of ozone into molecular oxygen. One atom of chlorine can destroy
around 10,000 molecules of ozone and causes ozone depletion.
The formation of the ozone hole will result in an increased concentration of UV - B radiations on the Earth’s
surface. UV −B damages DNA and activates the process of skin ageing. It also causes skin darkening and skin
cancer. High levels of UV −B cause corneal cataract in human beings.

Question 7: Discuss the role of women and communities in protection and conservation of forests.
ANSWER: Women and communities have played a major role in environmental conservation movements.
(i) Case study of the bishnoi community: TheBishnoi community in Rajasthan strictly believes in the concept of
living peacefully with nature. In 1731, the king of Jodhpur ordered his ministers to arrange wood for the
construction of his new palace. For this purpose, the minister and the workers went to bishnoi village. There, a
Bishnoi woman called Amrita Devi along with her daughter and hundreds of other Bishnois showed the courage
to step forward and stop them from cutting trees. They embraced the trees and lost their lives at the hands of
soldiers of the king. This resistance by the people of the village forced the king to give up the idea of cutting trees.
(ii) Chipko movement: The Chipko movement was started in 1974 in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. In
this movement, the women from the village stopped the contractors from cutting forest trees by embracing them.

Question 8: What measures, as an individual, you would take to reduce environmental pollution?
ANSWER: The following initiatives can be taken to prevent environmental pollution:
Measures for preventing Air pollution:
(i) Planting more trees
(ii) Use of clean and renewable energy sources such as CNG and bio-fuels
(iii) Reducing the use of fossil fuels
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Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

(iv) Use of catalytic converters in automobiles

Measures for preventing water pollution:-
(i) Optimizing the use of water
(ii) Using kitchen waste water in gardening and other household purposes
Measures for controlling Noise pollution:-
(i) Avoid burning crackers on Diwali
(i) Plantation of more trees
Measures for decreasing solid waste generation:-
(i) Segregation of waste
(ii) Recycling and reuse of plastic and paper
(iii) Composting of biodegradable kitchen waste
(iv) Reducing the use of plastics

Question 9: Discuss briefly the following:

(a) Radioactive wastes, (b) Defunct ships and e-wastes, (c) Municipal solid wastes
ANSWER: (a) Radioactive wastes: - Radioactive wastes are generated during the process of generating nuclear
energy from radioactive materials. Nuclear waste is rich in radioactive materials that generate large quantities of
ionizing radiations such as gamma rays. These rays cause mutation in organisms, which often results in skin cancer.
At high dosage, these rays can be lethal.
Safe disposal of radioactive wastes is a big challenge. It is recommended that nuclear wastes should be stored after
pre-treatment in suitable shielded containers, which should then be buried in rocks.
(b) Defunct ships and e-wastes: - Defunct ships are dead ships that are no longer in use. Such ships are broken
down for scrap metal in countries such as India and Pakistan. These ships are a source of various toxicants such as
asbestos, lead, mercury etc. Thus, they contribute to solid wastes that are hazardous to health.
E-wastes or electronic wastes generally include electronic goods such as computers etc. Such wastes are rich in
metals such as copper, iron, silicon, gold etc. These metals are highly toxic and pose serious health hazards. People
of developing countries are involved in the recycling process of these metals and therefore, get exposed to toxic
substances present in these wastes.
(c) Municipal solid wastes: - Municipal solid wastes are generated from schools, offices, homes, and stores. It is
generally rich in glass, metal, paper waste, food, rubber, leather, and textiles. The open dumps of municipal wastes
serve as a breeding ground for flies, mosquitoes, and other disease-causing microbes. Hence, it is necessary to
dispose municipal solid waste properly to prevent the spreading of diseases. Sanitary landfills and incineration are
the methods for the safe disposal of solid wastes.
Question 10: What initiatives were taken for reducing vehicular air pollution in Delhi?
Has air quality improved in Delhi?
ANSWER: Delhi has been categorized as the fourth most polluted city of the world in a list of 41 cities. Burning
of fossil fuels has added to the pollution of air in Delhi.
Various steps have been taken to improve the quality of air in Delhi.
(a) Introduction of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas):By the orderof the supreme court of India, CNG-powered
vehicles were introduced at the end of year 2006 to reduce the levels of pollution in Delhi. CNG is a clean fuel that
produces very little unburnt particles.
(b) Phasing out of old vehicles
(c) Use of unleaded petrol
(d) Use of low-sulphur petrol and diesel
(e) Use of catalytic converters
(f) Application of stringent pollution-level norms for vehicles
(g) Implementation of Bharat stage I, which is equivalent to euro II norms in vehicles of major Indian cities.
The introduction of CNG-powered vehicles has improved Delhi’s air quality, which has lead to a substantial fall
in the level of CO2 and SO2. However, the problem of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respiratory
suspended particulate matter (RSPM) still persists.
Question 11: Discuss briefly the following:
(a) Greenhouse gases
(b) Catalytic converter
Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
Class XII Subject: Biology Chapter 16: Environmental Issues

(c) Ultraviolet B
ANSWER: (a) Greenhouse gases: - Thegreenhouse effect refers to an overall increase in the average temperature
of the Earth due to the presence of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases mainly consist of carbon dioxide, methane,
and water vapour. When solar radiations reach the Earth, some of these radiations are absorbed. These absorbed
radiations are released back into the atmosphere. These radiations are trapped by the greenhouse gases present in
the atmosphere.. This helps in keeping our planet warm and thus, helps in human survival. However, an increase
in the amount of greenhouse gases can lead to an excessive increase in the Earth’s temperature, thereby causing
global warming.
(b) Catalytic converter: - Catalytic converters are devices fitted in automobiles to reduce vehicular pollution.
These devices contain expensive metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium that act as catalysts. As the
vehicular discharge passes through the catalytic converter, the unburnt hydrocarbons present in it get converted
into carbon dioxide and water. Carbon monoxide and nitric oxide released by catalytic converters are converted
into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas (respectively).
(c) Ultraviolet-B: - Ultraviolet-B is an electromagnetic radiation which has a shorter wavelength than visible light.
It is a harmful radiation that comes from sunlight and penetrates through the ozone hole onto the Earth’s surface.
It induces many health hazards in humans. UV −B damages DNA and activates the process of skin ageing. It also
causes skin darkening and skin cancer. High levels of UV −B cause corneal cataract in human beings.

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Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone