Waste Management & Water Pollution

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in E-waste Management Rules, 2011 Makes producers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) responsible for the collection and channelization of e-waste after its end-of-life. This promotes responsible production and encourages proper e-waste disposal. EPR in Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 Extends the EPR principle to plastic waste. Producers, importers, and brand owners are accountable for managing plastic packaging waste after consumption.

Because of their small size, marine animals like fish, shellfish, and plankton can easily ingest microbeads. These plastic particles can block their digestive systems, leading to starvation or death. Additionally, microbeads might absorb pollutants and toxins present in the water, concentrating them in the food chain and potentially harming larger predators, including humans.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Sand mining in riverbeds does not directly affect the salinity levels in the river water. Salinity is primarily influenced by factors like the inflow of saline water from the sea or other sources, dissolution of salts from surrounding rocks and soil and anthropogenic activities like irrigation return flows and industrial discharge. Statement 2 is correct: Sand plays a crucial role in natural filtration, helping to remove impurities from water percolating through riverbeds. Excessive sand removal can disrupt this filtration process, allowing pollutants to seep into groundwater, increase turbidity, making water more susceptible to contamination, expose toxic substances previously trapped in sediments. It can: Statement 3 also correct: Excessive sand mining can significantly disrupt the hydrological balance of a river system.
- Reduce water-holding capacity of riverbeds, leading to lower groundwater recharge.
- Cause river incision, deepening the riverbed and lowering adjacent groundwater levels.
- Affect agriculture and drinking water sources, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Hence, the correct answer is option (b) 2 and 3 only.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for assessing the quality of water. Microbial activity: BOD measures the amount of dissolved oxygen used by microorganisms (like bacteria) as they decompose organic matter in water. Pollution indicator: Higher BOD indicates a greater presence of organic matter, often suggesting pollution from sources like sewage, animal waste, or decaying plants. Aquatic life impact: Excessive organic matter decomposition can deplete oxygen levels in water, harming aquatic life that depends on dissolved oxygen for survival. Therefore, BOD serves as a valuable tool for monitoring water quality and identifying potential pollution issues.

Bioremediation is a technique that utilizes living organisms, primarily microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, to remove or neutralize contaminants from polluted environments. It essentially harnesses and accelerates natural biodegradation processes for environmental cleanup. Statement 1 (correct): This accurately describes a key advantage of bioremediation. It leverages and accelerates natural biodegradation processes by introducing suitable microorganisms or optimizing environmental conditions. Statement 2 (incorrect): Bioremediation can be effective for many contaminants but not all. Heavy metals like cadmium and lead are often not readily broken down or removed completely. They might be transformed or immobilized, but not necessarily eliminated. Statement 3 (correct): Genetic engineering offers a promising approach for developing microorganisms with enhanced capabilities for bioremediation. These engineered microbes can target specific pollutants or work more efficiently in challenging environments.

Statement 1 is correct. National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is the financing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and coordinating authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the Jal Shakti Ministry. Statement 2 is correct. The mission of the organisation is to safeguard the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by protecting it from pollution or overuse. In July 2014, the NGRBA has been transferred from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Prime Minister is the chair of the Authority.
Other members include the cabinet ministers of ministries that include the Ganges among their direct concerns and the chief ministers of states through which the Ganges River flows.

Drip irrigation is an efficient water delivery system that applies water directly to the roots of plants through a network of tubes, emitters, and valves. It is widely used to conserve water, improve crop yields, and prevent soil degradation. Statement 1 is correct: Drip irrigation delivers water precisely at the plant's root zone, reducing the moisture available on the soil surface. Since weeds typically thrive in moist topsoil, limiting water exposure to non-target areas helps suppress their growth. This makes weed control easier compared to traditional irrigation methods like flooding or sprinklers, which wet the entire field. Statement 2 is incorrect: Soil salinity refers to the accumulation of salts in the soil, which can hinder plant growth. While drip irrigation helps manage water efficiently, it does not directly reduce salinity. However, it can be combined with strategic flushing techniques (applying extra water at intervals) to push salts below the root zone, preventing salt buildup in the upper soil layers. Statement 3 is correct: Drip irrigation releases water slowly and in a controlled manner, reducing surface runoff that can lead to soil erosion. Unlike traditional flood irrigation, which can wash away the topsoil, drip irrigation preserves soil structure and fertility, making it a sustainable choice for agriculture.
Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers actually reduces the need for nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in the soil. Plants can readily utilize the added nitrogen, so these microbes wouldn't need to fix atmospheric nitrogen for the plants' benefit. Statement 2 is correct: Nitrogenous fertilizers can release acidic compounds as they break down in the soil, leading to increased soil acidity. Statement 3 is correct: When applied in excess, nitrogen fertilizers (especially nitrates) can be easily washed away by rain or irrigation water. This can contaminate groundwater sources.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The bio-toilets actually utilize bacteria, not fungi, to decompose human waste. These bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they function in an oxygen-free environment within the bio-digester tank. Statement 2 is incorrect: The end products of decomposition in the bio-toilets are not just ammonia and water vapor. The process generates a combination of:
* Treated water: This water undergoes chlorination before being released. * Methane: This gas is released in small amounts and vents into the atmosphere. * Sludge: A minimal amount of solid residue remains after decomposition. Therefore, the correct answer is None of the above.

Statement 1 is correct: Fly ash finds various applications in construction, including brick manufacturing. Its pozzolanic properties improve the strength and durability of bricks.
Statement 2 is correct: Fly ash can partially replace Portland cement in concrete mixes. It reacts with the hydration byproducts of cement to form additional cementitious materials, leading to benefits like improved workability, reduced heat of hydration, and enhanced concrete performance.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Fly ash primarily consists of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and calcium oxide (CaO). However, it may also contain trace amounts of heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and chromium.