NCERT Solution for Class 10 Science Chapter 15
Our Environment,
NCERT Books for Session 2022-2023
CBSE Board and UP Board
Exercises Questions
Page No-265
Questions No-8
If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, will this have no impact on the environment?
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While having all waste be biodegradable would certainly be an improvement over the current situation, it doesn’t mean there would be no environmental impact. Biodegradable waste, if not managed properly, can still contribute to environmental problems. Here are some considerations:
1. Land Use and Decomposition Time:
. Even biodegradable waste takes time to decompose, and during this process, it may release gases and leachate that can impact the environment. Large-scale disposal of biodegradable waste can still require significant land use for composting or landfilling.
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
. The decomposition of organic matter in biodegradable waste can produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. While methane is less persistent in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, it has a higher short-term impact on global warming.
3. Soil and Water Quality:
. Improper disposal or management of biodegradable waste can lead to soil and water pollution. If organic waste breaks down in an anaerobic (low oxygen) environment, it may produce harmful byproducts that can contaminate soil and water.
4. Resource Use in Composting:
. Large-scale composting of biodegradable waste requires energy and resources. If not managed sustainably, this process can contribute to environmental impact.
5. Landfill Space:
. While biodegradable waste will eventually break down in landfills, it can still take up space and contribute to the overall volume of waste. Landfilling, even of biodegradable waste, is not an ideal long-term solution.
To minimize the environmental impact of waste, it’s crucial to implement comprehensive waste management strategies, including:
. Source Reduction: Encourage the reduction of overall waste generation through practices such as reusing, recycling, and reducing packaging.
. Composting: Promote the composting of organic waste to turn it into valuable soil amendments. Properly managed composting can minimize the release of methane and produce nutrient-rich compost.
. Waste-to-Energy: Explore technologies that can convert biodegradable waste into energy, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels.
. Education and Awareness: Informing the public about responsible waste disposal practices, recycling, and the environmental impact of different waste types is essential.
In summary, while having all waste be biodegradable is a positive step, proper waste management practices are still necessary to ensure minimal environmental impact. Sustainable waste management involves a combination of waste reduction, recycling, composting, and responsible disposal.
Even if all the waste we generate is biodegradable, it will have an impact on the environment. This is because too much biodegradable waste cannot be broken down into harmless simpler substances by the decomposers like micro-organisms at the right time. Due to this, the biodegradable wastes will go on accumulating in the environment and act as pollutants resulting in harmful effects on the environment. For example, the rotting biodegradable waste act as breeding grounds for flies and cockroaches, etc., which spread diseases. Moreover, the rotting biodegradable waste emit foul smell in the environment which makes the life of people miserable.
If all the waste we generate is biodegradable, it will also have impact on the environment If it is disposed off properly, the problem of air, water and soil pollution can be lessened to an extent. There would be less health problems and humans would be disease-free But if it is not disposed off properly, it will affect the environment adversely.
Biodegradable wastes are decomposed by microorganisms into simpler substances themselves and provide raw materials for producers, but they also have adverse effects on the environment:
• Slow decomposition of biodegradable waste will result in the release of foul smell and harmful gases. When inhaled by human beings, they may cause irritation, nausea, giddiness, etc.
• Decomposing waste provides breeding ground for some harmful organisms. Abundance of harmful microorganisms may cause diseases in animals, plants and human beings.
• Increase in the number of microorganisms in aquatic medium will- cause oxygen deficiency in waterbodies.
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