NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology Environmental Issues [Old Book]

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th

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Class : 12th
Subject : Biology
Chapter : 16
Chapter Name : Environmental Issues

Q1 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 ber), 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 microorganisms such as algae and bacteria. As a result, the
population of these microorganisms 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 sh mortality.

Q2 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 Dif cult 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 reusing. 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 dif cult to decompose
because micro-organisms do not have the ability to decompose them.

Q3 Discuss the causes and effects of global warming. What measures need to be taken to control
global warming?

Answer. Global warming is de ned 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 de ned 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 0.60C. 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 ef ciency
(iv) Recycling of materials

Q4 Match the items given in column A and B:

Answer.

Q5 Write critical notes on the following:
(a) Eutrophication
(b) Biological magni cation
(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 magni cation: — 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 magni cation. 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 (consumers), the concentration of DDT in the bodies
of zooplankton was found to be 0.23 ppm. Small sh that feed on zooplankton accumulate more
DDT in their body. Thus, large sh (top carnivore) that feed on several small sh 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

Q6 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
chloro uorocarbons (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.

Q7 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: The Bishnoi 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.

Q8 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
(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

Q9 Discuss brie y 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, of ces, 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 ies, mosquitoes, and other
disease-causing microbes. Hence, it is necessary to dispose municipal solid waste properly to
prevent the spreading of diseases. Sanitary land lls and incineration are the methods for the safe
disposal of solid wastes.

Q10 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 order of 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 l, 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 C02 and S02. However, the problem of suspended
particulate matter

Q11 Discuss brie y the following:
(a) Greenhouse gases
(b) Catalytic converter
(c) Ultraviolet B

Answer. (a) Greenhouse gases: — The Greenhouse 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 tted 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.