14 Environmental

Chemistry

Question:

For your agricultural field or garden you have developed a compost producing pit. Discuss the process in the light of bad odour, flies and recycling of wastes for a good produce .

Answer:

  1. Compost producing pits are a great way to recycle organic wastes for agricultural or garden use.
  2. To reduce bad odours, it is important to ensure that the composting mixture is well aerated and turned regularly. This will help to reduce the smell and also speed up the composting process.
  3. To reduce flies, the composting mixture should be covered with a tarp or other material to prevent flies from accessing the material.
  4. The composting mixture should be made up of a balanced combination of green and brown materials. Green materials are high in nitrogen and provide the energy needed for the composting process, while brown materials are high in carbon and provide the necessary structure for the compost.
  5. The compost should be turned regularly to ensure that all the material is being composted properly.
  6. The compost should be allowed to mature for several weeks before it is used in the garden or field. This will help to ensure that all the nutrients are released and the compost is ready for use.

Question:

Statues and monuments in India are affected by acid rain. How?

Answer:

  1. Acid rain is caused when pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide are released into the atmosphere. These pollutants react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form acids.

  2. When acid rain falls on statues and monuments in India, the acids can corrode the stone and metal surfaces, causing them to deteriorate over time.

  3. The acidity of the rain can also cause the colors on the statues and monuments to fade, as the acidity can cause the pigments to break down.

  4. Additionally, acid rain can cause staining and discoloration on the statues and monuments, making them look dull and dingy.

Question:

What are the major causes of water pollution? Explain.

Answer:

  1. The major causes of water pollution are point-source pollution, non-point source pollution, and atmospheric deposition.

  2. Point-source pollution is pollution that is released from a single source, such as a factory, sewage treatment plant, or an oil spill. It is the most easily identifiable form of water pollution, and can have a significant impact on aquatic life and water quality.

  3. Non-point source pollution is pollution that comes from multiple sources, such as runoff from farms, lawns, and construction sites. This type of pollution is more difficult to identify and track, and can be caused by many different activities.

  4. Atmospheric deposition is pollution that is released into the atmosphere and then deposited into bodies of water. This type of pollution can come from many sources, including industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and natural sources such as dust and ash.

  5. All of these sources of water pollution can lead to a decrease in water quality, and can have a negative impact on aquatic life, drinking water, and recreational activities.

Question:

What do you mean by Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)?

Answer:

Answer:

  1. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a measure of the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to break down organic matter in a given body of water.
  2. It is used to measure the amount of organic pollution in a water body and is an important factor in water quality management.
  3. BOD is measured by placing a sample of water in a sealed container and allowing the microorganisms to decompose the organic matter.
  4. The amount of oxygen used by the microorganisms is then measured over a period of five days, and the BOD is calculated by subtracting the amount of oxygen at the end of the test period from the amount of oxygen at the beginning of the test period.

Question:

What are pesticides and herbicides? Explain with examples.

Answer:

Pesticides and herbicides are chemicals used to kill or control certain types of plants and animals that are considered to be pests. Examples of pesticides include insecticides, which are used to kill insects, and fungicides, which are used to control fungus growth. Examples of herbicides include weed killers, which are used to control the growth of weeds, and plant growth regulators, which are used to control the growth of certain types of plants.

Question:

What do you mean by green chemistry? How will it help decrease environmental pollution?

Answer:

  1. Green chemistry is a set of principles and practices that seek to reduce or eliminate the use and production of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture, and application of chemical products.

  2. Green chemistry seeks to reduce environmental pollution by creating processes and products that are less harmful to the environment. This is accomplished by using renewable resources, minimizing energy use, and reducing waste. Additionally, green chemistry seeks to create more efficient processes that produce fewer hazardous by-products.

Question:

What would have happened if the green house gases were totally missing in the earth’s atmosphere? Discuss.

Answer:

  1. Greenhouse gases are important components of the Earth’s atmosphere, as they help to keep the planet warm by trapping heat. Without these gases, the Earth would be much colder and less hospitable to life.

  2. Without greenhouse gases, the Earth’s average temperature would drop significantly, reducing the amount of energy available to support life. This would lead to a decrease in biodiversity and an overall decrease in the variety of species inhabiting the planet.

  3. The lack of greenhouse gases would also have a negative effect on the hydrological cycle. Without the trapping of heat, there would be less evaporation and less precipitation, leading to droughts and water shortages in many areas.

  4. In addition, the lack of greenhouse gases would cause the Earth’s atmosphere to become thinner and less dense. This would result in less protection from harmful radiation from the Sun, which could cause further damage to the environment.

  5. Finally, the lack of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere would also lead to a decrease in the amount of carbon dioxide available for plants to use for photosynthesis. This would further reduce biodiversity and affect the food chain, leading to a decrease in the number of species inhabiting the planet.

Question:

How can domestic waste be used as manure?

Answer:

Step 1: Separate organic waste from non-organic waste.

Step 2: Compost the organic waste.

Step 3: Mix the composted organic waste with soil to create a nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Step 4: Use the fertilizer to nourish plants and crops.

Question:

Define environmental chemistry.

Answer:

Step 1: Environmental chemistry is the study of the chemical and biochemical processes that occur in natural environments.

Step 2: It includes the study of the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species in the air, water, and soil; and the effect of human activity on these systems.

Question:

Explain ’tropospheric pollution’ in 100 words or less.

Answer:

Tropospheric pollution is the contamination of the Earth’s atmosphere, or troposphere, by human-made pollutants. It is caused by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, as well as emissions from factories, cars, and other sources of combustion. These pollutants create smog, acid rain, and ozone depletion, which can have serious impacts on human health, ecosystems, and the climate. Tropospheric pollution is the leading cause of air pollution worldwide, and is a major contributor to global warming. Reducing emissions from these sources is essential to reduce the effects of tropospheric pollution.

Question:

List the gases which are responsible for greenhouse effect.

Answer:

  1. The primary gases responsible for the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor (H2O), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3).

  2. Other gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect include sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

  3. In addition, some naturally occurring gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can also contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Question:

Have you ever observed any water pollution in your area? What measures would you suggest to control it ?

Answer:

Step 1: Analyze the question. This question is asking the respondent to reflect on whether or not they have seen water pollution in their area and what measures they would recommend to control it.

Step 2: Think about your answer. Consider if you have seen water pollution in your area and what measures you would suggest to control it.

Step 3: Answer the question. Yes, I have seen water pollution in my area. I would suggest implementing stricter regulations on industrial waste disposal, increasing public awareness of the issue, and investing in water treatment facilities to reduce the amount of contaminants entering the water supply.

Question:

Carbon monoxide gas is more dangerous than carbon dioxide gas. Why?

Answer:

  1. Carbon monoxide gas is more dangerous than carbon dioxide gas because it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be harmful even in small amounts.

  2. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it is toxic to humans and animals. It can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even death if inhaled in large enough concentrations.

  3. Carbon dioxide gas, on the other hand, is not toxic to humans and animals. It is a natural byproduct of respiration and is essential for plant growth.

  4. Carbon monoxide is more dangerous than carbon dioxide because it binds to hemoglobin in the blood more easily than oxygen, preventing the body from getting enough oxygen. This can lead to serious health problems, including death.

Question:

What is smog? How is classical smog different from photo chemical smog?

Answer:

Step 1: Smog is a type of air pollution. It is a mixture of smoke and fog that can cause respiratory and other health issues.

Step 2: Classical smog is a type of smog caused by the burning of coal and other fossil fuels. It is a combination of smoke, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants.

Step 3: Photo chemical smog is a type of smog caused by the chemical reaction of sunlight with pollutants from cars, factories, and other sources. It is composed of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and other chemicals.

Question:

What are the harmful effects of photochemical smog and how can they be controlled?

Answer:

Step 1: Understand what photochemical smog is.

Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution caused by the reaction of sunlight with nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere.

Step 2: Identify the harmful effects of photochemical smog.

The harmful effects of photochemical smog include: increased risk of respiratory illnesses, reduced visibility, acid rain, and damage to crops and vegetation.

Step 3: Identify ways to control photochemical smog.

Ways to control photochemical smog include: reducing vehicle emissions, using cleaner burning fuels, using renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, and planting more trees.

Question:

What are the reactions involved for ozone layer depletion in the stratosphere?

Answer:

  1. The main reaction involved in ozone layer depletion in the stratosphere is the catalytic reaction between ozone (O3) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

  2. When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they are broken down by ultraviolet radiation into chlorine atoms.

  3. The chlorine atoms then react with ozone molecules in the stratosphere to form chlorine monoxide (ClO) and oxygen (O2):

O3 + Cl → ClO + O2

  1. The chlorine monoxide then reacts with another ozone molecule to form two molecules of oxygen and a single chlorine atom:

ClO + O3 → O2 + Cl

  1. The chlorine atom can then react with another ozone molecule, continuing the cycle:

Cl + O3 → O2 + ClO

Question:

What do you mean by ozone hole? What are its consequences?

Answer:

Answer:

Ozone hole refers to a depleted area in the stratospheric ozone layer. It is caused by certain human-made chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), that break down ozone molecules in the atmosphere.

The consequences of the ozone hole include increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, which can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and other health problems in humans and animals. It can also damage crops and other plants, as well as disrupt marine food webs. In addition, the ozone hole has been linked to changes in global climate patterns, such as increased temperatures and altered wind patterns.

Question:

Do you observe any soil pollution in your neighbourhood? What efforts will you make for controlling the soil pollution?

Answer:

Step 1: Analyze the current level of soil pollution in your neighbourhood. This can include looking at the state of the soil, the presence of any contaminants, and any other signs of pollution.

Step 2: Identify the sources of soil pollution in your neighbourhood. This can include industrial activities, agricultural activities, and other sources of contamination.

Step 3: Develop a plan to reduce or eliminate the sources of soil pollution in your neighbourhood. This can include implementing regulations and laws, encouraging sustainable practices, and implementing pollution control technologies.

Step 4: Implement the plan to reduce or eliminate the sources of soil pollution in your neighbourhood. This can include working with local businesses, farmers, and other stakeholders to reduce or eliminate the sources of soil pollution.

Step 5: Monitor the progress of the plan to reduce or eliminate the sources of soil pollution in your neighbourhood. This can include regularly testing the soil for contaminants and other signs of pollution.

Step 6: Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan to reduce or eliminate the sources of soil pollution in your neighbourhood. This can include measuring the impact on the environment, public health, and the local economy.

Step 7: Make adjustments to the plan as needed to ensure that the sources of soil pollution in your neighbourhood are being reduced or eliminated. This can include implementing additional regulations, encouraging sustainable practices, and implementing pollution control technologies.

Question:

A large number of fishes are suddenly found floating dead on a lake. There is no evidence of toxic dumping but you find an abundance of phytoplankton. Suggest a reason for the fish kill.

Answer:

  1. Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that are an important component of the aquatic food chain.
  2. When there is an abundance of phytoplankton, it can lead to an increase in dissolved oxygen in the water.
  3. This can lead to an increase in the water’s temperature, which can be stressful for the fish.
  4. If the temperature increase is too drastic, the fish may experience a rapid decrease in oxygen, leading to a fish kill.

Question:

Write down the reactions involved during the formation of photo chemical smog.

Answer:

  1. Oxidation of hydrocarbons (HCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight: HC + O2 + sunlight → CO2 + H2O + other oxidized products NO + O2 + sunlight → NO2

  2. Reaction of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with hydrocarbons (HCs): NO2 + HC → HNO3 + other oxidized products

  3. Reaction of ozone (O3) with hydrocarbons (HCs): O3 + HC → O2 + other oxidized products

  4. Reaction of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with ozone (O3): NO2 + O3 → NO + O2

  5. Reaction of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with other nitrogen oxides (NOx): NO2 + NO → NO3 + O2

01 Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry

02 Structure of Atom

03 Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

04 Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

05 States of Matter Gases and Liquids

06 Thermodynamics

07 Equilibrium

08 Redox Reactions

09 Hydrogen

10 The s block elements

11 Some p block elements

12 Organic Chemistry some basic principles and techniques

13 Hydrocarbons

14 Environmental