Waste Management & Water Pollution

Statement 1 is correct: Nanoparticles from industry can pollute air, water, and soil due to their small size and resistance to breakdown. This buildup can harm plants, and animals, and even contaminate drinking water. Statement 2 is correct: Nanoparticles can be inadvertently ingested by plants or animals, entering the food chain. As they move up the food chain, they can bioaccumulate in organisms, potentially causing harm at higher trophic levels. Statement 3 is correct: Some nanoparticles can trigger the production of free radicals in cells. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage cells and contribute to various health problems, including inflammation and cancer.

Statement 1 is correct: This is a major threat. Dams fragment the river habitat, hinder migration patterns, and can disrupt prey availability for the dolphins. Statement 2 is incorrect: While competition might exist, it's not a cause of decline. A healthy river ecosystem can support both dolphins and crocodiles. Statement 3 is correct: This is a significant threat, as dolphins can get caught in fishing gear and drown. Statement 4 is correct: Runoff from agricultural lands can pollute rivers with pesticides and fertilizers. These pollutants can harm the dolphins' health and prey species. Thus 1,3, and 4 are the causes of the decline in the Ganga River Dolphins.

Thermal Power: ~88% of annual industrial water consumption
Engineering: ~5% of annual industrial water consumption
Paper & Pulp: ~2.3% of annual industrial water consumption
Textiles: ~2% of annual industrial water consumption Industrial water consumption does not include water consumption of agriculture sector.

Arsenic, fluoride, and uranium are naturally occurring elements that can leach into groundwater in some regions of India. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol not typically found as a pollutant in drinking water. Formaldehyde is a synthetic compound used in various industrial processes and is not a common contaminant in groundwater.

Out of the listed elements, the following are released into the environment due to improper e-waste disposal: 1. Beryllium
2. Cadmium
3. Chromium
5. Mercury
6. Lead Here's why these elements are found in e-waste and why the others are not: Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, and Lead: These are all heavy metals commonly used in various electronic components like circuit boards, batteries, and monitors. Improper disposal of e-waste can cause these toxic materials to leach into the soil and water, posing environmental and health risks. Heptachlor: This is an organic compound historically used as an insecticide. While it may have been present in some older electronic equipment, it's not a typical component of modern electronics and wouldn't be a major concern in e-waste disposal. Plutonium: This is a radioactive element primarily used in nuclear weapons and reactors. It's not a component of electronic devices and wouldn't be present in e-waste. So, the answer should not contain 4 and 7.